Texas Librarian Risks Getting Fired To Keep Her “Banned Books” Reading Section
Mia, a Texas librarian, posted a video on TikTok explaining her anger towards her Principal and an anonymous parent.
The video now has more than 1 million views, and it tackles an important topic.
Mia, The Librarian
Mia begins her video by asking TikTok to blow up her video “in case she gets fired.”
She’s blunt and straightforward with the problem she’s facing - the day before school started, her principal approached her with an issue.
The Parent Complaint
The principal told Mia to take down her “Banned Books Week” display in the library because a parent called and complained about it.
And he told her this as a warning so “she wouldn’t be blindsided.”
"I Serve 700 Students, Not Just 1"
Mia stood her ground and said,
“No. I’m not taking it down because I serve over 700 students, not one student alone. Celebrating Banned Books Week is in our ALA standards, and every secondary school library does it in our district.”
"Keep Things Academic"
But the principal pushed on and urged Mia to keep things “academic.”
She replied, “Would you like me to take down the other ten displays in my library that aren’t academic? Because I have one on superheroes, and there are no standards on that.”
The Principal Wants To Appease Parents
The cherry on top? The principal hadn’t even noticed the display and didn’t have a problem with it until the parent complained.
And so the principal was trying to appease parents due to past issues at the school.
Mia's A Hard Worker And Cares For The Kids
The principal asked again, “I can see you’re a hard worker and that you care for the kids, but I need you to do this.”
But Mia continued to stand her ground and refused to take the display down.
There's A Process If A Parent Has An Issue
For Mia, there’s a process in place if a parent has a complaint about a specific book.
They have to talk to Mia first because she’s the librarian and the most knowledgeable authority on the books in her library.
Banned Book Week Aids Students
Banned Book Week is to help students gain information, awareness, and knowledge on subjects that they might not have regular access to.
And if a student doesn’t want to read one of the books, that’s perfectly fine.
"I'm Not Upset, I'm Enraged"
Mia started crying, and the principal said, “you’re allowed to be upset and have your feelings.”
But Mia said, “I’m not upset; I’m enraged because people want to take away books that feature marginalized people.”
Mia's Follow Up Video
In a follow up video, Mia says she and the principal reached an impasse.
But the principal would contact the parent because Mia wouldn't take it down until due process is followed because it's censorship of materials.
Some Of The Banned/Challenged Books
There were many books featured in the Banned Book Week display, including books that were challenged.
Some of the banned or challenged books include Twilight, The Hunger Games, and Bridge To Terabithia.
Why Were These Books Challenged or Banned?
These books were challenged and banned because of multiple reasons.
Some "pushed" satanism or occultism, some had violence and profanity, some pushed LGBTQIA+ voices. And other books were challenged because they promoted anti-police sentiments and drug use.
TikTok's Unquestionable Support
Most, if not all, of the comments Mia received, were positive and supportive.
A principal commented, "I wish I could afford to hire you because this is what our children need," proving that Mia's effort did not go unnoticed.
