Welp, here's a headline I thought I'd never have to type a year or two ago. In Florida, there's been an insane crackdown on books available in school and classroom libraries. It all started with a ban on LGBTQ+ discussions in schools, then it devolved into a ban on AP African American studies, and now, a lot of books dealing with historical and social issues are being banned from Florida schools. These, according to sources from teachers on Twitter and TikTok, include the American Girl historical series with the exception of Felicity and Molly.
These bans run the gamult from discussions of slavery in Addy's books to even discussions of anti-Italian xenephobia and polio in Maryellen's books. Yeah... it's bad.
I don't really like to talk politics on here unless it involves AG or human rights on behalf of marginalized communities, but this isn't politics. This is censorship. Outside of AG, I'm a dystopian screenwriter, and this is really giving off major dystopian vibes. But it's not contained to any screenplay- it's in reality. I am sending all my love to Floridian students affected by this governor's abysmal decisions that are only fueled by hate and fear, and I hope that you guys will be able to fight this awful change.
To quote the Melody movie, "Fear brings out the worst in us. But love brings out the best."
And if you are 18 or over, please, don't vote for Ron DeSantis in 2024 if he chooses to run for higher office. We cannot risk losing AG books- or any books- anywhere else in this country.
the way that I see it is, teachers, presidents, congress, celebrities, big companies etc, are more incompetent now than ever about not being biased, because we are human and society is encouraging you to show emotions more than ever, rather than reason. I would love to see companies, schools, entertainment etc just be neutral for once. Every single child deserves love, and supportive parents, we can't even go a day now in America without a shooting with a left leaning president in charge but somehow a conservative government is going to be able to override every state's individual rights that they actually voted for as a majority where they live; and we all seem to forget how we survived…
It is heartbreaking and frustrating to hear about school districts banning any books let alone AG books. A lot of the books being banned currently (other than AG books) are ones that I had to read in middle and high school, which at the time was standard reading and not controversial or "inappropriate" as some lawmakers and parents seem to think. Although there was a religious school district near mine where they banned and eventually burned some books but hardly anyone paid attention at the time and looking back it is scary that few people took issue with that. Also, if a book is banned kids and teens can still get the book through other means, like ebooks or buying…
as a conservative I actually don't understand the point of erasing hisotry, like I could understand the recent controversial book release, because to me as a parent I love my child, I want to be the one to know if anything is bothering them, not to have the schools interfere with completely happy children. My child is 8 and she has no interest in relationships at all, not even a small crush on anyone. And i'm fine with not pushing her to like anyone. I will be happy to make her happy, just that in the middle of elementary school now, she seems happy without questioning anything and who am I to disrupt someone else and disrespect their religion in…
Sometimes I wish we could get along.
But I guess it'll never happen...
https://abcnews.go.com/amp/Politics/florida-schools-directed-cover-remove-classroom-books-vetted/story?id=96884323
I don’t agree with what Florida is doing and never have from an educational standpoint. This is not the first controversial move they’ve made by any means. I have 13 years of teaching experience in another state and I take education very seriously.