Below I have attached two letters which appeared in the Mountain Mail.
These letters have quite a bit in common:
- They are written by Salida Regional Library employees.
- Neither letter acknowledges the authors conflict of interest as paid library employees.
- Neither letter informs us that the books in question were never in the children’s library.
- Both letters seem to defend that the library defines their own standards, and no one, but especially members of the Catholic Church, can be allowed to question any action taken by the Library.
Please read the Susan Matthews emails. Library Management and at least some employees were enjoying the notoriety. Congratulations for the brave stand came from library management all over Colorado. You could even say that Salida Library Staff was basking in the limelight. Never a mention these books were not actually in the children’s library.
Whether you like it or not, people are allowed to disagree. It does not automatically render them evil and worthy of only contempt. The reality is the library staff was practicing the same type of intolerance they claim resides only in others. There was a time when those in charge used official power and threats to silence the gay community. Now you are doing the same to silence the Catholic community. Same shit, different day. You think of yourselves as being so evolved but are instead the ideological descendant of the troglodyte gay haters of the past. You have just chosen a different target to bash. Stop hating. Start thinking.
Responds to Rev. James Williams
Dear Editor:
I am compelled to respond to Rev. James Williams’ recent thoughts on book banning and (canceled) Rosary Rally. I’m writing as a member of the community, parent and book advocate.
It’s been said the best way to eliminate prejudice and ignorance is to travel. However, not everyone has the means to travel and the closest some may get to learning about other cultures and societies is through books, movies and music
Through books I have hidden in a closet in Warsaw, sat in a car where a Black man was shot for reaching for his wallet, watched a mother’s heart shatter as her boy was bullied for wearing dresses. I’ve been homeless, rich, 4 years old, an astronaut and had various disabilities. I’ve felt compassion, joy, heartache and pain. I’ve cried and rejoiced. I’ve learned countless things about other cultures, religions, ethnicities and countries. The most priceless thing I’ve learned? Empathy.
Rev. James quotes “The Hiding Place” by Corrie Ten Boom. He’s fortunate he has access to this book as it has been challenged in various school libraries.
He references a part where the girl asks her father about sex, and he decides the knowledge is too heavy for her to bear.
Yes, there are weights too heavy for our children to carry. One’s a cellphone, with direct access to every burden imaginable – past, current, some not even real. Teens are depressed and suicidal at an all-time high; they are carrying heavy burdens. This weight is social media, not literature from libraries.
So, what can we do? I hope Rev. James agrees with me. As parents, we can guide children toward books with experiences that teach and speak to them. As a society, we trust families to make these decisions themselves. We trust the right stories will make it into the right hands, at the right time. We have open, honest conversations with our teens. We are involved and accepting. We do not judge. We do not dictate what other parents are allowed to teach their children. We never decide to remove a book from a shelf that may just be the lifeline that some other soul needs. It is not for us to decide for everyone.
Once you request literature removed from shelves, you set a precedent. You set a precedent that the next book to be challenged and removed might just be yours.
TaAnna Brown,
Salida
Feels ‘response is required‘
Dear Editor:
To say that I feel compelled to respond to Rev. Williams’ response to his church’s actions would be an understatement; I feel a response is required. As a parent, daughter, sister, human, friend, ally and, yes, a librarian, I feel that the “church” and Rev. Williams’ response is morally repugnant, insulting and degrading.
The Catholic church has been hiding years of sexual abuse by its clergy. It is ironic that they feel the need to “protect the children” from items available in libraries. Perhaps they should spend a little time protecting children from the perversion available within the church itself.
Rev. Williams felt the need to go on the defensive and state, “We stood falsely accused of targeting the LGBTQ+ community.” Every book on their circulated list was an LGBTQ±related title. So, is that just a coincidence? The church wouldn’t target a specific group, would they?
These titles are not “perversion that is being pushed into our nation’s children at their schools and libraries.” Libraries do not require their patrons to read anything; they simply make items available for those who would like to read them. The reverend states that “many who condemn us have not seen the books at the heart of this matter.” I ask, has he? I have. Not all to be fair, but most of them. I’ve read “Gender Queer”; I’ve discussed the subject matter with my children as I believe it will make them move through the world with more grace and kindness in their hearts. This is my choice as a parent, which each family and individual gets to make for themselves.
That’s the root of it. The church does not get to make these choices for me or for anyone. Don’t like it? Don’t read it. But don’t tell me or anyone else what books we’re allowed to read, or what books belong in the library. All books belong in the library; the shelves hold something for everyone, whatever your journey is.
In the not too distant past, the Bible was often the target of removal from libraries, due to its graphic, violent, misogynistic, abusive, murdering and judgmental content.
To Rev. Williams, I say, have your rosary party but keep it away from the library. Salida showed up for the library and Salida will show up again. The library will continue to have titles for everyone.
Amy Potts,
Salida
