Put the books back out, Beaufort schools. Learning about others should never be banned
It’s time to take the Bible out of Beaufort County school libraries.
That book is rated XXX.
What if kids read about Sodom and Gomorrah and the goings on there? What if they read about prostitutes Rahab, Mary Magdeline, and, maybe the worst of all, Gomer the harlot? Lord knows what will happen if they read about Onan “spilling his seed on the ground.”
And to think, a group of parents missed it in their list of 97 books they want removed from schools for being “adult rated.”
Mary Dimitrov of The Island Packet reported on the parents’ request to remove the books.
Of course, suggesting that the Bible be removed is sarcastic, which is what the parents’ request to remove the 97 books deserve. Such a request can hardly be taken as a serious attempt to protect children. The request is actually a not-so-thinly veiled attempt to impose conservative ideas on gender and morality — an attempt that can actually harm trans and gay youth.
The Beaufort County school district voluntarily removed the 97 books for review after hearing about concerns from a parent, the district said. It’s not clear if it was one parent or a few, but it sounds like a vocal minority, maybe even a tiny one, is calling for these books to be removed. District officials can’t set a precedent of letting an angry little group force them into making decisions that affect thousands of students.
Some of the books the parents want banned center on gay and trans youth such as “All Boys Aren’t Blue” and “Almost Perfect.” Other deal with race such as “The Bluest Eye” by Toni Morrison, a Nobel Prize recipient for literature, and “I am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter.”
Like “The Bluest Eye,” some of the books have been out for decades. Science fiction and fantasy novels are included, such as “The Handmaid’s Tale,” which contains themes of gender roles.
Why should Beaufort County schools take these books off shelves? Because they have sex in them? Sex is part of life, and it’s definitely part of many teenagers’ lives. Is it because they deal with trans and gay youth? Why shouldn’t they be represented on the shelves? Is it because these books are too “adult.” Some high schoolers are 18 and 19 years old. They can join the military but can’t read certain books?
These parents aren’t just requesting that these books disappear, they’re requesting that trans, gay and outspoken brown kids disappear.
It is well documented that trans and gay youth experience more mental health issues and suicide than others. Ostracizing trans and gay youth by taking any of their representation out of libraries only act to deepen the issues they face.
As quick as the school district removed the books, it should put them back on the shelves. The ability to learn about other people and other perspectives should never be taken away from youth.
This supposed “group” of parents aren’t just oppressing gay, trans and youth of color while also taking away learning opportunities. These parents are also denying kids a chance to escape into the amazing worlds of some science fiction and fantasy books and to expand their imagination.
If these parents really wanted to protect their kids, they would read these books with their children and discuss their contents. Maybe the could read that part in the Bible that says “Love thy neighbor.”
Don’t these parents know that nothing makes a kid want something more than saying it’s bad for you, that it’s evil and that it should be banned?
This story was originally published October 27, 2022 at 7:30 AM.