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Teacher in favor of book bans faces allegations of homophobic and racist remarks from past students [1]

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Date: 2023-02-22  

Republicans are going after books just in time for the 2024 presidential election, because of course they are. Conservatives are trying to see what issue gets their constituents the most riled up and have (unfortunately) seen some considerable movement with their anti-trans and anti-queer bills across the country. As Daily Kos continues to cover, we’re seeing anti-trans sports bills and health care bills be signed into law (or come dangerously close) and some families are already trying to relocate so their trans and nonbinary youth can have the best possible quality of life and resources. But not everyone can afford or access that kind of change, and frankly, no one should have to.

Book ban efforts are absolutely hand in hand with other anti-queer legislations, even if they appear a little different on the surface. Conservatives have been decrying books by and about LGBTQ+ folks and people of color with a fresh gusto, including via groups like Moms for Liberty and local school councils and elections. Some governors, like Republican Ron DeSantis of Florida, have made it extremely clear they’re happy to get these allegedly “inappropriate” and “obscene” books out of public school classrooms and libraries, but the reality is there’s nothing inappropriate or innately sexual about simply being queer.

Speaking of Florida, we have a fresh insight into how book bans are going in what DeSantis is trying to turn into a state of hate. As reported by LGBTQ Nation, Vickie Bagget—a high school English teacher who has taught for several decades—has submitted 148 out of 150 book challenges being reviewed by the school district this year alone. And former students are alleging Bagget has made racist and anti-queer statements in the past, even prior to book ban discourse taking hold of the nation.

RELATED: Florida substitute fired after video of empty bookshelves goes viral—and gets Republican attention

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[1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2023/2/22/2154383/-Teacher-in-favor-of-book-bans-faces-allegations-of-homophobic-and-racist-remarks-from-past-students

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