Latest news with #NineteenMinutes'
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bill derided by authors as enabling book banning heads to Ayotte's desk
HB 324 would require all New Hampshire school boards to adopt a complaint process that parents could use to object to obscene materials – and potentially remove them. (Photo by Dana Wormald/New Hampshire Bulletin) If New Hampshire adopts a law to make it easier to remove books from school libraries, 'Nineteen Minutes' by Jodi Picoult could be one of them. The 2011 novel, set in the fictional Upper Valley New Hampshire town of Sterling, depicts a deadly school shooting committed by a student who was bullied for his sexual orientation. It has been banned in more than 50 school districts; many of those removals were driven by its inclusion of LGBTQ+ characters and themes. This year, Picoult and other authors are warning that the proposed New Hampshire bill, which is heading to Gov. Kelly Ayotte's desk, amounts to a book banning bill and should be vetoed. Those pushing for the bill say it is targeted only at obscene content with no educational value. 'We know from history what the next chapter looks like when we don't fight book bans, and we know that that is a story that does not end well,' said Picoult at a May 12 press conference hosted by the organization Authors Against Book Bans. On May 15, the Republican-led Senate voted on party lines to advance the bill, House Bill 324, to Ayotte. HB 324 would require all New Hampshire school boards to adopt a complaint process that parents could use to object to obscene materials — and potentially remove them. Currently, school districts can choose their own policies for how to allow parents to object to materials. Under the proposed law, parents may submit written complaints alleging that a book or other material is obscene. To qualify, the content must appeal 'to the prurient, shameful or morbid interest of minors,' and depict nudity, sexual acts, or sadomasochistic abuse in a way that is 'patently offensive to prevailing standards in the adult community with respect to what is suitable for minors.' The material must also lack 'serious literary, scientific, medical, artistic, or political value for minors,' and be inappropriate to the age group to which it is made available. If it doesn't meet all four of those requirements, it cannot be removed. Under the law, the school principal has 10 school days to review the material in the complaint and determine whether it violates the law; if a parent disagrees with that decision, they have 14 calendar days to appeal to the local school board. If the school board also deems the material to be appropriate, a parent can appeal one more time to the State Board of Education, a seven-member panel whose members are appointed by the governor and Executive Council; that board will have the final say on the material. The law carries consequences for school districts and teachers who don't comply with it. School districts can be sued by the state's attorney general, Department of Education, or any person 'claiming to be aggrieved' by the district for not following the law, and educators can face discipline for violating the educator code of conduct. Rep. Glenn Cordelli, the Tuftonboro Republican who proposed the bill, disagrees that it is meant to ban books. 'I see it more as a parents' rights bill for parents to object to materials in some schools,' Cordelli said in an interview Thursday, just before the Senate vote. Cordelli has read on the House floor passages from some books he says should be removed, including 'Here and Queer: A Queer Girl's Guide to Life,' a 2022 advice book for teenagers, and Speak, an award-winning 1999 young adult book about a high school freshman who is raped. Both books are present in New Hampshire school district libraries, Cordelli says. But Picoult and a handful of other authors at the press conference said the excerpts are often taken out of the context of the bigger story that is being told. Picoult said she respects a parent's right to read books themselves before reading them to their kids, something she did too when her children were growing up. 'But there's a colossal problem when that parent decides the book isn't right for anyone's child,' she said. 'These parents will tell you that the books are exposing kids to topics that are salacious or revolutionary. What kids are really being exposed to are lives and mindsets different from their own, which creates compassion and empathy.' Lara Prescott, the author of the 2019 novel 'The Secrets We Kept,' about the CIA's plot to smuggle Boris Pasternak's 'Dr. Zhivago' out of the U.S.S.R., noted that her book was banned from publication in China due to a love story between two women. 'It's hard to believe we're seeing echoes of that in our own country today: teachers and librarians being criminalized for the books in their classrooms,' Picoult said at the press conference. She added: 'I want my son to grow up exposed to all kinds of stories, perspectives, and voices,' Picoult is a plaintiff in a 2024 lawsuit featuring authors challenging a similar law in Florida, and she said if HB 324 were signed in New Hampshire, the state could expect similar litigation. The bill touched off heated debate on the Senate floor Thursday. Democrats said the definition went too far and could be used to apply to classic works of literature, such as Shakespeare, which sometimes includes sexual content. And Democrats said the state already has obscenity laws that make it illegal to provide pornographic materials to students; HB 324 is aimed at broader books that feature LGBTQ characters, they alleged. Sen. David Watters, of Dover, argued the bill would allow parents who have particular beliefs about LGBTQ students or other political beliefs to remove materials that other parents might be OK with. 'It violates free speech,' Watters said. 'It violates the right of certain parents and their children to have access to materials.' Republicans said concerns over banning Shakespeare were overblown, pointing to the four criteria that must be met, including that the material has no 'literary' or 'artistic' value. 'Shakespeare is there to stay,' said Sen. Daryl Abbas of Salem. 'I wasn't always a fan of Shakespeare, but his books are staying.' And they said the bill is aimed at obscene material. 'We're talking about flat-out pornography and things that if I, as just a regular citizen, handed to a child, I could be arrested for,' said Sen. Victoria Sullivan of Manchester. 'And this is why it's escalated to this point.' 'All people should be represented. You know, if you want to have a book (with) two moms, two dads, great. But with 'Gender Queer' in a second grader school, and it's got pornographic drawings, and the parents find that, and they go to their school board and they read excerpts from it, that's a problem,' said Sen. Denise Ricciardi, of Bedford, referring to a book often removed from school libraries for sexual content. The bill will make its way to Ayotte's desk in the coming weeks. At that point, she can sign it, veto it, or allow it to pass without her signature.
