No new book bans in Seminole

Seminole County Public Schools’ meeting went late into the evening Tuesday night, as members of Moms for Liberty took hours reading excerpts from books the group wants to see banned from the schools. 

The room was at capacity, and people waited outside for a chance to come in and speak. More than 30 members of Moms for Liberty spoke, many reading excerpts from books with explicit language.

Jessica Tillmann, chairman of Seminole County Moms for Liberty, organized the readings. She said it’s not about banning books.

“Our goal is to remove pornographic books from the school library,” Tillmann said. “We have actually submitted 57 books to the district and they ignored it. They are knowingly leaving pornography, sexually explicit content in the school books.”

Florida House Bill 1069 became law in July, and allows parents to read excerpts of books they want banned at school board meetings. If stopped by the board, the books are taken off the shelves. The move has been successful in other parts of the state.

A large number of people opposed to the book bans also spoke at the meeting. Many brought red cards to hold up when they disagreed with a speaker; likewise, green placards and thumbs up were given when they agreed. The idea was to be civil – so that the crowd reaction didn’t escalate tensions and ultimately get some books banned. 

Former Seminole County teacher Maggie Paredes said parents should have a voice – all parents. 

“First of all, get the teacher’s opinion on the book,” Paredes said. “You don’t know how disappointing it was for me to look through my books about African American kids and think ‘Can I teach this to my kids?’ When most of my kids were kids of color. They need to see representation.”

Paredes said she worries the book bans will spread across Florida – and go farther if Gov. Ron DeSantis becomes president. Seminole County resident and current Orange County elementary school teacher Trynetta McClenton said going after school boards is a calculated strategy from DeSantis.

“What are you so afraid of?” McClenton asked. “Why are you afraid of black and brown children knowing they are not fake kings and queens, that they come from real kings and queens? Knowing that LGBT community are real people with real feelings and ideas?”

No action was taken by the board, which let speakers go late into the night. No additional books were banned by Seminole County Public Schools.

Some parts of the books read were easily recognizable, including parts of a rape scene in Push, the novel by Sapphire. That book was the basis for the R-rated Precious movie – which won two Oscars. 

Seminole County Public Schools Spokesperson Katherine Crnkovich said that in 2022 the county had challenges to eight books. Ultimately, two were banned, and six are now on a program where a parent must approve checking out the books. 

Push was one of the six novels that now requires parental consent.

“This occurred last school year,” Crnkovich said. “To my knowledge, I’m not aware of any current challenges and this has not been a recent topic at our school board meetings until this evening.”

The books that were banned are Let’s Talk About It by Erika Moen & Matthew Nolan and Lucky by Alice Sebold. 

The books that require parental consent are: 

• Date Rape (Author: Christine Watkins) 
• Deogratias (Author: Jean-Philippe Stassen) 
• Push (Author: Sapphire) 
• Sold (Author: Patricia McCormick) 
• Triangles (Author: Ellen Hopkins) 
• Tricks (Author: Ellen Hopkins)

Have an opinion you’d like to share on this article? Consider submitting a Letter to the Editor!