Book bans or educational freedom?

Hayesville A Murphy woman who wanted local public libraries to remove two books with transgender themes from the children’s section came away from a library board of trustees meeting on Aug. 17 outnumbered and unsuccessful.

Mary Mason objected to books about a transgender child named Jazz. She wrote a letter to the editor of the Cherokee Scout that was published on Aug. 16.

Mason said she previously requested that the books be moved without success. As a result, she urged concerned residents to attend the Nantahala Regional Library Board of Trustees’ quarterly meeting at Moss Memorial Library.

The regional library system includes public libraries in Andrews, Hayesville, Murphy and Hayesville.

The discussion was not on the trustees’ agenda and instead came during a public comment period in the meeting. Still, even without a formal agenda item, the issue brought out a standing-room-only crowd of more than 30 people.

Mason, two Cherokee County pastors and two others asked the trustees to move the books. The rest attended to oppose what many described as a “book ban,” although Mason requested that the books be moved from the children’s section, not banned.

Still, her letter stirred a response from library supporters fearful of a “slippery slope” that will not stop there.

Local resident Wendy Slayton said no book should be banned. Choices made by children should be based on their parents’ discretion.

“When people talk about banning books, I get a little nervous,” she said. “I think Hitler and Putin.”

Marilee Powell, a retired Clay County teacher, said parents have a right to make decisions affecting their children. However, they don’t have a right to make decisions affecting other parents’ children.

Libraries help produce compassionate, resilient, critical thinking children, she added.

Bill Bagwell said libraries are “temples to the First Amendment.”

“Availability is not coercion,” he said. “Banning books is.”

Mason said there is a spiritual war taking place, and transgenderism contradicts the Christian Bible that many say only recognizes two genders – male and female.

She contended that 20 percent of teenagers identify as transgender today. When she cited her source as Fox News, the room erupted in derisive laughter.

“This is nothing to laugh about – how dare you people,” she responded adding that these books have destroyed lives, and empowered abusive parents and doctors.

“One day you will stand before your Creator,” she said. “Will you stand and protect little children, or play a part in destroying their lives?”

Mason, who served as a registered nurse for more than 20 years, said a child who identifies as a gender different from birth needs psychiatric care, not gender reassignment.

“The last thing they need is to have their mental illness affirmed,” she said.

One person applauded.

The Rev. Jimmy Tanner of First Baptist Church of Murphy rose to speak in solidarity with Mason, saying children are already being surgically mutilated inside the womb through abortion, and now outside the womb with gender reassignment surgery.

Social worker Dixie Carter of Murphy said transgender children “are not the devil,” yet often are bullied at school and at home.

“Transgender people have been around for years,” she said. “This younger generation – they don’t want to hide.”

The trustees – with members from Cherokee, Clay and Graham counties – took no action on the discussion. Regional Library Director Franklin Shook defended the mission of libraries and how the Nantahala Regional Library is carrying out that mission.

Library policy requires parental discretion be used with the younger children.

“All public libraries stand for freedom to read – we trust you,” Shook said.

He said the library system has reviewed the two titles and determined that they will remain in the collection.

“We should not be afraid of books that challenge us,” Shook said. “We need your support now more than ever.”

His comments were met with a long, loud applause.

Children ages 12 and under must be accompanied by their parents. Children ages 13 through 17 are given more autonomy. Shook said children’s library cards are linked to their parents’ cards.