School Board Book Banning

From Linda Fussell, who will be presenting our 2nd Hour on Sunday, March 12:

Thank you to all who attended the School Board meeting on Monday, 2/20.  As you are probably aware, all three books were voted down and are now banned from school libraries.  The decisions are disappointing to say the least, but this effort is far from over.  Here are some important steps you can take to help combat censorship in our schools.

  1. Sign up to serve on the District Materials Committee to review books.  The more “open” minded people on these committees the better.  Word is now out about the committees and those who wish to shut down books are applying too.  Please contact Media Services Dept. @ Ph: (850) 595-0030 x290.
  2. Call and email your school board member.Let them know you are disappointed in the decision to ban three books from our school libraries.  Kevin Adams (District 1) needs to hear from people who do not sound like him!  David Williams (District 3) is new and needs to hear from citizens regarding his vote.  You can call/email all the board members because their decision impacts all students.  https://go.boarddocs.com/fl/escambia/Board.nsf/vpublic?open.

 

  1. Use this link to see the books that have been challenged.  If you have read any of them, go to the Community Input Column and add your feedback.  https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1hv6Wtu55zY3t5bmbksY2ie7Q-L3zAQdjrtaFh4duLC4/edit#gid=0

  1. Consider writing a letter to the editor of the PNJ.  The Opinion page of the PNJ is the most widely read section of the newspaper and only appears now in the Sunday edition.  It is an important tool in spreading the word about the book bans.  200 word max. https://static.pnj.com/submitletter/

  1. Make plans now to attend the March 20 School Board Meeting.  The next round of books for appeal will be heard that evening.  Put it on your calendar and bring a friend and plan to speak.

  1. Join the Florida Freedom to Read Project Facebook Page (Private).  This is a private Facebook group started by three moms in the Orlando area to combat censorship in Florida.  You have to answer questions to join the group.  It provides a good bit of information and explanation of the laws that affect the school libraries throughout Florida.

Ideas to Expand on when speaking, writing, calling School Board members:  

  • The Board has ignored the recommendations of the District Committee four times, why don’t they follow the recommendations?  The Committee members have read the book, reviewed the laws involved, reviewed the School Board policy and have reached a decision after thoughtful discussion.  The Committee is definitely more well versed in the information about the book than the School Board.  Why not follow the recommendations.
  • A small, vocal minority using religious overtones, scripture readings and inflammatory references to “pornography and obscenity are attempting to control the narrative around book censorship.
  • A parent in Escambia County already has the right to opt their child out of using the library or limiting certain books or having an alternative assignment if there is an objection to content, they should use it rather than prevent others from having information.
  • The book challenges present specific agendas that are strongly anti-LBGTQ, racist and discriminatory in origin.
  • Many of the people speaking against books DO NOT HAVE STUDENTS IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM, and they want to control those students in the public schools.
  • School Boards need to support teachers and media specialists in the district.  This constant assault on them will lead to a greater loss of a qualified, certified workforce, which endangers our students.  Be the voice for all teachers and media specialists, they cannot speak for fear of losing their jobs, many are not tenured.

I’ll stop here as I can go on and on, but you get the idea.

Thank you again for your time to this issue.