I became aware of obscene books in our libraries in December of 2021. Tools to do research became available, like www.booklook.info The Pavement Education Project www.pavementeducationproject.com , and I recently discovered another https://www.thekitchentableactivist.com/ .
A national database https://www.destinydiscover.com/aasp/ui/pick/pick provides the ability to identify what books are in public school libraries in school districts across the United States. However, Iredell Statesville School’s superintendent has discontinued the contract with this company, claiming it was due to cyber security and a new state law. Since June of 2023, citizens no longer have access to check where and what books are in Iredell Statesville schools. Ninety-five other counties in North Carolina, including Mooresville Graded School District still have access.
Back to my first search, I wanted to see for myself if books with sexual and profane language were in our libraries. I did a Destiny Follett check for a few books at my daughter’s high school and sent an email to board members including the former chairman as well as the superintendent. The first book was Water for Elephants. I had identified some disturbing passages and wanted to inform the board about it to see what they would do. In retrospect, this book is tame compared to what I found later and am now aware of. Board members seemed shocked and this began a quest to understand how the books got there and what could be done about them. To my understanding no one had done a book challenge before, we were all learning. Water for Elephants was reviewed and kept. The next book I challenged was Searching for Alaska. I checked it out at the public library, read it, and then sent copies of the disturbing passages to the board and superintendent. It was later reviewed by a committee, the superintendent, and it was decided it was not appropriate for our schools. In that book, one of the main characters coaches her friend on how to give oral sex, describes how they viewed porn together and it is filled with profanity. In the end she commits suicide. This book is still available at public libraries, book stores and on Amazon. It is not banned. I shared the lists that were being circulated to other people including local citizen, Paula Mimnaugh. This issue resonated with her. She began to spend time researching the lists to see where these books were located. She also called schools and discussed the issue at school board meetings and through emails. Many community members told her she should stop. She has continued to raise attention in local churches and has created her own group to inform and challenge our schools to get rid of sexually explicit books.
Around the country, Moms for Liberty members, concerned parents and other grassroots groups including a Muslim population in Michigan began showing up at school board meetings to challenge the educational value of sexually explicit, graphic novels filled with profanity, pervasive vulgarity, and sex how-to’s. Book passages being read out loud have caused mics to be cut, people have been removed from board meetings and no one wants to hear the words in these books that are in our public schools. The video below from Chino Valley Unified School District in CA has examples of some of the worst books I have heard. You really must take the time to look and/or listen. One of the books mentioned is Me Earl and The Dying Girl which I did challenge however a committee approved it. It is still on the shelves of many high school libraries in our district. It is my belief that people do not really understand how bad these books are. I question, who would defend books like this being made available to our school age children?
Mon 11/13/2023 6:13 PM
The American Library Association has now created a Banned Books list. Speaking of the ALA, it has also been confirmed that the new president Emily Drabinski is a self-proclaimed Marxist who wants to use our libraries as “socialist organizing centers,” listen for yourself here. https://www.facebook.com/100095089598761/videos/1018800015813610 Many states have since cut ties with the organization. ALA also want no limits on what a child can read. The exposure of sexually explicit books in K-12 schools has also exposed who is funding them. Groups like Red Wine and Blue, ALA, GLSEN, Scholastic, NEA, Planned Parenthood, MoveOn, Hope in a Box, and ActBlue Library have donated millions of dollars to give school and other libraries their definition of “banned books” which we call pervasively vulgar and inappropriate for school age children. Some Red Wine and Blue members have even gone as far to set up mobile book units to hand out books with sexually graphic scenes and pictures to any one who will take them. Please, take a little time to understand this issue. Look for yourself at the books these groups want any child to read.
Finally, think kids are not checking these books out? What if teachers are assigning sexually graphic and profane materials? September 2023, at Lake Norman High School two ELA teachers assigned the book The Glass Castle with a permission slip for their freshman classes. Two moms in the district read the book and decided not only was it inappropriate for their children they also wanted to follow the process to challenge it in writing to the principal. They turned in the required book reports, a committee was formed, and the committee unanimously decided it was fine. A letter from the principal was sent to the parents defending the book choice with the attached link https://www.texanswakeup.com/post-1/book-review-the-glass-castle so they could see what was concerning about the book. Please take a moment to look at the review, and what a district in Texas decided.
Gone are the days, when you can send your children to school with a carefree attitude. Parents must be active participants in their child’s education. That is why Moms for Liberty exists. Our goal is to educate and encourage parents to pay attention, get involved and yes to hold our elected officials accountable too. We need to become active participants in public education because the future of our country is in those classrooms, 8 hours a day. We also support parents as the first and foremost responsibility for directing the upbringing of their children. Whether that is through homeschooling, private, charter, or public. We support the many wonderful choices we have in North Carolina. Yes, there are amazing things going on in my district and my kids are happy and successful students. They are influenced by wonderful teachers, administrators, parents, and students. I try to celebrate that often and participate in the good things. But, I can not pretend that sexually perverse books in our school libraries or the hands of children is ok. I can not know what I know and just do nothing.
I plan to stay joyful even while called names, hated, and misunderstood. I am still learning. I hope in this community we will open the lines of honest communication with one another and be an example for our children. I am still trying to work with local districts using their processes and I plan to continue. I also know I need to educate others. The first and most important line of defense is an informed and active parent. I hope you will share this information with someone else who needs to know. Watch closely what books your children are assigned and reading. Lastly, what are you willing to do to stand up for what is good, and right and true?
Kelli Harris
