Parental Consent Needed To Read Anti-Racism Book At Sarasota Schools

SARASOTA COUNTY, FL — While the Sarasota County School Board denied requests to ban an anti-racism book, middle schools now need parental permission before they can check it out, according to multiple reports.

At Tuesday’s meeting, the board discussed a challenge from a parent to remove "Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You" by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi, which discusses racism and privilege, from middle and high school classrooms and libraries.

The book is No. 6 on the American Civil Liberties Union’s list of “10 Books Politicians Don’t Want You to Read.” It was also No. 1 on the New York Times bestseller list.

Related Stories:

• After Parents Read Rape Scenes At Board Meeting Schools Remove Books
• Man Seeks Court Order To Remove 'Sexually Explicit' Books From Schools
• Banned Books Week: What Titles Have Been Removed From Some FL Schools?
• Embracing Our Differences Art Exhibit Vandalized: Sarasota Police

Allison Euker, whose child attends Venice Middle School, initially filed her challenge with the district in May. She expressed concern that the book, which isn’t part of the curriculum, promotes critical race theory and teaches students that white people are inherently racist, according to WTSP.

"This is about understanding the impact within our society, within our children, within their interaction, and also their emotional well-being to take that information in," she said.

After reviewing the book, the district decided it should remain on school shelves, the Sarasota Herald-Tribune reported. She appealed their decision, which moved the issue to the school board for consideration.

Ahead of Tuesday’s meeting, a district committee decided that the book should remain in school libraries because it isn’t required reading or part of instructional materials, reports said.

Several community members spoke in support of the book at Tuesday’s meeting, according to the Suncoast News Network.

“You want to ban a book saying racism isn’t right and your reason is that this book is racist?” one Booker Middle School student said.

Euker was also given time to speak before the board, saying, “The content of this book is a concern due to extremely one-sided perspective, use of critical race ideological language and strongly editorialized inferences regarding intent.”

The board’s legal counsel, Patrick Duggan, told them that the book is age-appropriate and, since it is self-selected reading and not assigned by a teacher, complies with Florida law, according to the Herald-Tribune.

Florida’s Stop Woke Act, which went into effect last year, bans the teaching of critical race theory in the state’s public schools.

The board voted 3 to 2 to keep the book on middle school and high school library shelves while requiring parental consent for sixth- through eighth-grade students. High school students don’t need permission to check it out.

Tom Edwards and Bridget Ziegler voted against the decision.