GOP lawmaker denounces librarian criticism amid fiery book debate in Tenn.
Amid ongoing debates about the school curricula and library books available to Tennessee children, a Republican House leader on Thursday suggested some conservative critics went too far this week when comparing librarians to sexual predators.
Rep. Jeremy Faison, R-cosby, called criticism heaped on school librarians at a Wednesday subcommittee meeting unfounded and “very unfair.”
“I have two boys in public school, and the librarian in their school is a wonderful friend of ours,” Faison said. “I know the librarians in all of our district, they’re nothing like that. They’re people I trust my children with.”
The Republican caucus chair criticized the decorum and tone of testimony given Wednesday on HB1944, which would ban books and other materials deemed “obscene or harmful to minors,” something the Tennessee Library Association said is already defined by law and does not occur. The bill was introduced by Rep. Scott Cepicky, R-culkeola. In lengthy and often heated testimony, supporters of the bill suggested “pornography” was made available to Tennessee school children through school libraries, criticizing one book that was written to educate adolescents on puberty and sexuality. One speaker conflated adults sexting minors with books that might address sexuality, while another suggested material that discussed difficult issues such as rape were “stealing the innocence of children.”
Country music star John Rich, of the band Big & Rich, has been an outspoken critic of Tennessee curricula and libraries, lobbying Gov. Bill Lee on the issue last year. Rich testified on the bill last week, comparing teachers and librarians with “a guy in a white van pulling up at the edge of school when school lets out.”
One speaker on Wednesday shouted over Rep. G. A. Hardaway, D-memphis, while he was discussing his faith, asking him if he was “defending porn” because he did not support the bill.
Faison on Thursday decried the lack of decorum on Wednesday, which he said was inappropriate for the legislature.
“To try to shore up your argument by having a generic statement, in the way that was done yesterday? Shame on them,” Faison said. “If you have to prove your argument by attacking a group of people, then your argument is invalid . ... It’s unfortunate to see anyone come in, whether it’s on the right or the left, and behave such as they did or say what they did.”
Lt. Gov. Randy Mcnally, R-oak Ridge, said Thursday he thinks the bill would have a “very difficult time” making its way through the Senate if it is “structured” around some of the comments made Wednesday.
The bill advanced out of subcommittee on Wednesday, though Rep. Michael Curcio, R-dickson, predicted it would face a court challenge if enacted into law.
Though Faison was critical of many the bill’s supporters on Thursday, Republican leadership continues to support increased library oversight, which they say is needed for increased transparency and parental involvement.
Lee last month began pushing the separate “Age-appropriate Materials” bill, which requires schools to maintain inventory lists and establishes a review procedure for objected material, though many Tennessee librarians say these methods are already in place.
Lee’s bill passed the Senate last week and awaits a House vote.
“The goal is that everybody’s working together to make sure that our children are getting a good education and that they are getting that education through materials that are age-appropriate,” said House Majority Leader William Lamberth, R-portland.