Today at Thomas Pyle Middle School in Bethesda, Maryland the children are being fed a false narrative about banned books in America.

On the morning announcements today, they’re being told :

“It is National Banned Books Week. Censorship happens when people impose their personal political or moral values on others. It is about controlling how people think about things or if they think of them at all. In The Lorax, Dr. Seuss’ environmental children's book, the Once-ler describes the results of the local pollution problem. It was then banned because it was believed to portray logging in a poor light and would turn children against the foresting industry. In other words, people who cut down trees didn't want children learning about the negative effects of cutting down trees. Celebrate Banned Books Week. Read for your rights!”

Now, here’s the truth about “The Lorax was banned”, debunking the example shared above with students. 🧵⬇️ 📚 In 1989 in Laytonville Unified School District in Northern California - a primarily logging family community who made their living through the timber industry considered what message ‘The Lorax’ sent to children in their district about their families and their way of life. They were attempting to acknowledge the dynamics of their student body. The School Board voted to keep the book on the second grade reading list. The book was NEVER “banned.”

Let us not forget who was actually banned and canceled: Dr. Seuss.
🧵⬇️❌