EveryLibrary Objects to Trump Administration Calling Book Bans a Hoax
Book bans have not been a Biden-era hoax, and we have the receipts to prove it.
Thousands of books have been targeted for removal from school and public libraries.
In fact, we've been tracking thousands of book bans here.
Yet, Trump's U.S. Dept of Education released a statement calling book bans a hoax!
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You can read our statement on this preposterous decision below:
The facts surrounding the Forsyth County situation are clear and concerning. In May 2023, the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) investigation found that the district's removal of books featuring LGBTQ+ and racial minority characters was found to have created a hostile environment for students. Students' families reported that the bans made their school environment feel harsher, with LGBTQ+ students expressing fears over losing their previously safe spaces. Students of color indicated that the removal of books with diverse characters made it difficult for them to see themselves represented in their school libraries. The OCR concluded that the district's actions, along with insufficient communication with students and community members, created a racially and sexually hostile environment that violated Title VI and Title IX.
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Title VI and Title XI are foundational civil rights laws enacted to ensure that students in educational settings are free from discrimination. Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, including protections for sexual orientation and gender identity, ensuring equal access to education and school resources. Title VI prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin, safeguarding students against racial bias and fostering equitable access to educational programs. Together, these laws are important tools to ensure that schools remain settings where all students can learn and thrive without fear of exclusion or harassment.
Instead of addressing these documented harms, the Trump Administration has dismissed this case and 11 other similar ones, labeling such complaints as "meritless" and ignoring the documented instances of censorship, harassment, and discrimination in schools. Why is censorship, which silences students and restricts their access to education, not a priority for the administration? Why is the Office for Civil Rights being stripped of its capacity to hold districts accountable for these actions?
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From the outset of the fight against discriminatory book bans in Forsyth County, EveryLibrary has stood with those families and students. We have proudly supported the Forsyth County Education Coalition, a local group of parents, educators, and activists dedicated to opposing censorship and ensuring an inclusive educational environment for all students. We have been inspired by their success in protecting their students. Because of their example, we have published resources for families and educators nationwide, outlining how the OCR's complaint process can be used to address discrimination stemming from book bans. EveryLibrary remains committed to supporting families in Forsyth County and beyond who are advocating for their children's right to a fair and equitable education.
Censorship in school libraries is a real issue. Since 2021, organizations such as PEN America have documented nearly 16,000 instances of book bans, disproportionately targeting books about race, racism, and LGBTQ+ topics. These actions harm students by denying them access to diverse voices, perspectives, and stories that reflect their own experiences and identities.
Read the Forsyth County Education Coalition's statement on their Facebook Page
EveryLibrary echos PEN's condemnation of the administration's dismissal of these documented realities as a "hoax" and its decision to eliminate the OCR's "book ban coordinator," a role established to combat this rising tide of censorship. These actions are detrimental to students, educators, librarians, and families who have fought for a fairer, more inclusive education system.
We urge the public, educators, and lawmakers to remain vigilant and continue to stand against the discriminatory impacts of censorship. Title IX and Title VI were enacted to protect children in schools, and those protections must not be undermined by political agendas or dismissive rhetoric. EveryLibrary will continue to advocate for those who challenge discriminatory book bans and to uphold the freedom to read for every student in every school.