“The hate level is unreal”: fighting book bans and protecting librarians

“The hate level is unreal”: fighting book bans and protecting librarians

Author: Ethical Schools November 15, 2024 Duration: 29:56

We speak with Amanda Jones, a school librarian in Livingston Parish, Louisiana. Ms. Jones is the author of “That Librarian: The Fight Against Book Banning in America.” The book recounts how speaking out for race- and gender-related books in libraries led to her being targeted and threatened by book-banning extremists. She describes initial abandonment by friends and colleagues who were afraid to speak up. But nationwide, librarians and their constituents are fighting back.  Ms. Jones includes tips for librarians and teachers facing attacks.

Overview

00:00-00:47 Intros

00:47-01:35 What a Library Board of Control is

01:35-02:16 What Amanda Jones said at Board of Control meeting

02:16-02:33 Trevor Project

02:33-03:19 Board of Control members’ responses

03:19-04:48 What happened then

04:48-05:38 Reactions by friends and neighbors to attacks 

05:38-06:16 Reactions from school administrators and colleagues

06:16-07:02 Changes over time

07:02-09:09 Impact on children of marginalized communities of books with characters like them

09:09-11:19 How decisions of what books to purchase for school libraries get made

11:19-11:53 Guidelines

11:53-13:58 Processes when there are book challenges

13:58-14:45 Decision process in public libraries

14:45-15:30 Appeal to courts

15:30-18:39 Impetus for book banning campaigns

18:39-20:49


Conversations about education often focus on test scores and curriculum, but there’s a deeper layer that truly shapes a student’s experience. Ethical Schools digs into that layer, exploring what it means to build a learning community grounded in integrity and care. Each week, hosts Amy and Jon sit down with educators and innovators who are actively reimagining schools. You’ll hear specific, grounded discussions about the practical work of creating environments where every student feels safe and respected. The dialogue frequently addresses how to support young people dealing with trauma, moving beyond theory to share actionable strategies that teachers are using right now. More than just problem-solving, this podcast highlights how to empower students themselves to become advocates and changemakers in their own communities. It’s a series that connects philosophy with daily practice, looking at the social and cultural structures within schools through a lens of ethics. For anyone invested in the future of education-whether you’re a teacher, administrator, or simply a concerned community member-this podcast offers a thoughtful and necessary perspective on the foundational values that make education meaningful.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 240

Ethical Schools
Podcast Episodes
Post-Graduation Planning: Helping students to explore myriad options [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:30
Lindsey Dixon, Director of Career Readiness at Urban Assembly, talks about helping students make more informed college and career decisions. The current model is restrictive and outdated, leading to suboptimal outcomes f…
The “Name Game”: racialization in a suburban high school [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:30
Drs. Tony de Jesus, Anthony Johnston, and Don Siler of University of St. Joseph recount their intervention in a multiracial high school in crisis. White students had instigated a “game” of addressing Black students as th…
Centering SEL for social and economic mobility [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:30
David Adams is Director of Social Emotional Learning at NYC’s Urban Assembly, a network of schools that does not screen students. David focuses on the intersection of academic and technical skills, social-emotional compe…
The Algebra Project: Math Literacy and Empowerment [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:00
Kate Belin teaches math at Fannie Lou Hamer Freedom High School, a progressive public school in the Bronx, where she implements the Algebra Project, an initiative that connects math to students’ lived experiences. We tal…