(Editor’s note: The original version of this Letter exceeded OT’s guideline for length, which was provided to the author. We published a portion of the Letter on Friday, and the author requested the remainder be published as the second of three Letters allowed by an author per month, in accordance with our submission guidelines.)
The following is a characterization of a conversation between characters from a book found in the children’s (ages 3-12) section of DCPL. Owensboro Times has told me I cannot quote the book.
(Editor’s note: OT declined to include a passage from the book due to concerns about copyright laws. Additionally, in the paragraph below OT used the more general terms “private parts” and “sexual actions” rather than the specific word and actions written by the author, as has been our practice for such instances in news stories.)
It too is on our list to be rated but Ms. Brown doesn’t want you to know that. Two characters in conversation describe the [private parts] of another child as floppy and shriveled. They then speculate that it’s nothing like they’d imagined when guys are bragging about [sexual actions]. If you doubt me, it’s from “Fly on the Wall” by Remy Lai, its call number is 9781250314116, go check it out and see for yourself. This particular conversation can be found on page 88. So, I ask,is this something you want your 7- or 8-year-old stumbling upon? We believe parents, not the library, should decide what our children are exposed to and when. It has become crystal clear that the library, its current staff, and the board fall into one of three groups. Either they do not fully comprehend the damage to our youth their actions are causing, they simply do not care, or they know exactly what they’re doing. In our opinion, any of the three demands the attention of the authorities.
Ms. Brown would have you believe Daviess County Citizens for Decency objects to books about the “achievements of women and factual historical events like the enslavement of Black people.” In fact, there are plenty of books in that vein that we applaud and highly recommend when parents are ready. What we do object to are books that suggest to impressionable children that they should be ashamed of the color of their skin; or that they are somehow responsible for the actions of people who lived 175 years ago; or that it’s acceptable to destroy private property; or that police officers are bad; or that there are suddenly more than two sexes. We believe very real issues like racism and other forms of discrimination should be addressed by parents when PARENTS believe it is appropriate.
The question comes down to this: Who should raise your children? If you believe it’s your responsibility and right, We’re with you and it’s you we are fighting for. We would welcome your help. If you’re okay with pornography staying in the teen section of the library and sexually and socially grooming literature remaining unmarked in the children’s section, we will fight you until we have nothing left. Parents, the library has used your tax dollars to hire lawyers to find creative ways to prevent you from knowing the truth. They’ve denied Open Records requests that they’ve answered previously. It’s time for you to stand against the forces intent on taking your children’s innocence. If we won’t fight for our kids, who will we fight for?
Written by
Jerry Chapman
Chairman, Daviess County Citizens for Decency
