In textbook example of white fragility, mom wants biography of Michelle Obama pulled from schools

[babylonsister]

In textbook example of white fragility, mom wants biography of Michelle Obama pulled from schools
Marissa Higgins
Daily Kos Staff
Tuesday February 01, 2022 · 2:52 PM EST


If you feel like you’re reading a lot more about book bans in the United States, you’re not wrong. According to data from Pew, for example, the latest Republican effort to ban (if not burn) books from school libraries and classrooms is the biggest challenge books have had in literal decades. We’re seeing anti-intellectual movements take over school boards across the nation, but there’s a special focus on the fight recently in Texas. Even the governor of the state, Republican Greg Abbott, weighed in on the subject, saying he’s concerned about “pornography” in schools and endorsing a surreal “Parental Bill of Rights” to keep public education as conservative as possible. (Sadly, as previously covered at Daily Kos, the framing of this issue as being about parental “rights” is spreading—and that’s very, very bad.)

How many books are being challenged? In Texas alone, hundreds of books have already been pulled from school library shelves. And—surprising no one—the vast majority of these titles are by LGBTQ+ folks and people of color.

For example, Republican state Rep. Matt Krause recently released a list of 850 titles he wanted an investigation into because he suggested they might make students feel uncomfortable. According to the Dallas Morning News, just looking at the first 100 titles on his list is revealing: Out of 100 book titles, 97 of those listed were written by women, LGBTQ+ people, or people of color. The Gransbury ISD pulled 130 challenged titles from school library shelves already, saying they’re being reviewed for “inappropriate content.”

Students are, understandably, livid.

One sophomore at Granbury High School shared their thoughts during a school board meeting on Monday, Jan. 24, saying many of the books Krause is challenging contain “helpful information about abortions, sexual education, and human rights.” They noted that books about LGBTQ+ people make up over “half” the listed books. Young people might not be able to vote, but they pay attention—especially when their rights are being challenged or swept under the table.

Parents, sadly, are all too eager to keep their children as sheltered as possible, perhaps as a means of ignoring their own structural and systemic privilege. For example, according to records obtained by NBC News, a parent in the Houston, Texas, area asked the school district to remove a biography of Michelle Obama, saying it promotes “reverse racism” against white people and unfairly portrays Donald Trump as a bully. First of all, reverse racism doesn’t exist. Period. Second of all, this book (Michelle Obama: Political Icon by Heather E. Schwartz, for the curious) is a biography for literal children—I highly doubt it contains the infamous critical race theory Republicans can’t stop obsessing over. Also, Trump was and is a bully.

A parent in the Austin, Texas, area suggested schools include the Bible instead of four books about racism. (No, this isn’t satire.)

It’s like conservatives aren’t even trying to hide their disdain for people who aren’t like them—they don’t want to teach accurate, honest history (much less critical race theory), they don’t want trans youth to play sports, they don’t want trans folks to have health care, and they definitely don’t want public school students to be remotely challenged on their “closely held” religious beliefs, even if it’s for the purpose of learning actual factual information. Of course, these folks don’t want people reading books that might humanize others or build empathy or education.

more...

https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2022/2/1/2078004/-Citing-reverse-racism-hysteria-Texas-parent-wants-children-s-biography-of-Michelle-Obama-gone

[Ocelot II]

1. How long before they actually start *burning* books?

I expect it to happen - maybe not as an official act by a school board, but I can easily imagine MAGAt "parents'" (many of whom probably aren't even parents) groups doing it.

[Kingofalldems]

2. There's a hick preacher burning books in Tennessee

this week I believe.

[Ocelot II]

8. Indeed he is.

https://www.newsweek.com/right-wing-pastor-greg-locke-organises-massive-book-burning-1674983

[Hugin]

5. After unfortunately spending an extended period in the one place in the World where...

Harry Potter books were literally burned during the second great Dumbining. I can definitively say, it won't long before they are breaking out the Gulf Light.

If you're curious, I count the first great Dumbining as the whole Da Vinci Code panic. As you can see, each wave has been accellerating.

[Samrob]

3. But it's already sold over a million. What is wrong with these people?

Rank racism or envy?

[Maraya1969]

4. This might backfire on them. First, you tell a kid they can't do something and that becomes

the #1 thing they want to do. Second these kids aren't stupid. I'm sure they realize what is going on and plenty of LGBTQ kids are out these days. I bet a lot of them won't like what the government is doing to their friends. Same with kids of color and their friends.

I think they are not as racist as their parents are.

[electric_blue68]

11. Good points! ...

I think a bunch of them are less racist, or anti-racist, and more supporting of their LGBTQI friends, and classmates.

Which is a good thing for a better America!

[Srkdqltr]

6. I think they should have to submit a book report if they want the book banned.

With passages highlighted that are objectionable.

[meadowlander]

7. This is why nobody can take their "cancel culture" bullshit seriously.

[Bayard]

9. I am reminded of this scene from, "Field of Dreams"

[electric_blue68]

10. Ha, yeah! I love that movie for many reasons.