As talks of banning books in school districts have become more popular across the country, a Punxsutawney School District board member is proposing a ban on several titles that she says are controversial and inappropriate in a classroom.
“If you google the 50 most banned books," said Deneen Evans, a Punxsutawney School District School Board Member. "You will find that "The Kite Runner", "The Hate U Give", and "The Handmaid's Tale" are one of those 50 banned, that are in this curriculum, in this contested literature course.”
The three books she listed are part of a course offered at the school called “Contested Books.” Students wishing to participate in that class require parental consent as some of the books contain graphic content.
“We shouldn’t be subjecting our kids to this type of sexual content," said Evans. "There is profanity, there is racism We want the best education for our kids. Free of racism, free of They get enough of it outside of school, we shouldn’t be adding to it in our schools.”
The American library association, or the ALA, states that “Librarians and governing bodies should maintain that parents—and only parents—have the right and the responsibility to restrict the access of their children—and only their children—to library resources.” Censorship by librarians of constitutionally protected speech, whether for protection or for any other reason, violates the First Amendment."
Evans was asked if she read any of the books she’s contesting.
“I have extensive on the 50 most banned books," said Evans. "It goes down page by page what is in those books. No, I have not read them, but I’ve watched "The Handmaid’s Tale" and that is not for young kids.”
The Punxsutawney School District School Board has not officially discussed or voted on the issue thus far. They will open the topic on their next meeting on June 1st.
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