How Much and When Can a Public School Ban Books

Sometime, I'd like to list all the issues we argue about but will never be resolved. The big one being, is there a god or gods? Narrower issues will not be resolved either like which books must be banned from children's libraries and which allowed. Here are topics that cannot appear in some districts: A child with parents of the same gender, a child with same sex attractions and a child who is transitioning from one gender to another. A couple of generations ago books with parents of two races were banned. Any book with something good to say about socialism or communism were probably banned. 

There is a fascinating story just now in the news about a third-grade teacher who is being punished by her district for the books she uses and is fighting back. The teacher pointed out that the school district allows instructional materials considered controversial are allowed even though there are complaints if the materials do not advocate something controversial and are useful in teaching relevant knowledge. Three of the books were about children struggling with their gender identity and the fourth is about a child whose parent died, the two parents of the same gender. 

The teacher's lawyers pointed out the supreme court supported a coach's right to lead his football team in Christian prayer before football games. The basis for this Court approval used the term "sincerely-held beliefs" which also apply to the third grade teacher. She acknowledged her support of children who are struggling with gender issues. 

This case reaffirms that much of the religious right is led by not-to-bight people. Any rational person would have recognized that a coach's "right" to promote Christianity would sooner rather than later result in some religious or social standard being introduced over Christian objections. 

The teacher's case remained unresolved. She, or someone else, will eventually win this and send the religious right packing.