After being questioned by a Republican state legislator, a Texas school district pulled over 400 books from its library to review.
North East Independent School District, San Antonio, said that it found 414 books in its libraries on a list of 800 that was compiled by Matt Krause, a state representative. Krause, the Chair of the House General Investigating Committee has asked school officials search their campuses to find copies of the books on the list. They also need to respond with information such as how much they paid.
Tuesday’s statement by the school district stated that it had reviewed the books “outrageously” to ensure they didn’t contain any “obscene or vulgar material.”
Aubrey Chancellor (executive director of communications) stated in the statement that while most of the books are suitable and will remain on our library shelves as they are, others may contain content that requires further review to ensure the books’ accessibility based on their age. This is not about politics and censorship. It is about helping parents decide what is best for their children.
These books are fiction and nonfiction. Many of them cover topics like race and racial inequality, gender equality, identity, and sexual orientation as well as topics like teen sexuality and pregnancy.
The list includes a number of well-respected and highly acclaimed books, such as “Between the World and Me”, by Ta-Nehisi coates, the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel called “The Confessions of Nat Turner” written by William Styron and John Irving’s “The Cider House Rules”.
Chancellor said that the district was already in the process to review its books after deeming one book inappropriate. She also indicated that the district has examined the appropriateness of other books. She stated that the district was proactive and called Krause’s list a “jumping point.”
She said, “When I look at some titles on there they in no way will be inappropriate.” They’ll be thoroughly reviewed before being put on the shelves. You never know when some of them might end up back on our shelves. We just want to be thorough.”
Chancellor stated that each librarian was responsible for reviewing all books in their libraries.
She stated that she was simply looking for vulgar and obscene text, while knowing that her books are at the right levels and that the appropriate ages can check them out.
She said that more than 100 books had been “reviewed and approved” between Thursday and Monday and were deemed appropriate for their age.
Krause asked school districts to find other books that could make students feel “guilty, anguish, and any other form of psychological distress due to their race or sex” or to convey that a student is inherently racist or sexist or oppressive, The Associated Press reported.
Krause’s office didn’t respond to a request to comment on the inquiry.
The district expects the review to take place — and books deemed suitable returned to shelves — quickly. However, the pace of each school will vary as some schools had very few books on the list while others had over 100.
A book review committee will be formed by the district to decide which books should go in a different section of the library based on their age. She said that the district will add an electronic tool to allow parents to check out which books their children are reading.
Texas Governor. Greg Abbott asked Texas’ governor to create a standard for schools to prevent “pornography and other obscene material.” In a letter to parents, the governor addressed their concerns about “highly inappropriate books” and other content found in public school libraries.
This dispute in the state is occurring as parents and conservative groups protest lessons on racism, equality and discrimination at schools across the country.
In October, a Houston school district removed an award-winning children’s book from its libraries. It also cancelled a virtual appearance of the author due to parents’ concerns that the book espoused critical racism. Later, the books were returned to their shelves and the appearance of the author was rescheduled.
Jerry Craft, the book’s writer and illustrator, is known for his stories about Black children who struggle to fit into unfamiliar environments. However, the Katy Independent Schools District canceled the event due to objections from parents.
