Fogbow

Pinellas schools under fire for book review list
Media specialists are scheduled to make recommendations on the titles in July

The Pinellas County school district has 87 books it wants its librarians to take a closer look at before making them available for student use.

That list has leaders of the state’s leading anti-censorship group wringing their hands.

“You look at what found its way to this list and what is being reviewed, and it just appears there is this extra hurdle now for diverse authors who write books that they wish they had in school as a kid,” said Stephana Ferrell, co-founder of Orlando-based Florida Freedom to Read Project.

For instance, “From Here” by Luma Mufleh is described as a coming-of-age memoir of gay Muslim woman. “We Still Belong” by Christine Day is a novel about a girl’s efforts to celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day. “A Work in Progress” by Jarrett Lerner is a story in verse about an overweight middle school boy’s struggle for self-acceptance.

Pinellas Park High media specialist Ginger Brengle, who will sit on the review team, said she hadn’t heard of many book complaints coming from the community. At the same time, she said, many teachers have worried about placing books in their classrooms without proper vetting against the laws.

Southern Poverty Law Center @splcenter wrote: Katie Rinderle is the first known public school teacher to be fired under Georgia’s vague trio of classroom censorship laws after her students chose for her to read "My Shadow is Purple".

The book's author Stuart Scott speaks out against Rinderle's unjust firing. #TeachInclusion

Adam Parkhomenko @AdamParkhomenko wrote: The new DNC ad is worth a watch and retweet

raison de arizona wrote: ↑Thu Mar 30, 2023 4:00 pm Not a book but a Dolly Parton/Miley Cyrus song. About acceptance. Can't have that.

Wu Tang is for the Children @WUTangKids wrote: An elementary school in Wisconsin has banned Miley Cyrus and Dolly Parton’s duet ‘Rainbowland’ from their Spring concert because it “could be perceived as controversial”…think it went something like this

Here are the evil banned lyrics, obvious behind a spoiler tag.

► Show Spoiler

"Hey Miley
It's me, I'm in Nashville
I'm on my way to Dollywood, busy as you are
Can't get enough stuff to do, can't
But anyway, I'm excited about singing with you
So I'm just gonna turn my, CD player on with you singing
I'm gon' put this on a cassette
Sing along with it, and then I'll run you off a CD later
Oh, I'm so high tech
I got a flip phone, too
But anyhow, see what you think
And um, here I go"
Come on
Living in a Rainbowland
Where everything goes as planned
And I smile
'Cause I know if we try, we could really make a difference in this world
I won't give up, I'll sleep a wink
It's the only thought I think, you know where I stand
I believe we can start living in a Rainbowland
Living in a Rainbowland
Where you and I go hand in hand
Oh, I'd be lying if I said this was fine
All the hurt and the hate going on here
We are rainbows, me and you
Every color, every hue
Let's shine on through
Together, we can start living in a Rainbowland
Living in a Rainbowland
The skies are blue and things are grand
Wouldn't it be nice to live in paradise
Where we're free to be exactly who we are
Let's all dig down deep inside
Brush the judgment and fear aside
Make wrong things right
And end the fight
'Cause I promise ain't nobody gonna win (come on)
Living in a Rainbowland
Where you and I go hand in hand
Oh, I'd be lying if I said this was fine
All the hurt and the hate going on here
We are rainbows, me and you
Every color, every hue
Let's shine on through
Together, we can start living in a Rainbowland
Living in a Rainbowland
Where you and I go hand in hand together (let's do it together)
Chase dreams forever
I know there's gonna be a greener land
We are rainbows, me and you
Every color, every hue
Let's shine on
Together, we can start living in a Rainbowland
"Hey Miley
Look, I know it sounds scrambled when I'm singing it with you
Wish I could do a little better
At least, I might not get it all the way through
'Cause I'm not sure of the structure without you
But I think this could work well, don't you?
If not, like I said
I'll write that love song for you
You probably wrote it about some boy you loved, didn't ya?
Well"

Gavin Newsom @GavinNewsom wrote: A school board in Temecula decided to reject a textbook because it mentioned Harvey Milk.
 
CA is stepping in.

We’re going to purchase the book for these students—the same one that hundreds of thousands of kids are already using.

If these extremist school board members won’t do their job, we will — and fine them for their incompetence.

NotInOurSchools @nopinkschool wrote: Pride Month is finally over, but #Tempe Library is still pushing demonic sexxx on kids. This book was available in the children's library on 7-22-23.

Description
A professional dancer, LGBTQIA+ advocate, and social media star shares this inspiring picture book based on his childhood in Hawaii and encourages readers to find safe spaces that allow them to shine bright. Mark loves putting on shows, dressing up, and dancing! But what makes him happy at home gets him teased at school. To remind Mark that his unique light makes the world a brighter place, his parents surprise him with a beautiful, flowing cape. Wearing it, he feels invincible and free to shine all over Honolulu! It even gives him the courage to befriend some kids who are just as colorful as he is. When the cape goes missing, Mark loses his new confidence. How will he ever shine again? Mark’s relatable, real-life inspired story paired with Richard Merritt’s bright and energetic illustrations is a celebration of self-acceptance.

