Editor’s Note: The views expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of The Augusta Press.
I am extremely disappointed in local media coverage of sexually explicit content in the Columbia County school system. I know the titles of books the concerned parents have been asking school district to consider pulling out of school libraries, or at least give parents option to opt out their children from reading them. Sadly, the school district (SD) has not been responsive to these parents.
A parent was told that their consent for opting her child out of certain books with sexual content did not apply to some of these titles because they are considered “diverse.” Another common response was that the school district may get sued if they pulled these books. There has not been serious coverage of parents who are concerned about sexually explicit content. The media talking point has been book banning based on somebody challenging “To Kill a Mockingbird.” I am not aware of anybody challenging any classical literature, and I am not even convinced there is a challenge of “To Kill Mockingbird.” I have been attending every school board meeting for months. As much as the library content has been discussed, no one, and I mean no one, ever brought up “To Kill a Mockingbird” or any other classical literature as objectionable books. I suspect this is an effort to deflect addressing truly objectionable content in school libraries. To see examples, please visit https://www.refocusoneducation.com Select “Examples in CCSD”; “District Content” and the link provided in #3.
The concerned parents have been maligned in school board meetings and traditional and social media for attempting to protect their children from this harmful content. I honestly do not understand the contempt and resentment some people show toward these caring parents.
Some on social media justify keeping this content in school by claiming that the students are exposed to worse content on the internet. That is comparing apples to oranges. The school is directly supported by tax dollars to provide quality education for our kids, and the school district should provide a safe environment for our children so they can concentrate on learning, not access obscene material. If I provided these books to a child, I could be charged with a crime.
After a mother read an excerpt from “The Bluest Eye” at the last school board meeting, a board member voiced her objection to the parent reading the excerpt because there could have been children watching the livestream. I am heartened that she feels the content is inappropriate, but I find that position illogical. If the school district finds the content objectionable to be read at school board meeting, why are they okay with providing the same material to Columbia County school children?
YeSun Wiltse
Evans, GA
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