Educators and defenders of literature have the Edmonton Public School Board to acknowledge for the Alberta government’s decision to revise its ministerial order prohibiting sexually explicit books in school libraries.
Following the board’s removal list of around 200 books, which included works by renowned authors like Maya Angelou and Margaret Atwood, and popular titles such as “Brave New World” and “Game of Thrones,” Premier Danielle Smith criticized the move as “vicious compliance.” She clarified that the province did not intend to ban such literature.
In response, Alberta’s education minister announced a temporary halt to the policy on book restrictions to align the bans more closely with the original intent of the government. Emphasizing the type of content to be restricted, Smith showcased pages from graphic novels during a live-streamed news conference, illustrating explicit acts like oral sex and fondling. She highlighted the need to remove sexually explicit material inappropriate for young students.
During a recent town hall event, Smith reiterated the aim to shield children from inappropriate content, stating that if adults would find certain scenes offensive, then children should not be exposed to them either. This approach garnered support from her United Conservative base, reflecting their desire for a stringent book ban policy.
The government’s focus has primarily been on visual depictions of sex rather than written content. Smith has singled out graphic pornographic images in school libraries as the target for removal. While the education minister’s order covers all forms of depictions in libraries, including written and illustrated content, it may undergo modifications to provide more clarity on the restrictions.
The controversy over banned books in Alberta has sparked debates on censorship and appropriate content in school libraries. While efforts are being made to refine the policy, concerns remain about potential self-censorship among educators and the impact on students’ access to diverse literature.
