A new message from your friends at People For the American Way.
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Friend,

For many adults and children who have attended a Scholastic Book Fair over
the past forty years, the memories of wandering around and selecting a
book or two to purchase unlocks feelings of nostalgia and excitement as
kids learn to appreciate and love literature and learning.

Unfortunately, Scholastic has made a troubling decision that will forever
tarnish that experience for LGBTQ+ and children of color: that books
representing the beauty of their diverse communities belong in a separate
“area” of the Fair, and that even including these books is optional to the
school district. ^[1]

[ [link removed] ]Join us in calling on Scholastic to reverse their decision immediately
and to fully include these materials in all Book Fairs across the
nation! >>

Just exactly which books does Scholastic think are so controversial that
they should be segregated from the rest of what they have to offer?
Biographies of civil rights icons Rep. John Lewis, Ruby Bridges, and
Martin Luther King Jr.; a biography of Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown
Jackson; a book that celebrates the diversity of different family
structures; poetry books by National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman;
and many more. ^[1, 2]

By implementing this change to their Book Fairs, Scholastic has shamefully
given in to right-wing extremists who have sought to censor the content
that can be made available in public schools and libraries across the
country. We at People For believe this decision to normalize bigotry is
completely unacceptable and could result in lasting harm to children
everywhere.

[ [link removed] ]Add your name now and tell Scholastic that celebrating diversity is NOT
optional! >>

In a weak attempt to address some of the criticism this decision has
resulted in, Scholastic released a statement saying in part that “We don’t
pretend this solution is perfect – but the other option would be to not
offer these books at all.” ^[3]

We couldn’t disagree more. Scholastic could stand firm by directly
confronting the wave of book bans in schools and libraries, and send a
powerful message to the nation that they won’t be bullied by right-wing
lawmakers and activists.

Our children deserve better and to know that their differences should be
celebrated – not segregated – by society.

[ [link removed] ]Please join us in urging Scholastic to do the right thing. >>

Thanks for all that you do,

Alana Byrd
National Field Director
People For the American Way

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Sources:

[1] [ [link removed] ]"For Book Fairs, Scholastic Will Separate Titles That Deal With
Race and Gender" The New York Times, 10/16/23

[2] [ [link removed] ]"U.S. book bans are taking a toll on a beloved tradition:
Scholastic Book Fairs" NPR, 10/17/23

[3] [ [link removed] ]"A Message from Scholastic on U.S. Book Fairs" Press Release,
Scholastic, 10/13/23

 

 


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