A Classroom Without Books

A classroom with empty bookshelves is teaching a lesson. It is teaching our kids that it is normal for the state to censor books.

Mad Sociologist

16 Jan 2024

1 minute

Censorship, Censorship in Florida, Censorship in the classroom, The real DeSantis

WE CAN’T TEACH OUR STUDENTS THAT THIS IS NORMAL

Early this morning I walked to my classroom feeling refreshed from enjoying a three-day weekend with my family. I was looking forward to taking on the day with my new batch of students for this semester. I unlocked the door, turned on the light, and that refreshed feeling vanished.

Here’s what I walked into.

Six hundred books were removed from my classroom by my admin.

The books were carted off to a “secure location” in the office. After school I was allowed to get my books, but I had to be escorted to my truck so the Assistant Principal could watch me load up my vehicle and remove them from campus.

We’re just following the policy. My admin insists that we have to follow the policy.

I guess that’s the definition of tyranny. Just following the policy, blindly.

2 responses to “A Classroom Without Books”

Alexes Young

January 16, 2024 at 4:42 pm

This is extremely disappointing and disheartening! I’m sorry you had to experience this. Moreover, I’m saddened that your students have to see this. On the other hand, I would be tempted to leave the shelves empty with a note about something being missing and the effect on their education and freedom to choose.

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