One hundred and eighty-one public libraries in Tennessee are reviewing their children’s collections after Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett (R) ordered them to remove books with LGBTQ themes or characters.
On the week of Thanksgiving, I'm genuinely thankful for Popular Information. It's exhausting having to read about this culture war BS over and over, so I can imagine it's that much worse having to research and write about it. Here's hoping the reporting here inspires Tennesseans to speak out against this clear act of overreach.
Agree completely with being thankful for Popular Information. Otherwise we'd never hear these stories unless we lived there.
However, we should not include such actions by government officials in the category of "culture war." These are attacks on the civil and constitutional rights of Americans and that is what we should call them. We cannot allow government officials to claim they are somehow protecting "culture" as cover, legitimizing discrimination against and rendering to second class citizenship status to disfavored groups or individuals.
It will not inspire many Tennesseans to speak out. They are all-in on scapegoating LGBTQ. Good Christians live in Tennessee. Only male and female genders and only Mommy and Daddy Parents.
And yet, sexual assaults on children continue in Tennessee's Christian paradise. It's almost like, maybe Christians are the problem... kinda a "Hans, are we the baddies?" moment.
My wife and I moved to TN to be close to our grandchildren. What mistake. We should have insisted they all moved to WA. We would have all been better off.
I moved here to be closer to my daughter and son-in-law, and I’m doing all I can to be part of the solution. Three things I’ve learned: (1) This is not a deep red state, it is a deeply voter-suppressed state, with majorities supporting gun safety laws, abortion rights, and immigrant communities. (2) OTOH, there is support for harsh, often violent means of social control including verbal and physical abuse of children. It’s easy to be appalled and infuriated by this. (3) However, in the face of hate-for-profit politicians like Hartnett, we must refuse to be triggered, and insist on nonviolent, disciplined, noncooperation. Think John Lewis, Diane Nash, and others who showed us the way.
The “signs” I carry when I’m there are a Ukrainian flag and an upside down US flag. Depending on the temperature (likely to be too cold soon) I wear a t-shirt that says “I don’t watch FOX News for the same reason I don’t eat out of my toilet.” Say “Hi” when you see me.
I’ve lived here for my adult life. I’m a member of Blue Tennessee (www.bluetennesse.org). Join us. We clearly need more Dems to run against these Neanderthals. I hope Aftyn’s election starts a wave in TN.
All of these book bans have nothing to do with protecting children from topics like LGBTQ or race or bigotry; they are about protecting bigoted, ignorant parents from questions posed by their kids about those topics. When you intellectually and emotionally peaked in jr. high (regardless of your actual level of education) you demand that everyone live life with the same fears and prejudices that you have.
It doesn't even work. Kids know about that kind of "banned" thing from other kids in school. Usually by 6th Grade or so even in parochial schools. Besides, the more things you ban, the more things you're kids get curious about. 🤦
Thank you for shining a light on this important topic. It reminds me of a quote by Andrew Carnegie "mutual ignorance breeds mutual distrust." Very fitting.
Will Tre Hargett love his son less when he comes out as gay? Or his daughter when she marries outside of her race? Or his wife when she leaves him for a feminist think tank?
Thank you for remembering libraries, team. Trump is an incredibly petty man. I am a retired LIS professor, and as long as I’ve got breath, I’ll resist.
I agree with commenter Joseph Mangano..this is a perfect time to express thankfulness for Judd Legum for his amazing work and reporting to us! I really value the information provided.
I contacted the person I know in TN to urge them to contact that politicians about this illegal atrocity of dictating what libraries can and cannot have! Especially with respect to the reality and existence of LGBTQIA!
My university educated friends in Tennessee agree with the ban! Good Southern Baptists, they think Gay, Lesbian and Trans is just acting out to get attention.
This librarian thanks you for bringing this particular battle to light- these types of issues start local and are hard for libraries to fight because those local politicians hold the pursestrings. Libraries in nearly every state have been dealing with similar pressures at the local level for years now.
I have ALWAYS loved LibraryLadies! They have always beenmy friends and through them and their mentoring, I have learned much that would have been missed!
This former US Marine says thank you for your service!
Tennessee is such a beautiful state. One wonders why its citizens tolerate the 21st century version of book banning. Perhaps it is time for the many musicians who sing every night in Nashville to include a 16th century folk song to their setlist every night “Die Gedanken sind Frei”. Thoughts are free. And for those of you who are interested check out Pete Seeger’s rendition on youtube.
On the week of Thanksgiving, I'm genuinely thankful for Popular Information. It's exhausting having to read about this culture war BS over and over, so I can imagine it's that much worse having to research and write about it. Here's hoping the reporting here inspires Tennesseans to speak out against this clear act of overreach.
Me too.
Agree completely with being thankful for Popular Information. Otherwise we'd never hear these stories unless we lived there.
However, we should not include such actions by government officials in the category of "culture war." These are attacks on the civil and constitutional rights of Americans and that is what we should call them. We cannot allow government officials to claim they are somehow protecting "culture" as cover, legitimizing discrimination against and rendering to second class citizenship status to disfavored groups or individuals.
It will not inspire many Tennesseans to speak out. They are all-in on scapegoating LGBTQ. Good Christians live in Tennessee. Only male and female genders and only Mommy and Daddy Parents.
