Isn't it telling how libraries are now a focus of far-right 'protests'? We've discussed here the timidity of the Garda response to the disruption of workplaces of working people and I've no optimism that it will stop any time soon without significant push back from the authorities. It's no cost to those 'protesting' whatever the impacts on workers and users of the libraries. I think the approach of regarding this as a workplace safety issue would be useful to push and it is heartening to see unions at the centre of the efforts to stop this.
As to the proximate issue the 'protests' are supposedly about. In a hyper-sexualised media and social media world the idea that libraries are somehow a problem seems so wide of the mark as to be utterly absurd. Pick up the device closest to you and you'll see, should the mood take you, near enough anything you want. The idea that entirely innocuous, in fact useful and educative and helpful, books would have a pernicious impact on children or young adults whether LGBTQ+ or otherwise is so ridiculous, particularly given that broader environment, that those indulging themselves in this nonsense should be laughed out of the libraries they disrupt.
As an indication of a turn towards the irrational you'd hardly find a better example.
Or would you? I read this and I wonder are we seeing a broader based phenomenon?
The largest school district in Texas announced its libraries will be eliminated and replaced with discipline centers in the new school year.
Houston independent school district announced earlier this summer that librarian and media-specialist positions in 28 schools will be eliminated as part of superintendent Mike Miles's "new education system" initiative.
Teachers at these schools will soon have the option to send misbehaving students to these discipline centers, or "team centers'" – designated areas where they will continue to learn remotely.
And:
Houston's mayor, Sylvester Turner, condemned the district's move and said the solution to the problem of behavioral conduct was not to revoke access to books, especially in these underserved communities.
He said: "Are there students who need additional support? Yes, and I am 100% supportive of that. But it's not an eithe/or. You don't close the libraries, remove the librarians, and simply have the books on the shelf. What about all the other students? What are you saying to them?"
He added: "With all due respect to the superintendent, I grew up in this city. I still live in the same neighborhood that exists. I am the mayor of this city, and I am the mayor of every person who lives in the city of Houston."
He urged schools to open up libraries to avoid creating a two-tier system within the district, as well as providing additional support to students who need it.
And:
The Houston independent school district did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
This no doubt is all grist to the mill to right and far right culture warriors, but rather like the disruption of libraries here it indicates tooth-grinding stupidity. What sort of society, what sort of economy, do those pursuing this course, think they will wind up with given a de-educated population?
Funny, peculiar, the fear of books, that so many wish to destroy them or conceal them. Telling the obliviousness, at least in part, to screens.
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