Kansas Becomes 2nd State to Remove Books From School Libraries
A Kansas school district has removed more than two dozen books from its library shelves to review them after other school systems challenged the material.
The books that have been removed from circulation in the Goddard school district also include “The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood; “The Bluest Eye” by Toni Morrison; “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” by Stephen Chbosky; “Fences,” a play by August Wilson that won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1987; and “They Called Themselves the K.K.K.,” a historical look at how the white supremacist group took root in America.
The movement to censor what some parents see as “controversial” material has been gaining traction in conservative circles as of late. A Texas lawmaker went as far as to compile a list of 850 books he found objectionable.
The Associated Press, quoting local Kansas news station KMUW-FM, reported that the assistant superintendent for academic affairs in Goddard said Tuesday that one parent objected to language he found offensive in “The Hate U Give,” a novel about the aftermath of a police officer killing a Black teenager. The parent then submitted a list of books he questioned, and district officials agreed to halt checkouts and complete a review.
If any Goddard, Kansas, teenager wants to read one of these books, DM me, and I'll buy it for you.https://t.co/5ScajOqTGz
— Daniel A. Hoyt (@dan_hoyt) November 9, 2021
“We’re not banning these books or anything like that as a district,” said Assistant Superintendent Julie Cannizzo. “It was just brought to our attention that that list of books may have content that’s unsuitable for children.”
It's not a moral panic. We're just banning prize-winning books relating to race, gender or sexuality from school libraries. https://t.co/rOZX39nh7f pic.twitter.com/cuqZOIfTP5
— Don Moynihan (@donmoyn) November 10, 2021
The AP reports that Cannizzo sent an email to principals and librarians last week that said the district is assembling a committee to “rate the content of the books on the list” and to review the selection process. She did not say how long the process is expected to take. Cannizzo also said she plans to meet with school librarians this week, but she wouldn’t say when or if the books would return to circulation.
.@USD265_Goddard is removing *29* books from circulation — for review on whether they meet the district's "educational goals".
These books include Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison, The Hate U Give, Handmaid's Tale and Perks of Being a Wallflower. https://t.co/rXjyaYJKB8
— Stefania Lugli (@steflugli) November 10, 2021
“We haven’t even evaluated these books,” she said. “I couldn’t even tell you what these books have in them or why someone may find them offensive or not.”
if ur non-black and haven’t read “the hate u give,” i highly suggest you find the time to.
great insight on systemic racism especially regarding predominantly black communities along with police brutality, and it’s all from the perspective of a 16 year old black girl.
— ًkyzer day 11/11 😭😭🤷🏾💯‼️ (@iwagender) November 3, 2021
The AP says this approach appears to be in conflict with a district policy for challenging textbooks, library books, or instructional materials. Approved in 2016, the policy states: “Challenged materials shall not be removed from use during the review period.” Jaime Prothro, Wichita’s director of libraries, said there’s been an increase in challenges to library purchases nationwide. Prothro said she can’t speak specifically to issues at play in Goddard or other districts. But she worries that current debates over books could limit access to diverse stories and experiences. “That one family may choose not to read something does not determine whether or not it’s appropriate for another family,” she said.
Remember how right wingers huffed that just because they don’t want their kids reading Toni Morrison or the biography of Ruby Bridges and want to both-sides the Holocaust etc. doesn’t mean they’re book banners? So … it turns out they’re book BURNERS too. https://t.co/aaEQHU5Y4g
— Joy-Ann (Pro-Democracy) Reid 😷 (@JoyAnnReid) November 11, 2021