US Educators Fight Back Against Book Bans and Censorship

US Educators Fight Back Against Book Bans and Censorship

US Educators , Fight Back Against , Book Bans and Censorship.

Last year, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed HB 1557 which bans discussion of sexuality or gender in classrooms from kindergarten through grade three.

Last year, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed HB 1557 which bans discussion of sexuality or gender in classrooms from kindergarten through grade three.

Al Jazeera reports that the legislation, which LGBTQ rights advocates call the "Don't Say Gay" law, also allows parents to sue if they believe a teacher has broken the law.

Al Jazeera reports that the legislation, which LGBTQ rights advocates call the "Don't Say Gay" law, also allows parents to sue if they believe a teacher has broken the law.

DeSantis also passed the Stop the Wrongs to Our Kids and Employees Act, or the “Stop WOKE” Act, which bans critical race theory from being taught in schools.

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DeSantis also passed the Stop the Wrongs to Our Kids and Employees Act, or the “Stop WOKE” Act, which bans critical race theory from being taught in schools.

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Al Jazeera reports that while the laws fall short of outright banning books, the broad language they were written in have resulted in schools removing books that could be in violation.

Meanwhile, teachers are only allowed to distribute approved books in the classroom.

In Florida, school districts have reportedly removed 175 books from schools across the state.

According to a report by the American Library Association, the number of book bans surged in 2022 with 2,571 titles targeted for censorship.

Al Jazeera reports that educators and librarians have found creative ways to skirt the new laws.

What happens when these specific books are no longer available is, it decreases representation remarkably, and when you are not represented, you know that you do not have power, Adam Tritt, a high school English teacher in Melbourne, Florida, via Al Jazeera.

Al Jazeera reports that digital library cards have also allowed more people to access ebooks and audiobooks amid surging censorship