In the tranquil town near Chattanooga, Tennessee, a well-intended Mother’s Day reading event designed for young children has unexpectedly ignited a fierce controversy. Alpine Crest Elementary School librarian, Caroline Mickey, intended to host a celebration that was mindful of the fact that “not all students live with a mother,” thereby recognizing individuals who play pivotal maternal roles in children’s lives.
Books for Change
Mickey had chosen two books for the occasion – ‘Mother Bruce‘, a touching tale about a father bear adopting a gaggle of goslings, and ‘Stella Brings the Family‘, which narrates the story of a girl raised by two dads and her curiosity about Mother’s Day. These books, rated as age-appropriate for children between two and five years old, were set to be read aloud to students from kindergarten to second grade. An alternative lesson was also available for parents who wished to opt their children out of this special event.
Backlash from Conservative Parents
However, the intended celebration didn’t resonate well with a conservative group known as Moms for Liberty. The Hamilton County, Tennessee chapter took to social media, expressing vehement disapproval for the planned reading. They criticized Mickey’s decision to send a note home with young children, questioned the alternative lesson plan, and suggested that non-traditional families should be the ones opting out. In a local newspaper, the group further escalated the issue, insinuating that Mickey’s book choices aimed to “erase motherhood” on Mother’s Day.
School Officials Fail to Support
Despite the harsh public criticism and private emails branding her as a “groomer” and an enemy of birth mothers, Mickey was left unsupported by school officials. An email from one member of Moms for Liberty to Hamilton Schools Superintendent, Dr. Justin Robertson, resulted in a lukewarm response that ultimately led to the cancellation of the event.
This incident serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing struggle for acceptance and understanding of diverse family structures, even in seemingly innocuous events such as a Mother’s Day reading.