Marshall University does not ban books! The information is provided to let people know what has been banned/challenged elsewhere.
2022
At the Chicago Lakes (MN) School District, a parent emailed the school principal and superintendent complaining that the book teaches “critical race theory” and is “divisive.” The principal, curriculum director, a secondary teacher, and the librarian met with the parent and explained the reconsideration
process. A reconsideration request form was submitted requesting the book’s removal from all school libraries. A committee including a librarian, a student, a teacher, and residents was formed to make a
recommendation. The outcome is unknown.
The Purple for Parents Indiana pressure group emailed the school superintendent of the Clark Pleasant (IN) Community School Corporation requesting that a list of 25 books with themes of antiracism, and racial, sexual, and gender identity be removed from school libraries. They were informed of the district’s reconsideration policy and referred to the form to request reconsideration of materials. The outcome is unknown.
2021
Banned and challenged because of author’s public statements, and because of claims that the book contains “selective storytelling incidents” and does not encompass racism against all people.
After a new teacher received approval to teach this book to 8th grade students in the Berlin (NJ) Borough School District, a group of parents sought its removal from the school. Parents harassed the teacher by email and phone, which led to the teacher resigning. The New Jersey Library Association and New Jersey Association of School Librarians wrote a letter in defense of the book and the teacher. According to the school board of education president, there has been no discussion of pulling the book from the school’s curriculum, and an additional text is currently being reviewed by the board for possible inclusion. Retained.
Despite being taught in Somerset County Public School in Westover, Maryland, since 2016, All American Boys was challenged by a parent at a board meeting for its “foul and vulgar language” and “divisive topics.” The parent also challenged Ibram X. Kendi and Jason Reynold’s Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You. As of November 2020, the district’s reconsideration process was incomplete.
On These Pages
A Banned book has been removed from a library, classroom, etc.
A Challenged book has been requested to be removed from a library, classroom, etc.
For additional information contact
Ron Titus, titus@marshall.edu
304-696-6575
Last updated
June 22, 2023