I used to roll my eyes at book banning debates until I lived it.

I grew up in a small town in Alabama where my 10th grade teacher quietly told us not to mention 'The Color Purple' in class. She said the school board considered it inappropriate because of the language and themes, and she didn't want to lose her job over it. That made me realize censorship isn't just about government lists, it happens quietly in your own school.

2 comments

2 Comments

gavins431mo ago

My buddy Dave had something similar happen back in high school in Missouri. His English teacher gave them a list of "optional reading" books for an assignment, but literally told them not to pick "Speak" by Laurie Halse Anderson because it was about sexual assault and the principal had flagged it. Dave was curious so he checked it out from the public library anyway, and he said it was one of the most real and helpful books he ever read about that topic. The teacher later admitted to him that she kept a secret stash of "banned" books in her car trunk just for students who asked. It really stuck with me how quiet and sneaky censorship can be, even well-meaning teachers have to work around it.

the_eva1mo ago

Wait, is there really a problem with a principal suggesting a book might not be right for all kids? I mean, isn't that just them doing their job, making sure parents don't freak out about stuff that could be too mature for some students? It sounds like the teacher was being a little dramatic, hiding books in her trunk like she's in some spy movie.