Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

mahatmakanejeeves

(60,987 posts)
Fri Sep 24, 2021, 05:40 PM Sep 2021

Pa. school district ends ban on list of books by or about people of color after student backlash

Education

Pa. school district ends ban on list of books by or about people of color after student backlash

By Timothy Bella
Today at 12:09 p.m. EDT

A Pennsylvania school district that had banned a list of anti-racism books and educational resources by or about people of color — including children’s titles about Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr. — reversed its nearly year-long decision this week after backlash and protests from students, parents and educators in the community.

The Central York School District had implemented “a freeze” last fall on a lengthy list of books and educational resources that focused almost entirely on titles related to people of color. The school district claimed the books on race and social justice, which some in the southern Pennsylvania community hoped would help bolster the educational curriculum following George Floyd’s murder and the racial-justice protests of 2020, were frozen, not banned, after some parents raised concerns about the materials.

The school board announced Monday it had voted unanimously to reinstate access to the books, district spokeswoman Julie Randall Romig confirmed to The Washington Post.

{snip}

Katie Shepherd contributed to this report.

By Timothy Bella
Timothy Bella is a staff writer and editor for the General Assignment team, focusing on national news. His work has appeared in outlets such as Esquire, the Atlantic, New York magazine and the Undefeated. Twitter https://twitter.com/TimBella
2 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Pa. school district ends ban on list of books by or about people of color after student backlash (Original Post) mahatmakanejeeves Sep 2021 OP
Thank goodness! My state of PA Quakerfriend Sep 2021 #1
Indeed! MyOwnPeace Sep 2021 #2

Quakerfriend

(5,655 posts)
1. Thank goodness! My state of PA
Fri Sep 24, 2021, 05:43 PM
Sep 2021

Is becoming increasingly extreme…
York had always been a stronghold for the KKK.

MyOwnPeace

(17,275 posts)
2. Indeed!
Fri Sep 24, 2021, 05:49 PM
Sep 2021

It's bad enough that we have RepubliQan legislatures who want to have access to our voting information and go to Arizona to get 'tips' on how to do a 'fraudit' - but to get headlines for having a 'Ban-the-Books' school movement - we just don't need that!

Glad the board had the sense and courage to do the right thing......

Latest Discussions»Region Forums»Pennsylvania»Pa. school district ends ...