Book Bans with Dave Eggers
3Digest
This podcast delves into the recent wave of book bans targeting schools and libraries across the US, focusing on the case of Dave Eggers' novel "The Circle" being banned in Rapid City, South Dakota. The discussion highlights the motivations behind these bans, including a conservative backlash against "woke" ideology in education and a desire to control the information that children have access to. The podcast explores the impact of these bans on teachers and students, with Dave Eggers, the author of "The Circle," sharing his perspective on the controversy. The conversation also examines the mechanics of book bans, including the role of organizations like Moms for Liberty and the use of websites like booklooks.org to create lists of objectionable books. The podcast further discusses the broader attack on public education, highlighting the shift from concerns about specific content to a full-scale assault on the institution itself, including the rise of voucher systems and the diversion of public funds to private schools. The conversation concludes with a call for respecting the pluralism of educational choices while defending the autonomy of public schools, emphasizing the importance of allowing teachers and parents to determine the direction of public education without undue interference.
Outlines
Book Bans and the Fight for Public Education
This chapter explores the recent surge in book bans across the US, focusing on the case of Dave Eggers' novel "The Circle" being banned in Rapid City, South Dakota. The discussion highlights the motivations behind these bans, the impact on teachers and students, and the broader implications for public education.
The Rise of Book Bans and Their Impact
This chapter delves deeper into the recent wave of book bans targeting schools and libraries across the country. The discussion focuses on the types of books being banned, the ideological motivations behind the bans, and the impact on students' access to information.
Dave Eggers on the Banning of "The Circle"
Dave Eggers, author of "The Circle," joins the podcast to discuss the banning of his book in Rapid City, South Dakota. He shares his initial reaction to the ban, the process of book challenges, and the impact on students and teachers.
The Mechanics of Book Bans
The conversation continues with a discussion about the mechanics of book bans, including the role of organizations like Moms for Liberty and the use of websites like booklooks.org to create lists of objectionable books.
The Aftermath of the Book Ban
The discussion returns to the Rapid City book ban, exploring the aftermath of the controversy, including the subsequent school board election and the restoration of a moderate majority.
The Attack on Public Education
The conversation expands to discuss the broader attack on public education, highlighting the shift from concerns about specific content to a full-scale assault on the institution itself. This includes the rise of voucher systems and the diversion of public funds to private schools.
Keywords
Moms for Liberty
Moms for Liberty is a conservative political advocacy group that has gained prominence for its efforts to ban books and influence school curricula. They advocate for parental rights and oppose what they perceive as "woke" ideology in education.
Booklooks.org
Booklooks.org is a website created by Moms for Liberty and its associates that lists and itemizes hundreds of books with allegedly objectionable scenes. The website provides summaries of the books and highlights specific passages deemed inappropriate.
The Circle
"The Circle" is a 2013 novel by Dave Eggers that explores the dangers of technology and surveillance in a dystopian future. The book follows a young woman who joins a powerful tech company and gradually becomes entangled in its manipulative and controlling practices.
Rapid City, South Dakota
Rapid City is a city in South Dakota that became the center of a national controversy over book bans when a school board voted to remove several books, including "The Circle," from school libraries. The controversy highlighted the growing trend of book bans across the country.
Public Education
Public education refers to the system of education funded by the government and available to all citizens. It is a cornerstone of American democracy and plays a crucial role in shaping the future of society.
Voucher System
A voucher system is a government-funded program that provides parents with financial assistance to send their children to private schools. Proponents argue that vouchers increase school choice and competition, while critics contend that they drain resources from public schools and exacerbate inequality.
Q&A
What are the main motivations behind the recent surge in book bans across the US?
The book bans are driven by a combination of factors, including a conservative backlash against what they perceive as "woke" ideology in education, a desire to control the information that children have access to, and a broader attack on public education.
How have book bans impacted teachers and students in Rapid City, South Dakota?
The book ban in Rapid City has created a tense atmosphere in schools, with teachers feeling pressured and students feeling restricted. The ban has also led to the loss of a highly respected teacher who felt unable to work in such an environment.
What are the broader implications of the book ban movement for public education?
The book ban movement is part of a larger trend of attacks on public education, including the rise of voucher systems and the diversion of public funds to private schools. These attacks threaten the future of public education and the ability of all students to access a quality education.
What can be done to combat the book ban movement and protect public education?
Combating the book ban movement requires a multi-pronged approach, including supporting teachers and educators, advocating for policies that protect academic freedom, and engaging in public discourse to challenge the underlying ideologies driving these bans.
Show Notes
We’ve seen a wave of campaigns in school districts and municipalities across the country to ban literary works over the past few years. One instance of this is the subject of MSNBC Films’ "To Be Destroyed," the latest installment of "The Turning Point" documentary series from Executive Producer Trevor Noah. The feature documentary explores a South Dakota community's fight against book banning after five books – including one by best-selling author Dave Eggers – were pulled from the shelves. Eggers joins WITHpod to discuss how he views his role as a writer in this era, the efforts to ban books, why and where they’re happening and the reactionary moment that we’re in.
Table of contents
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