Tennessee House passes bill to let state commission approve school library books
NBCDec 23, 2021
Tenn. House Passes Bill Letting State Commission Approve School Library Books
Image copyright: AP [via NBC News]
The Facts
The Tennessee state textbook commission could gain the power to veto school library books after a bill was passed by state legislators on Wednesday.
Due to a last-minute amendment, the bill would allow the commission to approve or reject materials currently in public school libraries, based on whether or not they deem the content appropriate.
The Spin
Left narrative
This is hypocritical. Although the right pretend they're the champions of free speech, conservatives are now the ones restricting materials they deem offensive, with some in the GOP even endorsing book burning for the sake of protecting a political agenda.
Right narrative
Regulating what's covered on the school curriculum is about free speech and parents' rights to free choice. It's perfectly reasonable for parents to want their children to be taught sensitive topics in a fair and balanced way, and so far they've been met with a lack of transparency, and even deliberate obstruction.