‘I am embarrassed to be a student in Escambia County.’ District bans 3 more books.

"All Boys Aren’t Blue," "And Tango Makes Three" and "When Aidan Became a Brother" are the latest book titles to join the growing list of banned books in Escambia County Public Schools.

In a special board meeting Monday night, all three books in question — which explored topics such as gender identity and same sex relationships — were voted for immediate removal. "All Boys Aren't Blue" was particularly scrutinized for detailing two sexual encounters and an instance of sexual assault. The titles will not be able to be challenged again for five years following the vote.

The nixed reads are among over 160 other titles that sit on the district’s challenged title list, many of which have stemmed from district high school teacher, Vicki Baggett, who presented a list of over 100 titles she wanted to be purged last year.  In addition to the list of the challenged books, the district’s libraries are simultaneously under review. Media specialist Michelle White anticipates this will require checking over 100,000 titles.

"The Perks of Being a Wallflower" was the first book off the list to be removed, after the board voted 4-1 that the book was inappropriate for an optional 12^th grade novel study last year.

“I believe in parental rights,” District 1 board member Kevin Adams said Monday. “Every one of our students gets a library card to the public library. I respect their right to go and get whatever books they want for their child, and I think that is what’s missing in here. It’s just not something that should be in the school district. We should be focusing on the education of these students."

Other board members like Patty Hightower of District 4, could see their significance.

“I am one of those people that thinks that reading books opens your mind, but it does not necessarily change who you are or what you do. But it makes you a more compassionate and caring person,” Hightower said.

When Baggett brought her list of books to the district, she claimed the books were filled with “indoctrination” and “LGBTQ agenda.” However, when the books were brought before the district’s Instructional Materials Review Committee, their recommendation to support all three books said otherwise.

Over 100 ECPS books challenged100+ 'questionable' books placed in restricted section while Escambia schools review them

ECPS reach agreement with unionEscambia County Public Schools reaches agreement with union, including $2,000 raise

Board rejects all 3 committee recommendations

The Instructional Materials Review Committee, composed of administrators, teachers, parents and community members per district requirements, found that all three books did have educational merit and did not violate Florida statute as the complaint originally stated.

When analyzing the books, specifically questionable portions such as there being two dad penguins in a children’s story, the committee found the books not to be harmful for district students. In some instances, they found them beneficial.

“Having two same sex parents is not considered abnormal in our society,” the committee’s report stated on "And Tango Makes Three." “Many of the students in our district have same sex parents.”

However, the board disagreed with the committee recommendations for all three books, even for independent, reading purposes.

Ellen Odom, the general counsel to the board, cautioned that the bans open up the board to legal challenges based on political expediency and issues of religion.

“I would be very weary of going down that road,” Odom said.

Public pleads for book removal

Concerned members of the public debated the books for nearly five hours — whether they were age appropriate, agenda-setting or a flat-out abomination before God.

Others like Keith Bowe, spoke out against the idea of gender fluidity being included in children's literature and felt those kinds of conversations should be reserved for a one-on-one setting with a family member.

“It’s a wonderful time of life to not be burdened by things they are not ready to understand, feelings they don’t feel. We’re not banning the book, we’re letting the parents decide when it’s appropriate for that time,” Bowe said.

Aaron Schneider took his complaints one step further, saying the content were not acceptable for children’s eyes at any age, and it is the parent’s responsibility to protect them.

“God does not accept us violating children by giving them sexually explicit things," Schneider said.

Joshua Luther echoed the sentiment, critiquing the books’ message of normalizing topics taboo to Christianity, such as same-sex marriage.

“(God) gave marriage as a beautiful picture of his relationship with His people. But we want to distort that picture, because we hate God. We have to repent of that," he said. "All the people that come to defend these books need to repent."

The ‘not-so-right-reverend’

When God entered into the conversation, Rick Branch, the minister of Music at First United Methodist Church, was quick to bring a different message to bring the board − one that advocated fiercely for the titles to remain on the shelves, and for the youth who are represented by the fictional characters inside of them.

“I wanted to let them know that there are Christians who want to build a better world by including and loving everyone, not by excluding those we’re uncomfortable with,” Branch said. “I have worked with youth all my life. … I have seen the hurt that has been caused by people who say God doesn’t love you the way they are."

Reading the room, he deemed his opinion was an unpopular one. Even so, he said he was still compelled to speak on behalf of youth.

“I am a white, Anglo-Saxon, cisgender, Protestant, Christian male. I can find myself reflected in society everywhere. But for this this book ("All Boys Aren't Blue") — Black, queer, youth — they can’t find that everywhere," Branch said.

Representation through reading

After hours of discussion over what is truly the best for students — Ella Jane Hoffmaster, a student herself at Booker T. Washington High School and co-vice president of the student government association — shared her distaste over the vote.

"I am currently embarrassed to be a student in Escambia County tonight,” Hoffmaster said. “When I was a kid — I loved the book Junie B. Jones. I loved it because Junie B. looked like me. She had red hair, and she had similar personality traits as me. I’ve always wondered what it would be like for my Black brothers and sisters who may not have seen themselves in books as much. Or my transgender, gay, or lesbian brothers and sisters who may not have seen themselves as much."

Sara Latshaw, deputy political director at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Florida, echoed Hoffmaster’s concerns, that the board’s repeal would be a direct attack on student representation.

“The school board faces civil liability for removing the books. The school board cannot engage in viewpoint discrimination,” she said. “I hope we can rise above unnecessary political divides to represent the values of this community and ensure that all children our represented by our school library and the first amendment is protected in Escambia County.”

Despite the lengthiness of the process, Superintendent Timothy Smith said the process worked as it was intended when it was created, leading up to the board’s decision.

“I’m really pleased with how Michelle (White) has taken what the board has decided on, as far as a process, and put it into place. She has done so with detail, intricacy and has covered all the various aspects of it....I think the board did a great job in taking in all the material, going over the book, listening to all the residents who spoke, then making a decision. I think they really made the process work as it was designed to work, and that’s to take a deep look into the matter and make the best decision that was available,” Smith added.

The next reconsideration of educational materials meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 23 regarding the book, "Ground Zero" by Alan Gratz.