Boston Globe
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Boston Globe
Bestselling authors implore New Hampshire lawmakers to kill ‘book-banning' bills
Advertisement Picoult, whose acclaimed novel 'Nineteen Minutes' ranks among Get N.H. Morning Report A weekday newsletter delivering the N.H. news you need to know right to your inbox. Enter Email Sign Up Prescott said books are powerful vehicles for storytelling that builds a reader's sense of empathy. 'When you can imagine what life is like for someone completely different than you, you gain understanding and with that a deeper connection to the world,' she said. Prescott said her novel 'The Secrets We Kept' — which discusses Soviet censorship of the novel 'Doctor Zhivago' — was banned in China because it includes a storyline about a romantic relationship between two women. Advertisement 'It's hard to believe we're seeing echoes of that in our own country today,' she added. The legislation defines what is considered 'harmful to minors' based on what adults determine is 'suitable' and age-appropriate, so critics have said the proposal would expose teachers, librarians, and other school officials to civil, professional, and even While higher educational' justifications, essentially depriving K-12 school personnel of an affirmative defense that is presently available to them. 'That one-word change makes it possible to criminally charge a high school teacher for, say, showing a nude in a classical painting during an art history class,' Bowen said. 'That is completely unacceptable to me, and hopefully to you.' Although this proposal is The bill's prime sponsor, Republican Representative Advertisement A topically similar proposal designed to give people a right to challenge the age-appropriateness of school materials, This article first appeared in Globe NH | Morning Report, our free newsletter focused on the news you need to know about New Hampshire, including great coverage from the Boston Globe and links to interesting articles from other places. If you'd like to receive it via e-mail Monday through Friday, Steven Porter can be reached at
USA Today
29-01-2025
- Politics
- USA Today
Arrested Duval Teachers United leaders no reflection on other union members
Jacksonville Florida Times-Union Brady, George don't reflect all teachers I've been a member of a teacher union wherever I've taught. I joined them for the same reason anyone joins a union — to make my individual voice stronger as part of a collective group. Over two decades in Duval County Public Schools, I was the union rep for several years at my school. I gave up one of my personal days each year to accompany Terrie Brady and other members of Duval Teachers United to Tallahassee as a teacher-lobbyist on several occasions. Reading about Brady and Ruby George was both surprising and disappointing. When working with them, I've only experienced dedication and major efforts on behalf of Duval teachers and students. I was shocked to read about their high salaries, especially when compared to leaders of larger unions in South Florida. The first reason I'm writing is that the situation concerns only the individuals involved and should not be used as yet another reason to think less of teacher union members than those of other unions. I can assure you that it does not reflect my values and professionalism nor that of many thousands of teachers I have met over 43 years in education. Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle. The second reason is my concern that Gov. Ron DeSantis and our legislature will use this to punish Duval County educators and other teacher unions. As retaliatory as he has been, he needs to remember that it is not all about politics, but about students in Florida schools. Singling out teacher unions because they often support Democrats does little to attract educators, nor does it encourage experienced teachers to stay in the profession. We have an enthusiastic new school superintendent and graduation rates are rising. Let's focus on those positives — leave judgment about the two indicted leaders of Duval Teachers United up to the courts. Rhoda London, retired educator, Jacksonville Parents, schools must trust the process On Tuesday, Feb. 4, the St. Johns County School District will hold yet another book appeal hearing — this time for six books that have already been reviewed and retained. Why? Because one person refuses to accept the process, exploiting a flawed policy that allows endless appeals. Nine months ago, I served on the official review committee for 'Nineteen Minutes' by Jodi Picoult. I read the book, listened to concerns and engaged in real discussion. We followed the district's process, voting 7-1 to retain the book, a decision upheld by Superintendent Tim Forson. Yet, the objector filed an appeal. Other districts require appeals to be filed within 14 days, but St. Johns County allows them indefinitely, keeping the process in perpetual limbo. This isn't about protecting students. It's about one person, likely unfamiliar with the book I imagine, following a hyper-conservative agenda to erase diverse voices. These books remain on the shelves in other Florida school districts, proving their accessibility is not unlawful. They help students navigate challenges, foster empathy and provide valuable insights that prepare them for real life. Every appeal wastes taxpayer dollars, diverts staff from their jobs and rehashes decisions already made by a diverse committee — all to satisfy one persistent objector. The district is spending thousands of dollars on unnecessary reviews and hearings, while pulling teachers, librarians and administrators away from their real jobs. And for