Malcolm 🌈🌊🎖️✊🏾⚜️#Resist #NoH8 #Allies #Dems @TheRainBowNavy2 wrote: -- A Small Victory For Arkansas Librarians
#wtpBLUE #ProudBlue #ResistanceUnited #DemVoice1...
-- U.S. District Judge Timothy L. Brooks issued a preliminary injunction against the law and Sarah Huckabee Sanders in favor of students and Librarians.
- If unchallenged, the law would have allowed for the arrest of Librarians...
Judge blocks Arkansas law allowing librarians to be criminally charged over ‘harmful’ materials https://apnews.com/article/libraries-bo ... 2738e2b06d #SaturdayVibes #therainbownavy

Federal judge temporarily blocks two sections of Arkansas’ library obscenity law
Parts violate freedoms under First Amendment, he says

A 2003 state law banned displays of reading material deemed “harmful to minors,” a phrase included in Act 372. Then-Gov. Mike Huckabee signed the 2003 law; his daughter, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, signed Act 372 in March.

The Arkansas Supreme Court struck down the previous law in 2004, partially basing the ruling on the fact that the law did not differentiate based on children’s ages.

Brooks upheld this precedent in his ruling, saying that both the previous law and the current law were too broad, especially since the 2004 ruling “already determined that ‘harmful to minors’ includes a broad category of protected speech,” he wrote.

GOP official wants to require teens be accompanied by their parents at the public library
He's worried about "graphic sexually explicit materials" at the library.

A battle over LGBTQ+ books in a Virginia county may cost teenagers their right to visit the public library.

The chair of the Board of Supervisors in rural Botetourt County has decided the best way to ensure “parental rights” in the tiny rural area, pop. 34,000, is to send parents to the library with their kids.

Acting on a campaign pledge made in June before a primary election, board chair Donald “Mac” Scothorn (R) announced a proposal at the board’s July 31 meeting to prohibit anyone under 18 from visiting the county library without adult supervision.

It’s the board chair’s solution to a long-simmering dispute over LGBTQ+ content in the county’s four public libraries, pitting Botetourt County residents associated with groups like Moms for Liberty against free speech advocates.

RTH10260 wrote: ↑Wed Aug 09, 2023 12:43 pm Looks like some "GQP officials" have not set foot into a library in decades

neonzx wrote: ↑Wed Aug 09, 2023 12:54 pm

RTH10260 wrote: ↑Wed Aug 09, 2023 12:43 pm Looks like some "GQP officials" have not set foot into a library in decades

Looks like the GOP officials think teenagers need to go to a public library to find sexually explicit material.

(plus, the library may have one of those scary "drag queens" in there)

raison de arizona wrote: ↑Wed Aug 09, 2023 9:15 am Library banning.

GOP official wants to require teens be accompanied by their parents at the public library
He's worried about "graphic sexually explicit materials" at the library.

A battle over LGBTQ+ books in a Virginia county may cost teenagers their right to visit the public library.

The chair of the Board of Supervisors in rural Botetourt County has decided the best way to ensure “parental rights” in the tiny rural area, pop. 34,000, is to send parents to the library with their kids.

Acting on a campaign pledge made in June before a primary election, board chair Donald “Mac” Scothorn (R) announced a proposal at the board’s July 31 meeting to prohibit anyone under 18 from visiting the county library without adult supervision.

It’s the board chair’s solution to a long-simmering dispute over LGBTQ+ content in the county’s four public libraries, pitting Botetourt County residents associated with groups like Moms for Liberty against free speech advocates.

https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2023/08/gop ... c-library/

raison de arizona wrote: ↑Wed Aug 09, 2023 9:15 am The chair of the Board of Supervisors in rural Botetourt County has decided the best way to ensure “parental rights” in the tiny rural area, pop. 34,000, is to send parents to the library with their kids.

Acting on a campaign pledge made in June before a primary election, board chair Donald “Mac” Scothorn (R) announced a proposal at the board’s July 31 meeting to prohibit anyone under 18 from visiting the county library without adult supervision.

Ark Dept of Ed Demands Schools Hand Over African-American Studies Materials
They aren't just refusing credit.

The Arkansas Department of Education continues to ratchet up it's attempts to eradicate all vestiges of African-American History in schools. First, they refused to pay to take the AP Exam, then they said they were going to refuse credits for the course.

But that wasn't enough for Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who claims that the class teaches people to "hate America."

Now, the State Department of Education has sent out a letter demanding that every school hand over all books and course materials in their possession on African-American history to the state.

raison de arizona wrote: ↑Tue Aug 22, 2023 3:05 am

Ark Dept of Ed Demands Schools Hand Over African-American Studies Materials
They aren't just refusing credit.

Now, the State Department of Education has sent out a letter demanding that every school hand over all books and course materials in their possession on African-American history to the state.

https://www.meidastouch.com/news/arkans ... -materials

sugar magnolia wrote: ↑Tue Aug 22, 2023 6:16 am

raison de arizona wrote: ↑Tue Aug 22, 2023 3:05 am

Ark Dept of Ed Demands Schools Hand Over African-American Studies Materials
They aren't just refusing credit.

Now, the State Department of Education has sent out a letter demanding that every school hand over all books and course materials in their possession on African-American history to the state.

https://www.meidastouch.com/news/arkans ... -materials

That's not at all what that letter says.

Ben-Prime wrote: ↑Tue Aug 22, 2023 8:30 am I mean, I read it as the State Board wants the local districts/schools to surrender copies of the materials so they can go all judgey mcjudgepants on the contents, not that the schools had to turn over every copy so that they couldn't be used. Did I misconstrue?