Shared by our friends at Authors Against Book Bans, here's the scoop on the Rally for Inclusive Education, happening Tuesday April 22, 2025 from 8am-2pm Eastern:
On April 22, 2025, the Supreme Court of the United States will hear arguments in Mahmoud v. Taylor, a case brought by a group of parents in Montgomery County, Maryland, who sued the school district for the right to opt their children out of using certain books in school they argue are against their religious beliefs. The books all have LGBTQ+ characters and themes.
To support inclusive education, the Coalition for Inclusive Schools and Communities and the Montgomery County Pride Family are planning a rally on the steps of the US Supreme Court on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 from 8am-2pm ET. “The opposition seeks to erase LGBTQIA+ identities from the classroom!” say the organizers. “Now is the time to stand together and defend diverse, affirming learning environments that uplift and empower all students.” Anyone who is able to attend is encouraged “to join the rally, share stories, and send a clear message: We will not be silenced. We will not be erased.”
Lee's editorial thoughts on this:
This issue goes far beyond these nine lovely, inclusive, and very age-appropriate picture books. (Truly, if you're not sure, read them. Full list below.) If parents can opt their children out of stories of LGBTQ+ lives and characters, with the humiliation and othering that would entail, and the messaging to ALL kids that there's something wrong with Queer lives and identities, it will not stop there.
It is not hard to imagine the next series of communities that would be scapegoated in this way. Parents wanting to opt their children out of books that share the stories of Black and African American People. The stories of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander people. The stories of Disabled People,. The stories of Latino/a/e people. The stories of women. The stories of Muslim people. The stories of Jewish people... The list would be endless, and damage immense.
As the organizers of the rally say, "now is the time to stand together."
Illustrate, Translate, and Write on!
Lee
Here are the nine books in this case:
Born Ready: The True Story of a Boy Named Penelope by Jodie Patterson, illustrated by Charnelle Pinkney Barlow
IntersectionAllies: We Make Room For All by Chelsea Johnson, LaToya Council , and Carolyn Choi, illustrated by Ashley Seil Smith
Jacob’s Room to Choose by Sarah Hoffman and Ian Hoffman, illustrated by Chris Case
Love, Violet by Charlotte Sullivan Wild, illustrated by Charlene Chua
My Rainbow by DeShanna Nealand Trinity Neal, illustrated by Art Twink
Pride Puppy by Robin Stevenson, illustrated by Julie McLaughlin
Prince & Knight by Daniel Haack, illustrated by Stevie Lewis
Uncle Bobby’s Wedding by Sarah S. Brannen, illustrated by Lucia Soto
What Are Your Words? by Katherine Locke, illustrated by Anne Passchier
Want to read more on this? Start with: Unite Against Book Bans's Mahmoud vs. Taylor: Take Action; and the statement by the authors as posted on PEN America
No comments:
Post a Comment