We speak with Dr. Richard Price, associate professor of political science at Weber State University, about recent attempts to ban books, especially those about GLBTQIA+ people and people of color, from classrooms and school libraries across the country. (Spoiler alert: it’s not only in red states). Dr. Price offers strategies for teachers, principals, and school districts for responding to book challenges.
Overview
00:00-00:40 Intros
00:40-01:27 Becoming involved in anti-censorship work
01:27-02:36 Anti-diversity activists: who they are and what materials they target
02:36-03:43 Where book challenges are taking place
03:43-06:22 Current censorship efforts compared to past ones
06:22-09-07 Challenges, district responses, and outcomes
09:07-12:17 Steps administrators and teachers can take when there are complaints
12:17-14:10 Mechanics of opt-outs
14:30-16:06 Training and resources for teachers
16:06-18:18 Objections to “white savior” books or books with the N-word
18:18-20:06 Self-censorship
20:06-22:33 Responding to challenges based on N-word
22:33-26:46 Roles of American Library Association and other resource organizations
26:46- Outro
Transcript
Click here to see the full transcript of this episode.
References
Soundtrack by Poddington Bear
We speak with Dr. Linda Nathan of the Center for Artistry and Scholarship and the Perrone-Sizer Institute for Creative Leadership about her experience in...
We speak with Ahenewa El-Amin, who teaches AP African American Studies in Kentucky, a state with a law restricting teaching about the legacy of...
We speak with Anna Allanbrook, longtime principal of Brooklyn New School (BNS). Learning at BNS is inquiry-based and cross-disciplinary. As well, BNS is known...