This exactly sums up the situation in our community in Indiana. Last week a parent read two explicit sex scenes aloud at the local school board meeting in a performative effort to shock school board members into pulling a list of books from school libraries (just in case the Indiana legislature doesn't succeed in passing legislation to this effect). A look at the list reveals books (many award-winning or highly acclaimed) that touch on themes of homosexuality, race, religion, gender identity, drug addiction-- in other words, many of the themes in the culture wars.
Throwing around words like "obscene" and "parental rights" (not to mention reading the word "pussy" multiple times at a school board meeting) is a great way to garner eyeballs and votes.
This exactly sums up the situation in our community in Indiana. Last week a parent read two explicit sex scenes aloud at the local school board meeting in a performative effort to shock school board members into pulling a list of books from school libraries (just in case the Indiana legislature doesn't succeed in passing legislation to this effect). A look at the list reveals books (many award-winning or highly acclaimed) that touch on themes of homosexuality, race, religion, gender identity, drug addiction-- in other words, many of the themes in the culture wars.
Throwing around words like "obscene" and "parental rights" (not to mention reading the word "pussy" multiple times at a school board meeting) is a great way to garner eyeballs and votes.
Great post!