Thread by @ashleyhopeperez

My fantasy parent book content complaint form:

Title:
Did you read it?
Description of the book (in your own words):
One positive theme in the book:
What conversations are possible because of book?
Your primary concern:
How do passages of concern relate to book as a whole?

I think what is key is to frame parental concerns about book contents as the beginning of a conversation, not the end of one.

@r_bittner @AdvInCensorship @ncacensorship

@r_bittner @AdvInCensorship @ncacensorship We can model how to contextualize passages that might seem objectionable; we can offer similar examples from "classic" texts; we can provide resources that help parents see the opportunity to talk to their kids about issues because of the book.

I know that this is fantasizing parent concerns that are actually sincere... and parents with an interest in reading the books. But the audience is not just the parent with the complaint.

The audience is also the reasonable segment of the community who generally support youth access but might be made reluctant to support a book when what's being emphasized is only the "tricky" content.

I think these folks--upon seeing a reasonable, balanced response from the district--may relax or even welcome the conversation.

My goal is not to see parent concerns--even extreme ones--dismissed, but for those concerns to initiate a different course of action than book banning.

One problem that comes up in these situations, I think, is the perception (from those opposed to content) that the district "isn't doing anything" about what they view as a problem. Having a clear set of actions--other than book removal--can answer that allegation.