‘Obscenity’ a smokescreen in library election

You know, my curiosity was piqued when I saw a list float to the top of the outrageous debate surrounding our library. A “books to avoid” list from a Kootenai and Shoshone-based group called Cleanbooks4kidz. A list that should include a variety of topics that could potentially count as “obscenity,” right? Let’s look at the numbers. As of May 4, there were 807 titles on that list. Of those, 620 are on that list because of gay, gender identity, or transgender issue-oriented content. That’s 77%. In contrast, There are 19 books involving rape, and one involving violence. That’s 2% and 0%. I’ve been told that this whole effort is not motivated by anti-LGBTQ animosity, so I’m confused.

I latched on to something at the candidate forum, and that was the complaint about adults perceiving fewer books that reflect their politics and values on display. Imagine how much damage would be done to a gay kid or a trans kid who finds that quite literally all of the books by and about people like them have been locked away in some room to “protect children from harm.” Wouldn’t that actively harm children in the community who need to see themselves reflected in the media to let them know that they’re valid? Those kids aren’t harming the children of this community, they are children of this community. “Obscenity” is a smoke screen. I’m voting for the candidate protecting the children who need protecting. I’m voting for Susan Shea on May 16.

HALDAN GATES

Sandpoint