Texas School District Bans Critically Acclaimed Young Adult Novel ‘The Hate U Give’
- 6 years ago
'The Hate U Give,' a critically acclaimed novel written by Angie Thomas, has been banned by the Katy, Texas school district.
'The Hate U Give,' a critically acclaimed novel written by Angie Thomas, has been banned by the Katy, Texas school district, reports Quartz.
The book's central character is a 16-year-old girl who witnessed the fatal police shooting of her young, black, and unarmed friend.
It also peppered with what Maria DiPetta, the district's manager of media relations, describes as "pervasive vulgarity."
In early November, a parent raised the profanity issue and soon after the school district banned the novel, notes Vulture.
That action has spurred some to push back.
Librarians with the district signed a petition of protest and the director of the American Library Association Office for Intellectual Freedom noted the move is a policy violation.
The book's author has weighed in on the issue as well, commenting, "I get it—some educators have an issue with the language."
"But I wrote it because I have a HUGE issue with how little value is given to black lives," she also said. "I can only hope that you'll look past the curse words and see that."
At this time, the ban on the book stands.
'The Hate U Give,' a critically acclaimed novel written by Angie Thomas, has been banned by the Katy, Texas school district, reports Quartz.
The book's central character is a 16-year-old girl who witnessed the fatal police shooting of her young, black, and unarmed friend.
It also peppered with what Maria DiPetta, the district's manager of media relations, describes as "pervasive vulgarity."
In early November, a parent raised the profanity issue and soon after the school district banned the novel, notes Vulture.
That action has spurred some to push back.
Librarians with the district signed a petition of protest and the director of the American Library Association Office for Intellectual Freedom noted the move is a policy violation.
The book's author has weighed in on the issue as well, commenting, "I get it—some educators have an issue with the language."
"But I wrote it because I have a HUGE issue with how little value is given to black lives," she also said. "I can only hope that you'll look past the curse words and see that."
At this time, the ban on the book stands.