JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights recently dismissed 11 complaints regarding book bans. They labeled these complaints as a “hoax.” This announcement came shortly after Donald Trump began his second term in office, during which he reversed policies put in place by Joe Biden aimed at addressing book bans.
The removal of books from schools has been a hot topic for several years, especially in Florida, which has seen a surge in these actions.
Reactions in the community are varied. Some parent groups support the Department’s decision, believing it upholds parental rights. Others worry about dismissing book bans as a mere hoax.
Brian Covey, a former substitute teacher at Mandarin High School, shared his thoughts on the matter. He underscored the significance of having access to diverse books for children’s growth.
“I believe having various books shapes our understanding and growth,” he stated. “It’s vital for my kids to explore their interests. I always check what they read and we discuss challenging subjects.”
Covey faced dismissal from his job in 2023 after posting a video showing empty bookshelves in the school library. Interestingly, he was let go one day after Florida Governor Ron DeSantis visited and referred to book bans as a hoax.
He finds it puzzling that the Department of Education has taken this stance, especially given the rise of book removals during Trump’s presidency.
“They’re shifting the responsibility of deciding what books are suitable for kids away from educators,” he remarked. “Now it’s left to parents and citizens.”
Covey feels the characterization of book bans as a hoax doesn’t reflect reality. He recalled how many books were pulled from shelves in Duval County, including works by renowned authors like Maya Angelou and Toni Morrison.
“Books like *Slaughterhouse-Five* by Kurt Vonnegut were removed. These are not just classroom texts but also important works in libraries,” he added. The trend involves eliminating books based on citizens’ complaints.
In response to the Department’s decision, Moms for Liberty Duval issued a statement expressing their approval. They believe the federal recognition of book bans as a hoax aligns with their views on parental rights in education.
Moms for Liberty-Duval appreciates the Department of Education’s stance, seeing it as a win for parents concerned about public education. They call for a sharper focus on the real issues affecting students, like literacy and math proficiency.
Moms For Liberty Duval
In Florida, around 700 books were reported as removed during the previous school year. Yet, some state officials maintain that these bans do not exist.
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Source linkDepartment of Education,Book bans,Duval County,Schools
