Skip to main content

The Real Harm


 

Some things I have learned over the past few days:

1. There are people who believe that books in school libraries reach out with claws of steel to ensnare unsuspecting passers-by. Not all books, though. Just the ones they don’t like. The other books just sit there on the shelf, minding their own business, until someone comes along to check them out.

2. Nothing could render a book more fascinating to teenagers who might never have even known it existed than the loud protestations of parents that the book must be hidden away from adolescent eyes. (Actually, I already knew this. This isn’t the first time this has happened. I wish it would be the last.)

3. I have been dumbfounded by the sad lack of understanding and empathy for LGBTQ kids in our schools. 

4. It’s possible that the big divide comes down to this: some people believe that books are dangerous. Others see the people who want to ban books as dangerous.

5. The “I’m not a racist, but…” conversations feel awfully similar to the “I don’t believe in banning books, but…” arguments. 

In conclusion, we are being asked to imagine the great harm that will come to hypothetical 14 year old if they see the (carefully selected) illustrations thrust in front of us. What would that be? “High school student sees pictures on page thirty seven and…”

  • Drops out of school?
  • Engages in self harm?
  • Attempts suicide?
  • Turns to substance abuse?
  • Runs away from home?
  • Becomes homeless?
  • Is stigmatized by peers?
  • Is disowned by parents?
Wait, that’s not what happens to adolescents who encounter challenging books in the school library. That’s what happens to LGBTQ kids who often have no access to affirming materials, or no accepting community, no trustworthy adults to support them through their teenage years. That’s why we see books like this, because these kids are in danger in a society that very often rejects them.

What kind of community are we if we care about a hypothetical 14 year old more than issues that are truly life and death for kids in our schools?

If our hypothetical 14 year old has supportive parents, they will be able to talk with them about that challenging book. They will learn that they can always bring issues like this to their parents, and they will learn something from their conversation. That’s it.

In the meantime, here’s my pitch from 2014 for comprehensive, k-12 sex education:






Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Getting Fresh

One of my favorite days in the Spring comes when this year’s list of Farmer’s Markets is released. That happened this week. New this year are markets in Old Ellicott City and the “Merriweather Market” which, according to the address, will be located here . I mistakenly thought at first glance that it was in the new-construction part of the Merriweather District. I find the name confusing considering its actual location. I’m going to guess that this market is an initiative of the Howard Hughes Corporation because the name seems chosen more for branding purposes than anything else.  Alas, the market in Maple Lawn is gone. The thread on the markets on the County Executive’s FB page will provide you with quite the education in who actually runs the Farmers Markets vs what people often think is going on. Short answer: they are not  chosen nor run by the county. Each market is an independent entity, sometimes started by community volunteers, other times supported by local businesses...
1 comment
Read more

They Can Wait

This is not a typical Saturday post. That’s because, in my community, it’s not a typical Saturday.  Oakland Mills High School, after years of deferred repair, needs massive renovation. It’s pretty simple: when you don’t fix a problem it gets bigger. The school system itself said the the OMHS school building was  "no longer conducive to learning" back in 2018.  2018 .  But Thursday the Boad of Education voted to push it out of the lineup of important projects which will be given the go-ahead to proceed soonest.  In my opinion it’s a terrible decision and sets a dangerous precedent. To explain, here’s the advocacy letter I sent in support of Oakland Mills High School. I was rather proud of it. I am writing to ask you to proceed with needed renovation at Oakland Mills High School in the most timely and comprehensive manner humanly possible. I have read the letter sent to you by the Oakland Mills Community Association and I am in complete agreement. You are extremel...
1 comment
Read more

What Kids Are Thinking

  It’s a Monday in February, and if you guessed that a lot of Howard County students have the new cell phone policy on their minds, you’d be right. It will mean big changes and it will be stressful, no matter how much good we hope it will do in the long run. But on this particular Monday cell phones might not be top of mind, as amazing as that seems. Some kids will go to school wondering if they or family members will be seized by ICE. Some will fear that their parents’ employment will be purged by the ongoing rampage of Elon Musk and his cronies through Federal Government. Some fear heightened and renewed racism as programs that supprted Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are vilified and destroyed.  Some worry that it soon won’t be safe for them to use the bathroom in school anymore. It goes without saying that some kids fear going to school every day because of the prevalence of school shootings.  And look! Here’s something new to fear. That old hate group, Libs of TikTo...
1 comment
Read more