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National free-speech groups protest penguin book decision
The Loudoun County Public Schools system has drawn national attention since a children's book about a same-sex penguin couple was removed from general circulation in elementary schools two weeks ago.Now, national anti-censorship groups have sent a letter to Schools Superintendent Edgar Hatrick III condemning his decision regarding "And Tango Makes Three."
"No one is being forced to read 'And Tango Makes Three,'" states the letter from the New York City-based National Coalition Against Censorship and the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression. "But restricting student access violates the rights of children whose parents want their children to be taught tolerance and respect for diversity."
The award-winning book tells the true story of Chinstrap penguins Roy and Silo who live in New York's Central Park Zoo and hatch an egg together. They then care for their chick, Tango, as a family.
"And Tango Makes Three" was removed from general circulation in Loudoun elementary schools after a parent of a Sugarland Elementary School student complained about its subject matter. The book can still be checked out by teachers or parents.
Although the school's principal and a district-level committee recommended the book remain available to students, Hatrick determined the subject matter could be developmentally inappropriate for some young children.
In urging Hatrick to reconsider his decision, the anti-censorship groups also voiced the opinion that the task of selecting school library officials belongs to professional librarians and educators, who in this case, were in favor of the book.
"The recommendations of [professionals] should only be reversed for compelling educational and pedagogical reasons," the letter said. "Materials should never be removed for ideological reasons,"
Wayde Byard, spokesman for Loudoun County Public Schools, said the school system has received letters both supporting and opposing Hatrick's decision, but at this point nothing has changed.
"It's a board issue," Byard said.
School Board member John Stevens is planning to re-visit the school system's polices on book challenges at the Legislative/Policy Committee meeting March 4 at 6 p.m. at the School Administration Building in Broadlands.
To visually protest Hatrick's decision, members of the gay-rights group Equality Loudoun plan to attend the Feb. 26 School Board meeting, wearing black and white.
"And Tango Makes Three," written by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson was honored as a National Children's Book in 2006 and was a finalist for the Lambda Literary Award that year.
It was also one of the most challenged books that year.
Contact the reporter at ecoe@timespapers.com
I cannot believe here it is 2008 and we're using time and resources about items like a book. It is terrible that kids of same sex parents cannot feel normal, loved, appreciated and cannot check out a simple book that reflects their own family unit? If it can help them understand - why not? Who is it hurting? Ignorant parents with nothing better to do with their kids. Or self-absorbed parents that are afraid of answering a question like why do some kids have 2 mommy's? I am a dad of 3 kids under 5 and my kids get truthful answers when they inquire. (well, not about Santa) I'd say to the parent that whined to get a life and check out a book about sticking your head in the sand and what that will do to their helpless kids. Those poor kids are in for a real shocker when they go for a stroll on Saturday afternoon, or to the movies! Just wait till they log on to the internet - one day! Come on LCPS - get a backbone and move on with more important issues. Tell the parents like this to simply check out another item. Hey, just let them sue! Numerous organizations like the ACLU may defend Loudoun. I see books and mags all the time that I don't agree with but it is America! All of our tax dollars pay for libraries so all subjects even sensitive ones should be allowed. It is ridiculous to say "ID REQUIRED - Like buying cigarettes or a beer you have to be 21 in order to check out this kids cartoon book"
Posted by B_Richie_Blick
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Well I don't know as there is much of an agenda IN the book but it sure looks like most of the people talking about it have one.
Posted by observer
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The tv show the "The View" has invited Dr. Hatrick to speak on the show. Let see him stand up to National attention on this one.
Posted by DandeWithTheWolf
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This is not quite accurate. While Equality Loudoun did pass on to our members the information about parents planning to attend the meeting, that visual presence was not planned by us. The vast majority of parents who have contacted us about this matter are not associated with our group and were previously unknown to us.
I think that the agenda of these parents is simply to insure that one parent does not have the power to decide what every other parent's child can read.
Posted by David
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Can't children who want to read this book still go the public library or book store to get a copy? I think this subject matter is best suited for middle or high school aged children instead of elementary school aged ones. His decision wasn’t based on discrimination but on the fact that “Hatrick determined the subject matter could be developmentally inappropriate for some young children”. The key word being SOME.
Posted by dpunty
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You overlook the fact that Hatrick contravened the recommendations of the two review committees. If their expertise is going to be ignored, why waste their time?
The decision was based on discrimination - the prejudice of a single complaining parent whose children, it turns out, may not even attend Sugarland.
Please spare us the argument that the book is available elsewhere. If it is not in general circulation in our elementary schools, it does not have the same availability to students as other books recommended for the same age group - ages 4-8. That is discrimination.
Posted by David
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As soon as the nut job evangelicals admit that God creates gays too (it's not a choice) the sooner "issues" like this will go away.
Posted by MarkKay
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