Restrictions not black and white

Editor,

In response to the editorial, Access to Information Should Not Be Denied, in the July 14 issue, I would first like to share that the widespread "book ban" you address, is nothing of the sort. The Oxford dictionary defines ban as "officially or legally prohibit." The destruction of any material in question is not what's being called for. It is the simple fact that we are dealing with minors who are in the process of vital development. Books that contain information on sexual content and other complex topics have no place in the hands of students who are also learning to tie their shoes and perfect their coloring. There is a call for not wanting them in school libraries, but there is no legislation keeping them out of public hands. Parents have control over what their children do when they are at home and they should be able to trust the teachers and staff while their student is at school. Graphic novels depicting sexual acts have no place in front of minors.

The ease of access of such material is immense on the world wide web and that is where the parents come into play, however they see fit. Students are, most likely, going to hear about such things, but disrupting the natural process is unnecessary. Such books can be written, can be published, and can be sold. But the books of a public school library are specially curated and just because the book is printed, doesn't mean it deserves a place in the children's library.

What's also happening is that this topic is being highly politicized. Governor J.B. Pritzker of Illinois was quoted in saying, "regimes ban books, democracies do not." Pritzker seems to be furthering the misconception that such material is going to be destroyed, with no further access to the content. Additionally, his quote is highly divisive and seems to insinuate that if you want protections in schools you have a regime driven mindset versus that of a lover of democracy.

This topic is not black and white. Could it be said that the computer site restrictions that the schools impose also be lifted, for students to browse whatever content they want when they are working on their personal laptops, free of reprimand? No one is banning books. No one is planning any book bonfires. No material is being made illegal.

Callie Jacobson,

Thompson Falls