In response to growing concerns from parents regarding the perceived sexualization of children in public schools, the American Library Association (ALA) has organized “Banned Books Week” from October 1-7. However, this event is seen by many as an attempt to divert attention from the controversy surrounding the ALA’s alleged promotion of pornographic materials for children, while simultaneously pushing to ban books and story hours with patriotic themes.
Senator John Kennedy’s recent actions during the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing brought this issue to the forefront. He read explicit excerpts from books currently available in middle-school libraries across the country, emphasizing that these books meet the legal definition of pornography and should not be accessible to K-12 students. Even the author of one of these books, Maia Kobabe, has stated that she doesn’t recommend it for kids.
Some argue that such explicit material is necessary for 11-year-olds to feel seen, but this perspective has faced criticism. It implies that children are experiencing situations depicted in these books, which would be deeply concerning.
In another instance, a school board candidate in Fairfax County, Virginia, Harry Jackson, sent a mailer to constituents featuring graphic pictures and passages from books found in public middle schools. Rather than addressing the core issue of explicit materials in schools, the focus shifted to the appropriateness of the candidate’s actions in alerting voters to these explicit materials.
The ALA, led by President Emily Drabinski, has drawn criticism for its stance on this issue. Drabinski has been accused of advocating for explicit materials in public libraries for children while actively seeking to ban story hours on faith, family, and patriotism. This perceived hypocrisy has raised concerns about the ALA’s true objectives and motivations.
Moreover, Drabinski has publicly expressed her support for socialist activism within libraries, emphasizing the need for libraries to be venues for socialist organizing. This ideological shift has prompted questions about the ALA’s mission and neutrality.
The ALA’s “Banned Books Week” is seen as misleading and hypocritical, as it celebrates so-called “free expression” in materials deemed inappropriate and potentially illegal for children, while simultaneously attempting to ban books and story hours centered on patriotism, faith, and family. Many believe that taxpayer dollars should not support a partisan, socialist organization that promotes explicit content for children.
