On Monday, Fort Bend ISD approved a library book policy that grants the superintendent the authority to remove books from library shelves without requiring a review committee.
The policy, described by critics as the “most restrictive in the state of Texas,” was approved by the Fort Bend ISD board, 5-2. The main focus of the policy is to grant the ability to remove books that the board could think are harmful for kids, especially those containing content that “stimulate sexual desire.” However, parents, teachers, students and librarians have feared this policy would remove hundreds of books.
“I cannot believe that an independent American public school has reached this point,” Dhruti Pathak said, according to the Houston Chronicle. “This policy is appalling to me.”
The Chronicle reported that Pathak grew up in Saudi Arabia, where she saw the impacts of censorship “firsthand.”
“We are definitely headed in an extremist direction,” said Anna Lykoudis-Zafiris, a parent.
The policy, co-authored by attorney Jonathan Brush and Trustee David Hamilton, was debated extensively in workshops and meetings before its approval. The policy mandates that books’ content must not “promote sexual activity among minors or contain graphic images or explicit descriptions of sex acts or simulations of such acts.” However the policy does not sécify what “simulations of sex acts” are.
The policy also mandates that content must not promote activity such as illegal use of alcohol, tobacco, and drugs by minors.
During the vote, numerous people spoke about the policy, including Emma Babaian, a former Fort Bend ISD student and University of Texas at Austin graduate.
“Reading about these activities did not compel me to engage in bad behavior or to do anything illegal, immoral or objectionable. Instead, they taught me why certain actions were wrong,” said Babaian. “It’s a challenge to sympathize with that character while condemning their immorality.”
People have also questioned whether the policy lets the superintendent designate someone besides him to decide whether or not remove certain materials, including some trustees who have advocated for book-banning.
Trustee Hamilton, who led the campaign for this policy, claimed it aims to remove explicit content unsuitable for children, likening some books to “used toilet paper.” He alone challenged 35 books, including Margaret Atwood’s “The Handmaid’s Tale,” which has been removed since then.
Superintendent Marc Smith indicated he would delegate book removal responsibilities to library staff rather than act unilaterally, but this has not allayed fears among opponents who worry about pressure and potential misuse of authority.
Another speaker was librarian Brandie Dowda, who said she had to flee Houston ISD because it was eliminating libraries. She moved to Fort Bend ISD because she said it was one of the most diverse school districts in the country.
Librarians and other advocates for books have been attacked by Hamilton, calling them “groomer gangs.”
“I am not a groomer. I have no prurient interest in children. That’s disgusting, ” Dowda said. “I want to help children find books that they love to read. That’s it. That’s my job.”
