This is interesting. I even found the news report that went with it very interesting. In the video the Mom’s for Liberty claims they were not banning or burning books, but then she goes on to say these books should be available for people under 18 in libraries. When she was asked about how in her push for her parents rights, she was effectively removing the rights of parents who endorse their child reading those types of books. She replied that they had that right to read it to their kids but not give it to hers. Fair but by removing them from a library how would a poor parent working many hours to survive get the book or a kid questioning their feelings know where to find it or how to get it. Again kids who are different, who are gay or gender nonconforming know that at a young age. They know they are different, they know they feel differently than their classmates. I am gay, knew that very young. In elementary classes some of my classmates had crushes on their female teachers, I had one on my male teacher. It is something straight cis people don’t seem to understand because the world is set up for the way they feel, so they are accepted, they are comfortable. Some people want so badly to keep that straight cis only world and avoid losing their comfort and status so badly they would force large segments of the population to deny their authentic self and live in misery by living a lie. That is incredible selfish and regressive minded. One great thing is the second video after the first shows how conservatives and fundamentalists are losing reelection to school boards and offices controlling education that they won only a few years ago driven to control how everyone lives including how children learn. One other thing was that she said a book used the N word, which she said in its integrity, and she felt that it was wrong for a 7 year old to read or hear that word. OK but that word is thrown at little black kids for the smallest ages. I posted of a four year old black girl called that. The right wing hate media uses the word constantly. So why not explain to kids what the word means and its harmful history to explain why it is not used today as the Mom’s for Liberty just did. Hugs. Scottie
Video at link. https://abcnews.go.com/US/video/authors-top-banned-books-discuss-censorship-103772580
The latest report marks the start of National Library Week.
The American Library Association released its annual list of the top 10 most targeted books of 2023 on Monday, the majority of which were challenges because of their LGBTQ content.
“Gender Queer” by Maia Kobabe topped the list for the third year in a row. The graphic memoir, which chronicles the author’s experience with sexuality and gender from childhood to adulthood, was challenged for its LGBTQ content and for claims that it is sexually explicit.
“At ALA, we are fighting for the freedom to choose what you want to read,” said ALA President Emily Drabinski in the announcement. “Shining a light on the harmful workings of these pressure groups is one of the actions we must take to protect our right to read.”
In 2023, the ALA recorded 4,240 unique titles that have been targeted for removal or restriction in libraries and schools. It’s a record-breaking 65% increase from 2022, the highest totals recorded by the ALA since it began collecting data more than 20 years ago.
MORE: What’s in some of the most challenged books in America?
Jennie Pu, ALA member and Hoboken Public Library Director, told ABC News that “this list affirms the pattern that we’re seeing, that it’s a small group of people who don’t want their stories to be told and the retargeting of historically underrepresented and marginalized voices.”
Hoboken’s library system was declared a book sanctuary in 2023.
Across the country, classroom and library content has been at the center of contentious debates between educators, librarians, parents and politicians. Conservative-led legislative efforts to restrict what discussions and content could be had in classrooms regarding race, gender, sex, and sexual orientation has ignited a debate about the materials students and their families have access to.
Advocates of such legislation say these policies ensure that “inappropriate” content is weeded out of classrooms to protect children from “indoctrination,” Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott have said.
Politicized groups or individuals have been at the center of large swaths of book challenges nationwide, sometimes demanding the censorship of multiple titles — often dozens or hundreds at a time. This helped drive the surge in book challenges, according to the ALA.
The other most-targeted titles, in order of the number of challenges, are:
2. “All Boys Aren’t Blue,” by George M. Johnson, for LGBTQ content and claims of sexually explicit content.
3. “This Book is Gay,” by Juno Dawson, for LGBTQ content, sex education, and claims of sexually explicit content.
4. “The Perks of Being a Wallflower,” by Stephen Chbosky, for LGBTQ content, rape, drugs, profanity and claims of sexually explicit content.
5. “Flamer,” by Mike Curato, for LGBTQ content and claims of sexually explicit content.
MORE: Book bans and anti-LGBTQ laws: how queer authors are responding
6. “The Bluest Eye,” by Toni Morrison, for themes about rape, incest, DEI content and claims of sexually explicit content.
7. “Tricks,” by Ellen Hopkins, for LGBTQ content, themes concerning drugs, rape, and claims of sexually explicit content, tied with “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl,” by Jesse Andrews for claims of sexually explicit content.
9. “Let’s Talk About It,” by Erika Moen and Matthew Nolan, for LGBTQ content, sex education, and claims of sexually explicit content.
10. “Sold,” by Patricia McCormick, for claims of sexually explicit content and themes concerning rape.
The ALA compiles its data from reports filed with its Office for Intellectual Freedom by library professionals and news reports. However, the organization says the data is only a “snapshot” of book censorship attempts because it’s not likely that all attempts are reported to the ALA or covered by the press.
The latest report marks the start of the organization’s National Library Week.
LGBTQ Books Top List Of 2023’s Most Challenged Titles
Heaven forbid children grow up with the idea that it’s OK to be who they are.
That’s exactly what they are afraid of.
They want us afraid and loaded up with trauma.
Children are irredeemably broken from the minute they are born unless their parents subject them to a public dunking and give money to a man wearing a dress.
#4 must be books.
Scottie's Playtime 