Does a book challenge constitute discrimination? A bill in the Oregon Legislature offers an answer * Oregon ArtsWatch

During the Tillamook School Board's meeting on October 14, a board member dismissed a discrimination complaint linked to the removal of a book, stating "There was no discrimination." This decision reflects a broader pattern of book censorship often targeting works by LGBTQ authors and authors of color.

The complaint against the school board asserted that removing How the García Girls Lost Their Accents from the curriculum was discriminatory, urging the board not only to reverse the ban but also to reassess school district policies concerning students' rights to engage with complex issues.

Amidst rising book bans in Oregon, the Tillamook School Board's rejection of the complaint mirrors a national trend where literature representing diverse experiences faces censorship, particularly targeting narratives from LGBTQ and racial minority communities. The situation may escalate under the incoming administration's Project 2025.

Read at Oregon ArtsWatch * Oregon Arts & Culture News