Join forces to keep books in schools and libraries
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** JOIN US TO
UNITE AGAINST BOOK BANS!
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The NCAC encourages fellow advocates and anyone who values freedom of expression to join the Unite Against Book Bans campaign ([link removed]) , a national coalition of more than 50 national partners, and a growing list of state and local organizations. A variety of free publicity, programming, and advocacy resources to amplify and support the current fight for the freedom to read and the Unite Against Book Bans campaign are available at uniteagainstbookbans.org ([link removed]) .
Don't let the censors' voices be the loudest!
FAIRVIEW, PENNSYLVANIA, SUPERINTENDENT REMOVES GENDER QUEER FROM LIBRARY
The National Coalition Against Censorship has written ([link removed]) to the Fairview School District Board in Fairview, Pennsylvania, regarding a recent decision to remove Maia Kobabe’s Gender Queer from the Fairview High School library.
It appears that the decision was made unilaterally by Superintendent Erik Kincade, circumventing district policy, which explicitly states that a committee of professionals must adjudicate book challenges. In an e-mail shared with the media, Dr. Kincade wrote that he “[did] not feel the need to create a committee to help with these book selections.”
NCAC urges Dr. Kincade to uphold the Fairview School District’s commitment to expanding students’ intellectual engagement opportunities. NCAC urges the school board to return Gender Queer to the library and allow for a formal review of district policies. Read More ([link removed])
NCAC CRITICIZES RHODE ISLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR SILENCING STUDENT PROTESTERS
NCAC has written ([link removed]) to the Superintendent of Foster-Glocester Regional School District in Glocester, Rhode Island after students at Ponaganset High School were silenced for expressing their personal views.
Students brought "anti-tolerant" flags to school following a Pride Month celebration. Protestors were immediately called to meet with administrators to discuss speech viewed as contradictory to the district's core values.
School officials restricting students’ ability to express personal views raise serious First Amendment concerns, even when those views go against school policy. That is the very nature of protest. The Supreme Court declared in its landmark decision in Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District (1969) that school officials may not forbid students from expressing ideas that they dislike unless they substantially disrupt school activities.
NCAC further urges the district to instruct school employees not to obstruct lawful protests and to take steps to ensure that the free speech rights of its students are respected in the future. Read More ([link removed])
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CENSORSHIP IN THE NEWS
'Educational censorship': Central Bucks approves library policy some view as book ban
USA TODAY, July 28, 2022
Despite objections from teachers, parents, and staff, a Pennsylvania school district will move ahead with a controversial library policy allowing residents to challenge books available in schools. Read More ([link removed])
Miami-Dade School Board embraces book banning. Is this what ‘parental rights’ look like?
Miami Herald, July 21, 2022
Florida’s book-banning movement has found friendly ears on the Miami-Dade County School Board. Read More ([link removed])
Why inappropriate books are the best kind
Los Angeles Times, July 19, 2022
Although the challenge of books and curriculum is hardly new in the United States, what we’re facing now is somewhat different. Read More ([link removed])
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: SEPTEMBER 19, 2022
Although it’s a founding principle of the United States, the term “Free Speech” has been used in many different ways by many different people. NCAC's Youth Free Expression Program ([link removed]) (YFEP) invites young filmmakers under the age of 19 to create and submit a short film on their view of free speech.
The deadline for contest entries is approaching, and students are encouraged to submit films before September 19, 2022. NCAC will screen winning films during its Annual Benefit ([link removed]) on November 15, 2022. This year's first-place winner will receive a scholarship to the New York Film Academy ([link removed]) (terms and conditions apply), and the top three finalists (individual or team) will receive cash prizes of $1,000, $500, and $250.
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