National free-speech groups protest penguin book decision
By Elizabeth Coe
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