And yet, sexual assaults on children continue in Tennessee's Christian paradise. It's almost like, maybe Christians are the problem... kinda a "Hans, are we the baddies?" moment.
My wife and I moved to TN to be close to our grandchildren. What mistake. We should have insisted they all moved to WA. We would have all been better off.
We just moved here and we plan on fighting the madness. The more of us that move here better chance that we have to change things.
I moved here to be closer to my daughter and son-in-law, and I’m doing all I can to be part of the solution. Three things I’ve learned: (1) This is not a deep red state, it is a deeply voter-suppressed state, with majorities supporting gun safety laws, abortion rights, and immigrant communities. (2) OTOH, there is support for harsh, often violent means of social control including verbal and physical abuse of children. It’s easy to be appalled and infuriated by this. (3) However, in the face of hate-for-profit politicians like Hartnett, we must refuse to be triggered, and insist on nonviolent, disciplined, noncooperation. Think John Lewis, Diane Nash, and others who showed us the way.
Join the Marsha Blackburn protest every Friday from 12-1PM at the Federal Office Building at 719 Church St. Nashville. You’ll be welcome.
thank you so much. I’ll try to make the one a week after Thanksgiving.
I’ll be there!
The “signs” I carry when I’m there are a Ukrainian flag and an upside down US flag. Depending on the temperature (likely to be too cold soon) I wear a t-shirt that says “I don’t watch FOX News for the same reason I don’t eat out of my toilet.” Say “Hi” when you see me.
We won't even travel in Tennessee. Not one dime will be spent there.
I have a relative who recently moved there too. 🫤
I’ve lived here for my adult life. I’m a member of Blue Tennessee (www.bluetennesse.org). Join us. We clearly need more Dems to run against these Neanderthals. I hope Aftyn’s election starts a wave in TN.
It’s a beautiful state. Too nice to be ruined with the MAGA muck!
All of these book bans have nothing to do with protecting children from topics like LGBTQ or race or bigotry; they are about protecting bigoted, ignorant parents from questions posed by their kids about those topics. When you intellectually and emotionally peaked in jr. high (regardless of your actual level of education) you demand that everyone live life with the same fears and prejudices that you have.
It doesn't even work. Kids know about that kind of "banned" thing from other kids in school. Usually by 6th Grade or so even in parochial schools. Besides, the more things you ban, the more things you're kids get curious about. 🤦
Thank you for shining a light on this important topic. It reminds me of a quote by Andrew Carnegie "mutual ignorance breeds mutual distrust." Very fitting.
Put that in Latin and put it on the Tennessee flag. See if Tennesseans like it that way.
I would imagine Bert and Ernie would terrify these whack jobs.
Will Tre Hargett love his son less when he comes out as gay? Or his daughter when she marries outside of her race? Or his wife when she leaves him for a feminist think tank?
Such a ridiculous question. Of course he will.
I agree.
As well, guys like Tre Hargett would wish their children dead before they would accept them as gay or transgender. And would shun them into suicide.
They are vile characters.
They DO terrify them!
A Poem for the Moment
If it's something you don't understand
Be thankful and just start a ban.
There's no need to be sure
For the ban is the cure.
You know best! You're a white privileged man.
Is that translated from ancient Roman?
Yes! The original scroll was recently found buried in the hills protected by a sealed jar of Malort with a crack down one side.
Brilliant!
I hope the residents of Tennessee see this for what it is...oppression. And fight to stop it.
Exactly what I was thinking! Get on those library steps with those signs and get the media to take pictures. Wear pink triangles.
Well the Florida book ban sickness grow….
According to Tre Hargett, books will make one gay, or transgender, but guns won't make one a school mass murderer.
Really! good point.
Thank you for remembering libraries, team. Trump is an incredibly petty man. I am a retired LIS professor, and as long as I’ve got breath, I’ll resist.
I agree with commenter Joseph Mangano..this is a perfect time to express thankfulness for Judd Legum for his amazing work and reporting to us! I really value the information provided.
I contacted the person I know in TN to urge them to contact that politicians about this illegal atrocity of dictating what libraries can and cannot have! Especially with respect to the reality and existence of LGBTQIA!
My university educated friends in Tennessee agree with the ban! Good Southern Baptists, they think Gay, Lesbian and Trans is just acting out to get attention.
This librarian thanks you for bringing this particular battle to light- these types of issues start local and are hard for libraries to fight because those local politicians hold the pursestrings. Libraries in nearly every state have been dealing with similar pressures at the local level for years now.
I have ALWAYS loved LibraryLadies! They have always beenmy friends and through them and their mentoring, I have learned much that would have been missed!
This former US Marine says thank you for your service!
Tennessee is such a beautiful state. One wonders why its citizens tolerate the 21st century version of book banning. Perhaps it is time for the many musicians who sing every night in Nashville to include a 16th century folk song to their setlist every night “Die Gedanken sind Frei”. Thoughts are free. And for those of you who are interested check out Pete Seeger’s rendition on youtube.
TN
Error in typing. What I wanted to say was that at one time, TN was a nice place to live and visit and in which to spend $. Not so much anymore.
Has anyone filed a lawsuit in TN?
This isn’t “law”: it’s bigotry, plain and simple. Screw these people.
This is not Freedom in America. People are People, leave them be .