Obama denounces "profoundly misguided" bans on sexually explicit and pro-LGBT books from public school libraries

By lauraharris // 2023-07-21

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Former President Barack Obama has written an open letter denouncing the so-called "profoundly misguided" efforts by conservative groups to ban sexually explicit books from public school libraries across the United States. In his letter addressed to American librarians, Obama wrote that some of the books being banned "shaped my life – and the lives of so many others," further claiming that they are only being banned because they are challenging "people who disagree with certain ideas or perspectives." Obama further claimed that it is not coincidental that these banned books often feature content from minorities and members of the LGBT community. The former president further praised librarians in the U.S. for battling "on the frontlines" of the "banned book war" and lent his support to the United Against Book Bans campaign organized by the American Library Association (ALA) attempting to prevent the book bans. Obama even made a special appearance in a TikTok video posted by the Kankakee Public Library in his native Illinois. The library is notable for its previous viral videos in support of the anti-book ban campaign. In the particular clip with Obama, staff members were seen reading books that have been subjected to bans or attempted bans by other states. At the end of the video, Obama himself appeared, reading a book and sipping from a library-branded mug. According to the ALA, last year witnessed a record 2,571 unique book titles targeted for censorship in U.S. public schools, representing a 38 percent increase from the previous year. Most of these targeted titles were authored by or centered around minorities and the LGBT community. While Obama acknowledged that there have been instances where books by conservative authors or containing "triggering" content have also faced attempts at removal, he stressed the importance of engaging with diverse perspectives rather than silencing them. He expressed his belief that stifling opposing viewpoints is contrary to the principles that have made the U.S. a great nation. (Related: Protecting children from LGBT indoctrination, transgender mutilation now considered by leftists to constitute "hate.") In his letter, Obama also highlighted the global implications of book bans in the United States. He warned that if a nation founded on freedom of expression allows certain voices and ideas to be silenced, it sets a precedent that other countries may follow, jeopardizing freedom of speech on a global scale.

Obama faces backlash for defending books

After endorsing books containing explicit sexual and LGBT content, Obama found himself at the center of a heated controversy. Critics, particularly from conservative circles, responded to Obama's statement, accusing him of disingenuously misrepresenting the nature of the challenged books. They asserted that the banned books contained pornographic depictions of explicit sexual acts – including same-sex acts – which they deemed inappropriate for school libraries. Conservative political commentator and Daily Wire host and columnist Matt Walsh directly questioned Obama's assertions by asking whether his life was shaped by books that featured explicit sexual and same-sexual acts. Similarly, conservative author and documentary filmmaker Dinesh D'Souza demanded further clarification, sarcastically inquiring if Obama's life was genuinely influenced by literature discussing sexual practices in such a manner. Social media was even flooded with screenshots of the controversial books, aiming to provide tangible evidence of their explicit content. This resulted in an intense debate, with supporters of Obama and his detractors sharing their opinions on free speech, censorship, and the appropriate material for public consumption, particularly in educational settings. The situation has highlighted the ongoing struggle between advocates of free expression and those concerned about age-appropriate content in educational institutions. The discussion also reflects the broader tensions between promoting diversity and inclusivity while balancing sensitivity to differing viewpoints. Head over to BarackObama.news for more stories about the former president. Watch Matt Walsh analyzing former President Barack Obama's claim that the banned books – which include sexually explicit and same-sexual acts – "shaped his life." This video is from the GalacticStorm channel on Brighteon.com.

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Obama faces backlash for defending books

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