what — to let one person dictate what 53,000 students can read? The School Board must trust the process. They must close this loophole and adopt a 14-day appeal limit, like other districts. The review process worked, so let's stop wasting time on politically motivated, frivolous appeals and focus on real education priorities. Anne Tressler, Saint Johns Founding Fathers didn't consider profit The ideas of 'Trickle down economics' and 'The government should be run like a business' are economic theories dating back to at least the 1980s. Over the past 40-plus years, many middle-class Americans have seen their share of the American Dream transferred to individuals such as Elon Musk, Jeff Besos, Mark Zuckerberg, the Koch Brothers and Donald Trump. These men are oligarchs who use their money to influence government policy for their personal advantage. In a democracy, government is a collaborative effort of its citizens to do things that cannot be accomplished individually. Government differs from a business because of its mandate to serve all, not just a selected few. The underlying economic issue in a democracy is not the size of government, but whom the government is meant to serve. A corporation's mission is to make a profit. Government's mission is to provide for the "common good" by building roads, providing public education, maintaining law and order and supporting the defense of our country. Profit is the goal of business, while socially beneficial services (though unprofitable) are the responsibility of government. The preamble to the United States Constitution defines the purpose of our government as to 'establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence [sic], promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity.' Profit is not mentioned once. Karen Adler, Jacksonville Where will political interference stop? I was heartened to see the Jan. 18 article in the Times-Union titled "Professors in Fla. sue to halt ban on DEI aid." The ACLU sub-headline "Free expression at colleges under threat" could not be more accurate. The law being challenged in federal court is the 2023 statute that bans funding for public college and university diversity, equity and inclusion programs. This ban overreaches to control course content as well. It is a clear imposition of the current dominant political party into our higher educational system. Where will it stop? Our public educational system must be independent of whatever political party is in power. The education of our children and young adults must include all points of view and not exclude viewpoints of view sough to be banned by the political party in power. That way those students can develop into free-thinking adults. This law, if unchecked in the state of Florida, may give other states the license to make inroads into the academic freedom we hold dear. My late sister, Dr. Maurianne Adams, founded and developed the DEI program in higher education at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, which is thriving. Her writings on that subject have been published nationally. In her blessed memory, we must ensure that the right to learn and teach without political interference is preserved. Carolyn S. Zisser, attorney, Atlantic Beach City won't be the same without Mousa The death of Sam Mousa leaves a large hole in the fabric of city life and in my heart. I had the pleasure — sometimes pain — of working with and for Sam Mousa over the 21 years I was a city employee. I have so many stories of him, most of them arising from when I (as the enforcement manager for the city's environmental program) had to tell Mousa that enforcement action was coming for one of Public Works' divisions. For many lower-level city employees, the thought of meeting with Mousa could strike fear in your heart. But the man I knew, although strong and sometimes intimidating, was a leader who listened — if you had done your homework and were brave enough to speak up. After a few bumps and bruises, we developed a relationship that was full of respect and admiration, even when we agreed to disagree. I have so many stories and fond, funny memories of Mousa and our interactions — too many to share here. But suffice it to say, he was incredibly smart, funny and a heck of a boss and coworker. He loved Jacksonville. The city will not be the same without him. Dana B. Brown, former environmental enforcement administrator and legislative liaison, Environmental Quality division, Jacksonville Confusing exceptionalism with patriotism In his Jan. 12 Your Turn article, Sohum Sheth argues that the re-election of President Donald Trump is a threat to American exceptionalism. I believe he confused exceptionalism with overseas involvement. American exceptionalism means that our identity is not based not on geography or ethnicity, but on the truth about our God-given inalienable rights. President Ronald Reagan described it like this, from a letter he once received: 'You can go to live in France, but you cannot become French. You can go to live in Germany or Turkey or Japan, but you cannot become a German, a Turk or Japanese. But anyone, from any corner of the Earth, can come to live in America and become an American.' Exceptionalism is at risk when people reject America's uniqueness. When President Barack Obama said, 'I believe in American exceptionalism, just as I suspect that the Brits believe in British exceptionalism and the Greeks believe in Greek exceptionalism," I think he mistook it with patriotism. Most nations are patriotic; America is exceptional. I think Trump's motto, 'Make America Great Again," is a clarion call to restore exceptionalism. I pray it succeeds. Jorge Miyares, San Marco
