Toni Morrison’s unflinching narrative of child abuse, a story of six transgender teens, and a Nobel Prize winner’s autobiographical account of surviving the Holocaust: a Philadelphia school board president chose to be sworn in on these often-banned books instead of the Bible.
Central Bucks president Karen Smith’s oath went viral Tuesday as tens of thousands of people celebrated her stance against local GOP board members who tried to ban “sexualized content,” the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
“The Bible doesn’t hold significant meaning for me,” Smith told the news outlet. “The banned books, they do mean something to me.”
Smith claimed her presidency over a Democratic-led board Monday after a two-year stint of GOP leadership saw it pass a prohibition that blocked two books and might have banned 60 more, the Inquirer reports.
The board also banned staff from advocating “partisan, political or social policy issues” to students, a policy Smith opposed, the report notes.
That’s why books “Night,” the autobiographical biography by Elie Wiesel, was on the top of the pile, Smith reportedly said.
“I swore never to be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation,” Smith told the Inquirer. “Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.”
Underneath, there were “The Bluest Eye” by Toni Morrison, “Lily and Dunkin,” by Donna Gephart, “All Boys Aren’t Blue,” by George M. Johnson, “Flamer” by Mike Curato, “Beyond Magenta” by Susan Kuklin.
Smith chose each book not just for the courage of the authors, but for the value she said it would provide children figuring out their own identities, she reportedly said.
Of Morrison’s novel, which details child sex abuse, Smith said, “Survivors who said it was very important that young people who may have suffered sexual abuse have some way to learn about it, and they’re not alone. Their feelings are valid.”
A former GOPer who crossed the aisle because she feels “the Republican Party has lost its way,” Smith was celebrated on social media for a gesture readers also believed to be courageous.
“Powerful, effective leaders don’t need to rant, rave, belittle, or scapegoat,” wrote Ed. G. “This is a master class in demonstrating power and empathy in one simple gesture.”
“Karen Smith is one of the bravest people I have ever known,” added Tracy Suits.
“I have often observed and wondered if I would have the courage she has when faced with the same situations. I hope so.”
