In a recent development, the U.S. Department of Education‘s Office of Civil Rights has stepped in to address a contentious issue concerning a suburban Atlanta school district. The Forsyth County school district faced scrutiny for its decision to remove certain books from its libraries, which ultimately led to accusations of creating a hostile environment and violating federal laws against race and sex discrimination. While the district has settled the complaint, the implications of this intervention are far-reaching, potentially impacting efforts to ban books in public school districts nationwide, especially those focused on LGBTQ+ and nonwhite content.
Forsyth County, known as Georgia’s most affluent county, has been at the center of a heated debate surrounding book removals. In January 2022, the district removed eight books, including notable works such as Toni Morrison’s “The Bluest Eye.” However, after further consideration, seven books were allowed to return, while George M. Johnson’s memoir, “All Boys Aren’t Blue,” remained excluded. The federal intervention did not fault the district’s removal process based on sexually explicit material. Instead, it highlighted the problematic communication surrounding these removals at school board meetings.
The U.S. Department of Education’s letter pointed out that the discussions during board meetings conveyed the impression that diverse authors and characters, including LGBTQ+ individuals and nonwhite authors, were being intentionally excluded. This messaging sparked increased fears and potential harassment within the school community. One student even expressed concerns about the deteriorating school environment and his fear of attending school during a board meeting. The findings from the Department of Education lend support to the fears that the district’s actions were endorsing anti-gay views, as stated by Becky Woomer of the Forsyth Coalition for Education.
To address the issue, the Forsyth County school district has agreed to implement measures aimed at explaining the book removal process to students and providing support to those who may have been harmed. Additionally, the district plans to incorporate questions regarding this matter into its annual school climate survey for middle and high school students. The settlement seeks to dispel any impressions that perpetuate negative views and ensure effective communication with the student body.
The controversy over book removals in Forsyth County was further intensified by protests led by a conservative group called Mama Bears of Forsyth County. These protests, which included reading sexually explicit passages from the books at board meetings, prompted legal action and a subsequent ban on one group member attending board meetings. While the settlement reached with the U.S. Department of Education addresses the federal government’s concerns, book challenges have persisted in the county under a 2022 Georgia law that enables parents to challenge material they deem obscene.
The ongoing book challenges and controversies surrounding curriculum content are not unique to Forsyth County or Georgia. Numerous states, including Georgia, have seen an increase in efforts to challenge books and restrict their availability. The American Library Association reported over 1,200 challenges to books nationwide in 2022, the highest number recorded in the past two decades. Recent lawsuits, such as the one filed against Florida’s Escambia County school system, highlight the continued battles over book removals and restrictions, despite recommendations from review committees.
As the discourse surrounding book censorship and inclusivity in education continues, the intervention by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights in Forsyth County serves as a reminder of the importance of fostering an inclusive learning environment that embraces diversity, including LGBTQ+ content and authors of all backgrounds. The outcome of this settlement and the ongoing struggles in other districts will shape the future landscape of education and the freedom to access diverse perspectives.