This week is banned books week. I'm always surprised at the most challenged books list from the previous year, and in 2016 Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell and Looking for Alaska by John Green are on the list. I've read both, and I love them!
I don't blog about politics, mainly because I am sick and tired of everything being politicized. I think it's nothing but evil trying to divide us. Trust me, you can find common ground with anyone if you try.
However, I felt compelled to share the following story with you, my dear readers, because it is important.
Our First Lady recently donated several Dr. Seuss books to an elementary school in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The crazy ass librarian SENT THEM BACK stating that, and I quote:
Seuss’s illustrations are “steeped in racist propaganda, caricatures, and harmful stereotypes,” librarian Liz Phipps Soeiro wrote in a letter to Trump on Tuesday.
You read that right! Dr. Seuss is racist propaganda, and the children in "her library" shouldn't read such "harmful" books. What bothers me most is this librarian made it about her and not the children. Liz Phipps Soeiro should not be working with children. Ever!
.....and all this happening during Banned Books Week....
My question is: Where does the American Library Association stand? What about the Freedom to Read Foundation?
Here is a link to the story. I hope you read it, because honestly this scares me to the core. And it should you, too.
Parents and grandparents: Know what's going on in your children's schools. Stay involved and hold adults accountable for their actions!
Not a lot makes me mad, but I am fighting mad over this one!!!
I hope you enjoy your weekend, and I hope you take the time to read a banned book!
Read banned books!
Ricki Jill
Argha;ldkfjaldksjfalkjdfa;lk! I also am mad... It's so dumb, banning books at all is dumb. We shouldn't be stifling free speech, or the ability to learn and form our own opinions on things.
ReplyDeleteWhen I heard about this today, I was literally nauseous, I can not believe the lengths people are going to divide our nation. This is nothing but outrageous! Thank you for your voice!
ReplyDeleteJenna
I will check out the link... Two words: Fahrenheit 451. I would have expected better from a "progressive" part of the country, wouldn't you?
ReplyDeleteAt first I thought you were joking. I don't believe in banning books. If you don't want to read it or your child to than don't. This world is going crazy
ReplyDeleteWhen I read this story I was so mad. This afternoon I read an additional article about this librarian and she has dresses in a Dr. Deuss hat hiding his books. I guess she was trying to call attention to her agenda. Sadly the school "reprimanded" her and she still has her job. I wonder what agenda she is teaching these kids with.
ReplyDeleteI never taught anywhere that would have allowed this kind of decision making. Isn't this almost always a district decision? I'm stunned that she would make such a decision on her own and I bet the parents have plenty to say.
ReplyDeleteThe truth is that very, very early in Seuss' career he drew some political cartoons which were pretty racist. However, this changed and he always regretted them.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it wonderful how folks can mature, grow, and change for the better as they get older and wiser? Thanks for sharing this about Dr. Seuss. What a wonderful lesson for us all!
ReplyDeleteMy main point is this: As a librarian, she challenged and banned books intended not for herself but for the children at the school where she's employed to make a political point. I did appreciate her comments concerning underserved schools in districts (like Chicago) who've all been under the leadership of the Democratic party for decades. Both ironies were not lost on me: The fact that the districts she's so concerned about are all heavily leaning Democratic, and that her challenge and banning of the Dr. Seuss books came to light during Banned Books Week.
Maybe that librarian is a liberal women's activist and it is simply about that she wanted Clinton for President? A great way to exercise her grudge against Trump?
ReplyDelete