Pink teamed up with Pen America – a free speech advocacy group – to give away 2,000 banned books at their concerts in South Florida.
The So What singer has thrown her hat into the ring when it comes to the controversy surrounding the removal of certain books from libraries and classrooms in Florida.
According to the BBC, literature containing references to sexuality, gender identity and race will be removed from classrooms across the country.
Florida authorities claim they are not banning books, but rather blocking inappropriate and harmful material.
In a video with Pen America, the singer called the move “confusing,” “annoying” and “censorship.”
Bookworms: The star described the alleged book ban as “confusing”, “irritating” and “censorship”, adding that she couldn’t imagine anyone without children deciding what her young, voracious readers could see (Image: Pink and their children Willow and Jameson). in 2017)
Passionate: The So What singer has teamed up with Pen America to distribute 2,000 copies of banned literature at her South Florida concerts tonight and tomorrow
“I am a voracious reader and mother of two children who are also voracious readers,” the rock star revealed.
“And I can’t imagine my own parents telling me what my kids can and can’t read, let alone other people’s parents.
“It doesn’t matter that someone else who doesn’t even have children decides what my children can read.”
PEN America claims that Florida has banned more books than any other state in the US, accounting for 40% of documented banned works.
In a joint statement with Pen America, the starlet wrote: “Books have brought me special joy since I was a child, which is why I am not prepared to watch books be banned from schools.”
“It is particularly abhorrent to see authorities targeting books about race and racism, as well as LGBTQ authors and people of color.
She continued, “We’ve made so much progress toward equality in this country, and nobody wants to see that progress reversed.”
Attendees of the musician’s Trustfall tour in Miami and Sunrise, Florida, will receive books published in Pen America’s Index of Banned Books.
‘It’s hateful’: Pink not happy with restrictions on literature – she believes authorities are targeting LGBTQ authors and people of color
Full discussion: The Florida Department of Education insisted it was “not banning books,” but Gov. Ron DeSantis called the claim a “hoax.” DeSantis said Florida students should receive an education that is “free from sexualization and harmful, age-inappropriate material.”
Tomorrow and Wednesday, Pink concertgoers will receive copies of “The Hill We Climb” by Amanda Gorman, “Beloved” by Toni Morrison, “The Family Book” by Todd Parr and “Girls Who Code” by Reshma Saujani.
According to Pen America, the number of books in the United States has increased by a third, with nearly half of Florida’s school districts removing books.
Although the Florida Department of Education insists it is “not banning books,” Governor Ron DeSantis called the claim a “hoax.”
In a written statement earlier this year, he said, “Florida is the education state and that means we must provide students with a high-quality education, free of sexualization and harmful, age-inappropriate material.”
“It is important to expose the ‘book ban’ hoax because it shows that some are trying to use our schools for indoctrination.”
He added, “In Florida, pornographic and inappropriate material that has crept into our classrooms and libraries to sexualize our students violates our state education standards.”
Florida Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. shared the following in March X – formerly known as Twitter.
“Students should spend their time in school learning core academic subjects, not be forced to repress radical gender and sexual ideology.”
According to the BBC, educational districts have used a Florida state law some call the “Don’t Say Gay” law to ban the teaching of gender identity and sexual orientation.
Law and Order: Numerous statutes recently introduced in the state have led to the banning of numerous titles, the BBC reports
In 2022, another law was introduced requiring school books to be pornography-free and age-appropriate.
The law also required that literature be “adapted to the needs of the student” and approved by a trained person at the university Department of Education.
The law gives parents more power to request the removal of literature.
In 2022, an additional law was passed, subject to “Extreme Left Awakens Agendas” from “Tak[ing] about our schools and workplaces,” mr. DeSantis said about teaching about race.
Source link
Ashley Root is an author and celebrity journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a keen eye for all things celebrity, Ashley is always up-to-date on the latest gossip and trends in the world of entertainment.
