Things are looking very different at the governmental level. Protections have been taken away from book banners, and there’s a different field at the top of the country. Our school board is proudly MAGA, and has been posting about taking back control…
School librarians could quite possibly be at the top of the hit list. Although nothing has been said along those lines, and I don’t want to scaremonger anyone else, least of all myself!
Someone asked me if I was changing what I was doing in the library. My instinct was to say, “No,” but then I thought actually, yes. Not an radical way, but I have been purposefully strengthening my views and opportunities for students.
My Black History month display was up early and was more extensive. Only 10% of our school is listed as black in the reports, but that 10% need to see themselves, and know that the history matters. Even more importantly, in my opinion, the other 90% need to know that too.
This last week’s book talks were definitely an example of DEI - all the books I chose were at minimum by a Black author - and the kids Blind-date-with-a-book choices had plenty of diversity weaved in.
did I pay even more attention than usual to this? Absolutely I did. I may not be marching the streets, but at least I can show my students how important they are to me.
The sad thing is, as I was putting the books in place, helping the kids wrap their books, speaking in the book talks, I did keep thinking about about how I might get into trouble. Seriously? Trouble for using books that represent my kids? That’s crazy. But apparently that’s where we are at.
So yes, the current situation HAS changed some decisions and focus. Libraries should always represent 🥰
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