Detroit Evening Report: Dearborn school board meeting about book bans draws hundreds

The removal of at least six books from Dearborn school libraries was the focus for hundreds who attended Thursday’s Board of Education meeting.

Many supported banning the books under review, which include titles such as “This Book is Gay” by Jono Dawson. Supporters of the book removals say they contain sexual themes that are inappropriate for kids. The full list of books under review by the district’s new Book Reconsideration Committee are:

• “Push” by Sapphire;
• “The Lovely Bones” by Alice Sebold;
• “Eleanor and Park” by Rainbow Rowell;
• “Red, White and Royal Blue” by Casey McQuiston;
• “All Boys Aren’t Blue” by George M. Johnson; and
• “This Book is Gay” by Juno Dawson.

Yasmine Roukiaya is a writer who has children in the Dearborn public schools. She says banning books sends the wrong message.

“How are you going to look at other people in your community that are queer and deny them books on the shelves, deny them a place at the table just because you feel uncomfortable by something that you don’t really understand or don’t really care to understand,” commented Roukiaya.

Dearborn school officials state some of the books in question have never been checked out by students.

Other headlines for October 14, 2022:

• Activist group “Detroit Will Breathe” accepts City of Detroit’s $1 million settlement over police’s use of force
• Vice President Kamala Harris visits Metro Detroit this weekend
• Detroit ready to build new auto parts plant at former American Motors headquarters
• Carr Center to celebrate women in jazz this month