Advocates react to Utah ban of 13 books in schools and libraries: ‘It’s a tragedy’

[PeterT]

From the Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/...ools-libraries

Advocates react to Utah ban of 13 books in schools and libraries: ‘It’s a tragedy’
Utah is first in the US to outlaw titles statewide they deem ‘indecent’ as free speech advocates worry about impact
Library associations, free speech groups and advocates are expressing outrage and concern after the state of Utah ordered 13 books to be removed from public school classrooms and libraries in accordance with a new state law that passed earlier this year.

“It’s a tragedy,” said Deborah Caldwell-Stone, the director of the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom.
...
The books banned on Friday, which included Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood, Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur and Forever by Judy Blume, were banned because they were considered to contain “pornographic or indecent” material.
...

[tubemonkey]

A ridiculous law since kids have instant access to the internet that's filled with the very subjects these lawmakers object to. Besides, if kids really wanted to read these books, they could do so by joining their public library or several out-of-state libraries through Books Unbanned

Books Unbanned --> details

• Boston Public Library -- ages 13~26
  
• Brooklyn Public Library -- ages 13~21
  
• LA County Library -- ages 13~18 -- California residents only
  
• San Diego Public Library -- ages 12~26
  
• Seattle Public Library -- ages 13~26

[Quoth]

Stupidity and bigotry on so many levels.

Next they'll be be burning women that offer cups of tea.

Of course perhaps the parents that enact or promote such bans home-school their kids anyway, so they are not contaminated. And choose their library books and don't let the kids have internet (below a certain age maybe these activities should be supervised anyway).

Is it something in the water?

[John F]

I'm against banning books
But how about skipping the click bait:

Utah is first in the US to outlaw titles statewide they deem ‘indecent’ as free speech advocates worry about impact
Library associations, free speech groups and advocates are expressing outrage and concern after the state of Utah ordered 13 books to be removed from public school classrooms and libraries in accordance with a new state law that passed earlier this year.

IMO, there is a difference between outlawing titles statewide and outlawing them in public schools and public libraries.

[ownedbycats]

I feel it worth mentioning the Brooklyn Public Library's Books Unbanned program (it accepts donations, too).

[ZodWallop]

Originally Posted by John F

IMO, there is a difference between outlawing titles statewide and outlawing them in public schools and public libraries.

Can you explain how it is different? A statewide ban would mean that the books are banned in all public schools and libraries in that state, wouldn't it?

I'm not even trying to pick apart your point. I just truly don't understand it.

[tubemonkey]

This book ban only applies to public schools. It does not apply to public libraries.

[SteveEisenberg]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

This book ban only applies to public schools. It does not apply to public libraries.

The Associated Press agrees:

The books are still available at public libraries.

But the thread headline is correct if we are thinking of K-12 school libraries.

If conservatives could not resist the desire to meddle with school librarian acquisitions, I would be OK with them making sure there were books in the schools that had their own values. But probably there already are.

[mrscoach]

Should this be moved to politics and religion? This is getting into both.