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Article from one of my former colleagues:
Deirdre Cox Baker
Nov 18, 2024
Did you know that Iowa, as well as Florida, lead the entire United States in restricting access to library books?
According to PEN America, which records such topics, more than 3,600 books were banned in Iowa school libraries in 2023-2024.
Banned books largely have a theme, of sorts, of race, sexual or gender identity.
It makes sense for parents to review books read by youngsters, but when the children grow up, some sense of trust should be established.
I grew up in a household where all five Cox children learned how to read at a young age.
My mother and father were both avid readers and scorned the television, which was a newish thing in the 1960s. To this day I watch about 4 hours of television each day. In one famous family story, our black-and-white television broke and my parents did not allow television in the home for two years!
Banned books also might include topics that readers find helpful in today’s world: Think, substance abuse, depression, mental health concerns and sexual violence.
I have two books on hand that are on banned lists. To wit:
1. “The Scarlet Letter,” by Nathanial Hawthorne and published in 1850, was based in puritanical Massachusetts where a teenage girl, Heather Prynne, conceived a baby with a man to whom she was not married. She tried to live a life of repentance and dignity but was forced to wear a “scarlet A” letter, for adultery.
2. “Huckleberry Finn,” by Mark Twain, was published in 1894. This is a work of art, and was on my “must read” list for years. It involves a white boy, Finn, and a black man, Jim. There is some violence but it’s pretty tame considering today’s standards.
When you investigate this topic it becomes non-sensical. “Captain Underpants?” “Winnie the Pooh?” Both are on various banned lists.
I believe that at some point, parents should trust their children to make decent choices. This is especially important when it comes to what the kids read.
The American Library Association has documented cases of banned books since 1990. Jodi Picoult’s book, “19 Minutes” and John Green’s book, “Looking for Alaska” are frequently banned in Iowa. Both authors are now suing the state over its school library restrictions.
Iowa’s Republican lawmakers argue that books with graphic descriptions of content have no place in the schools.
Opponents say the proposed law is overly broad and poses an unconstitutional impact on the rights to free speech and to receive information.
I believe most of the oversight starts with parents. Careful and sensible oversight would make some of these decisions unnecessary.
Pubic Hearing:
The public is invited to an opening hearing of the proposed banned books rules. It is set for 8-9 a.m. at the state boardroom of the Grimes State Office Building, Room B50, 400 East 14th St., Des Moines.
Written comments can be made not later than 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 11 by emailing Thomas.mayes@iowa.gov or by calling 515-281-8661. Letters may be mailed to Thomas A. Mayes, Iowa Department of Education, Grimes State Office Building, 400 E. 14th St., Des Moines, IA 50013.
Take care on banning books
Iowa, Florida lead US in banned school books
Deirdre Cox Baker
Nov 18, 2024
Did you know that Iowa, as well as Florida, lead the entire United States in restricting access to library books?
According to PEN America, which records such topics, more than 3,600 books were banned in Iowa school libraries in 2023-2024.
Banned books largely have a theme, of sorts, of race, sexual or gender identity.
It makes sense for parents to review books read by youngsters, but when the children grow up, some sense of trust should be established.
I grew up in a household where all five Cox children learned how to read at a young age.
My mother and father were both avid readers and scorned the television, which was a newish thing in the 1960s. To this day I watch about 4 hours of television each day. In one famous family story, our black-and-white television broke and my parents did not allow television in the home for two years!
Banned books also might include topics that readers find helpful in today’s world: Think, substance abuse, depression, mental health concerns and sexual violence.
I have two books on hand that are on banned lists. To wit:
1. “The Scarlet Letter,” by Nathanial Hawthorne and published in 1850, was based in puritanical Massachusetts where a teenage girl, Heather Prynne, conceived a baby with a man to whom she was not married. She tried to live a life of repentance and dignity but was forced to wear a “scarlet A” letter, for adultery.
2. “Huckleberry Finn,” by Mark Twain, was published in 1894. This is a work of art, and was on my “must read” list for years. It involves a white boy, Finn, and a black man, Jim. There is some violence but it’s pretty tame considering today’s standards.
When you investigate this topic it becomes non-sensical. “Captain Underpants?” “Winnie the Pooh?” Both are on various banned lists.
I believe that at some point, parents should trust their children to make decent choices. This is especially important when it comes to what the kids read.
The American Library Association has documented cases of banned books since 1990. Jodi Picoult’s book, “19 Minutes” and John Green’s book, “Looking for Alaska” are frequently banned in Iowa. Both authors are now suing the state over its school library restrictions.
Iowa’s Republican lawmakers argue that books with graphic descriptions of content have no place in the schools.
Opponents say the proposed law is overly broad and poses an unconstitutional impact on the rights to free speech and to receive information.
I believe most of the oversight starts with parents. Careful and sensible oversight would make some of these decisions unnecessary.
Pubic Hearing:
The public is invited to an opening hearing of the proposed banned books rules. It is set for 8-9 a.m. at the state boardroom of the Grimes State Office Building, Room B50, 400 East 14th St., Des Moines.
Written comments can be made not later than 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 11 by emailing Thomas.mayes@iowa.gov or by calling 515-281-8661. Letters may be mailed to Thomas A. Mayes, Iowa Department of Education, Grimes State Office Building, 400 E. 14th St., Des Moines, IA 50013.
