Orgs Denounce Education Department’s Calling Book Bans a ‘Hoax’

Department’s Announcement Sparks Outrage among Advocacy Groups

Organizations that track the removal of books from schools and libraries are denouncing a Department of Education announcement that called bans a “hoax” and dismissed 11 complaints that had been filed during the Biden administration. A conservative group praised the department’s actions as “welcome news.”

Thousands of Book Bans Reported Nationwide

Over the past few years, PEN America and the American Library Association have reported thousands of bans around the country, with targeted books often containing LGBTQ+ or racial themes, from Maia Kobabe’s graphic memoir, “Gender Queer,” to Angie Thomas’ novel, “The Hate U Give.”

Conservative Organizations Lead Book Removal Efforts

Many of the removals were organized by Moms for Liberty and other conservative organizations that advocate for more parental input over what books are available to students. Legislatures in Iowa and Florida, among other states, passed laws that restrict the contents of library books and give parents and other local residents more power to challenge books.

Biden Administration’s Efforts to Address Book Bans

The Biden administration had criticized the removals and appointed a coordinator to handle complaints. However, the Trump administration last week reversed those policies, eliminating the coordinator’s position and ruling the complaints were without merit.

Department’s Announcement Met with Outrage

“The department is beginning the process of restoring the fundamental rights of parents to direct their children’s education,” the department’s acting assistant secretary for civil rights, Craig Trainor, said in a statement. The DOE’s announcement is headlined: “U.S. Department of Education Ends Biden’s Book Ban Hoax.”

Advocacy Groups Speak Out against Department’s Decision

Such language is “alarming and dismissive of the students, educators, librarians, and authors who have firsthand experiences of censorship happening within school libraries and classrooms,” said Kasey Meehan, who directs PEN America’s Freedom to Read program.

The library association called the department’s announcement part of a “cruel and headlong effort to terminate protections from discrimination for LGBTQIA+ students and students of color.”

Conservative Group Praises Department’s Decision

“Book bans are real,” the association’s statement reads in part. “Ask students who cannot access literary classics required for college or parents whose children cannot check out a book about gay penguins (‘And Tango Makes Three’) at their school library. Ask school librarians who have lost their jobs for protecting the freedom to read. While a parent has the right to guide their own children’s reading, their beliefs and prejudices should not dictate what another parent chooses for their own children.”

Nicole Neily, president of Parents Defending Education, said the department’s ending investigations into “so-called ‘book-banners’” was “welcome news.”

“For years, parents have said they deserve to know if sexually explicit materials were available to young children, and they were maligned by the media and the Biden Administration for it,” she added.

Conclusion

The department’s decision to call book bans a “hoax” and dismiss the 11 complaints has sparked outrage among advocacy groups, who argue that book bans are real and have a significant impact on students and educators. The debate over book bans and censorship in schools and libraries is likely to continue, with both sides presenting valid arguments.

FAQs

* What is the Department of Education’s stance on book bans?
The department has called book bans a “hoax” and dismissed 11 complaints filed during the Biden administration.
* What are the main concerns of advocacy groups?
Advocacy groups, such as PEN America and the American Library Association, are concerned that book bans are limiting access to information and promoting censorship in schools and libraries.
* What is the stance of conservative groups on book bans?
Conservative groups, such as Parents Defending Education, argue that parents should have more control over what books are available to students and that book bans are necessary to protect children from explicit content.
* What is the impact of book bans on students and educators?
Book bans can have a significant impact on students and educators, limiting access to information and promoting censorship in schools and libraries.