Districts across Tennessee remove books from school libraries
Wilson County has a list of 425 books that are no longer allowed to appear in school libraries there. Rutherford and Williamson counties recently announced they are banning or restricting access to certain books. And Knox County banned 48 books.
There’s sure to be more as districts address the requirements of the “Age Appropriate Materials Act” passed by the General Assembly.
All this focus on book banning seems to be a solution in search of a problem.
TN is a state that ranks near the bottom in funding for and investment in schools. We have nearly $9 billion worth of unfunded school infrastructure projects. Our state’s teachers earn among the lowest salaries in the Southeast.
But, at least the books noted above won’t be available in school libraries anymore.
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Any person who wants to buy any book can. This is not book banning. The books are just being removed from access to minors. I teach in a high school in Knoxville and was disgusted when I actually read Gender Queer! This book is pornographic! Stop trying to destroy the reputation of anyone who expresses concern about what kids are being exposed to. Your tactics are no longer working.
Hi, Cat – Thanks for taking the time to share your experience. I’m not trying to “destroy” the reputation of anyone – just noting (and reporting on a report) about what’s happening – districts like Knox County are removing access (banning from the school libraries) a number of books – not just “Gender Queer,” a book you find problematic – but a whole range of other books – more than 400 in Wilson County (links to banned/removed books are included in the original piece) – Are there some books that may not be appropriate even for high school students? Sure – but it is also true that the list of books removed includes many that simply make people “uncomfortable” – Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse Five comes to mind or Shel Silverstein’s “A Light in the Attic” –
Thank you, again, for sharing your experience – I’m hopeful that through respectful sharing, we can learn and come together.