If your child had the capability, would you let them read whatever book they wanted to? There is a large group of parents who think not. Over the years, a growing movement has formed to push back on the books that parents disapprove. They are pushing back on this by calling for book bans.
Books bans are coming from parents and other groups who band together through their community or online to remove books they disapprove of. The books that are being targeted are in mostly public libraries and public schools. The parents say that the government should have control what books are available because the library is a public building.
The books that are being targeted are mostly those about the LGBTQ community. Some other books being targeted are those about slavery and people of color. Ala.org’s list of the 13 most challenged books of 2022 contained more than nine titles about the LGBTQ community.
These book bans vary widely depending on which state you are looking at. Some states, such as Colorado and Nevada, have experienced little to no attempts to ban books. At the same times, other states have seen dozens of attempted book bans. The state that has seen the most attempts is Texas, with more than 100 attempts.
Not all attempted book bans will receive media coverage, so there is no official number of attempted book bans. Wisconsin has had 15 attempts, a relatively low position with the states. Wisconsin Public Radio published an article on June 22 about how Republican lawmakers are proposing a bill to remove books that they see as being “obscene.” The bill would ban the school districts from using any school funds to buy materials that they see as vulgar. They argue that obscene material lacks any artistic value and should not be shown to children.
Wisconsin Public Radio has been reaching out to parents to get their opinions. The parents who spoke with the Milwaukee School district disagree with the lawmaker’s agenda of trying to ban the books. Kyle Davis has a son in the sixth grade at Golda Meir School and a first grade enrolled at Clement Avenue School, both part of Milwaukee Public Schools. He told WPR he doesn’t have any concerns about the books that are in the library, adding that he has never heard of anything obscene being seen in a school library. He believes that teachers should be the ones who determine what is the best for students. He believes that they are suppressing free speech.
“They are highly trained individuals who are doing their job,” Davis said. “They are getting material for whatever age group they are working with, and they should not be prosecuted for doing their job.”
Librarians within the district echo Davis’s sentiment, believng that libraries do not provide “obscene” material to kids. The debate on book bans goes back and forth about whether groups of parents or the school should decide what materials kids are shown. I think schools should decide.