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
Misha Thomas, longtime consultant with Therapeutic Crisis Intervention for Schools, discusses how schools can develop trauma-informed systems for resolving behavioral conflicts and crises. He...
Dr. Gerardo Mancilla, associate professor in the School of Education at Edgewood College and host of Educators and Immigration podcast, reflects on his experiences...
We talk with Sarah Stitzlein, author of "Teaching honesty in a populist era: Emphasizing truth in the education of citizens." Dr. Stitzlein, a professor...
