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Home , Apropos of Nothing, Letty Aronson, Ronan Farrow

NEWS CENSORSHIP DATELINE

MUSEUMS immigration, climate change, public PUBLISHERS Santa Fe, New Mexico health, and economic disparities. This , New York During a 2019 environmentally very exhibition would never have On March 6, 2020, a day after focused exhibition at the New Mex- taken flight. ’s (HBG) ico Museum of Art (MOA), a poetry Evidently, the apprehension was employees protested the publisher’s zine, which focused on the impact not because the work reflected a par- deal with filmmaker , of fracking, was removed upon the ticular political position, but rather, the plans to publish his autobiogra- recommendation of the New Mex- it was the nature of that position. As phy were cancelled. All rights were ico Department of Cultural Affairs the NCAC report stated, “The zine returned to Allen. (DCA) because it contained politi- is a condemnation of the devastating “The decision to cancel Mr. Allen’s cal commentary. The Arts Advocacy impact of the fossil fuel industry, and book was a difficult one,” a spokes- Program at the National Coalition specifically fracking, on communities, person for the publisher said in a state- Against Censorship (NCAC) urged ecological systems, and the climate ment. “We take our relationships with the MAO to take the incident as an within New Mexico. In a state highly authors very seriously, and do not can- opportunity to better develop artistic dependent on the fossil fuel industry, cel books lightly. We have published freedom upholding policies. this is a controversial position. But and will continue to publish many The zine, titled The Social & Sub- a publicly funded institution cannot challenging books. As publishers, we lime: Land, Place, and Art, focused on discriminate against specific political make sure every day in our work that “issues of land use, expansion and positions, no matter how unpopular: different voices and conflicting points border conflicts, and industrializa- such discrimination would violate the of views can be heard.” tion and the conservation of natu- First Amendment.” The spokesperson added, however, ral resources.” While these are cer- Though the zine was later included that after discussing the matter with tainly political issues as stated in as a resource in the museum, that their employees, Hachette executives the exhibition description, they are does not change that the removal said that they “came to the conclusion explored through lenses “ranging took place, and “does not provide that moving forward with publication from the purely formal to the politi- any clarity as to [the] MOA’s exhibi- would not be feasible for HBG.” cally engaged.” As the NCAC stated, tion policy.” Therefore, the NCAC , Allen’s sister and “A zine dedicated to poetry about the urged the MOA, in collaboration with producer, declined to comment. impact of fracking on the local com- the DCA, “to adopt a formal policy Hachette announced the book munity neatly fits within the parame- affirming artistic freedom, includ- deal on March 2, 2020, stating that ters of the show. Indeed, many other ing the right of artists to voice polit- its Grand Central Publishing imprint works in the show also took political ical opinions without fear of being would release Allen’s autobiography positions, as art often does.” silenced. The museum should also on April 7, 2020. It The DCA maintained that distrib- make it clear that exhibiting political described the book as “a comprehen- uting the zine “would be considered artwork does not mean that the insti- sive account of his life, both personal using state property to support [a] tution itself endorses specific political and professional,” and said it would political cause.” The DCA mistak- positions. This is the only way [the] include Allen’s writing on “his rela- enly referred to a governmental con- MOA can remain a site of encoun- tionships with family, friends, and the duct act prohibiting “a public officer ter with new and radical ideas, a site loves of his life.” or employee from . . . using property where social and political dialogue In an early March 2020 email belonging to a state agency or allow- happens, not become a place of pure exchange, journalist , ing its use for other than authorized entertainment governed by political whose book Catch and Kill was pub- purposes.” Contrary to what DCA censorship.” lished by another Hachette imprint, asserts, exhibiting art with a political The NCAC offered to assist the criticized HBG, calling its decision position does not constitute support of MOA with the development of a new to publish Allen’s book a betrayal. that position by the museum. Other- policy. “Your policy of editorial independence wise, no cultural institutions open to Reported by: National Coalition among your imprints does not relieve the public could provide space for any Against Censorship, March 17, 2020. you of your moral and professional work that explores relevant political obligations as the publisher of Catch topics, including discussions of war, and Kill, and as the leader of a company

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being asked to assist in efforts by abu- The French arm of Hachette, Édi- guide for children ages eight to ten as sive men to whitewash their crimes,” tions Stock, said it planned to proceed well as their parents and caregivers. It wrote Farrow in an email to HBG with publishing Allen’s book. The explores changing bodies, gender, and Chief Executive Michael Pietsch. imprint’s director, Manuel Carcas- sexuality. Farrow, who helped propel the sonne, expressed his support for the “There are illustrations, for #MeToo movement by reporting on project in an interview with the mag- instance of a penis and a vagina, accusations of sexual assault against azine Le Point published on March 7. which are anatomically correct . . . and other pow- “The American situation is not but there are also discussions about erful men, is Allen’s son with actress ours,” Carcassonne said. “Woody negative, private touching, which is . Ronan Farrow and his Allen is a great artist, director and a very important lesson these kids adopted sister, Dylan Farrow, have writer, and his New York Jewish should learn,” Gazda said. long accused Allen of molesting her humor is evident in each line of this Sex is a Funny Word is the third when she was a child, allegations memoir, in its self-mockery, its mod- title this academic year to raise the he has denied. Two investigations esty, its ability to dress up tragedy as ire of parents, he added. The first was ensued; Allen was not charged. comedy. Including at his expense. It’s A Court of Wings and Ruin, the third In an interview on March 3, 2020, unfortunate that this decision was in a fantasy series by Sarah J. Maas; Pietsch defended the decision to pub- made—unfortunate for freedom of the second title was the graphic novel lish Allen’s book, saying that the com- expression but perfectly understand- Sacred Heart by Liz Suburbia, which pany’s imprints do not engage in edi- able in the American context.” came in with a large batch of donated torial interference with each other. Note: Apropos of Nothing was books to the library. “Grand Central Publishing believes released by Arcade Publishing on “The librarian can’t read every strongly that there’s a large audience March 23, 2020. single book in the library,” Gazda that wants to hear the story of Woody Reported in: New York Times, March said. “They rely on reviews and Allen’s life as told by Woody Allen 6, 2020, updated March 9, 2020. recommendations.” himself,” he said. “That’s what they’ve When the first two books were chosen to publish.” SCHOOLS flagged by parents, the school prin- On March 5, 2020, Hachette Ludlow, Massachusetts cipal and librarian readily agreed employees staged a walkout to pro- Sex may be a funny word according they didn’t belong in a middle school test their company’s plans, resulting to award-winning children’s author library. That, Gazda said, is the first in HBG having “a fuller discussion” and sex educator Cory Silverberg, step in an established process the with its staff members. but some parents of students at Baird school district has in place to vet Following the announcement of Middle School in Ludlow, Massachu- the appropriateness of library books: the book’s cancellation on March 6, setts, were not amused. first, contact the school principal and Suzanne Nossel, the chief executive of Silverberg’s Sex is a Funny Word librarian; second, if those two don’t the free-speech nonprofit PEN Amer- (2015) has won awards in the US and feel comfortable making unilateral ica, called the situation “something of Canada and received starred reviews decisions to remove the book, par- a perfect storm.” from Publishers Weekly and the School ents are asked to fill out a short form This incident, she said in a state- Library Journal, as well as praise from and submit it to a subcommittee com- ment, “involved not just a contro- Kirkus Reviews. It also landed on the prised of two Ludlow School Com- versial book, but a publisher that was American Library Association’s Top mittee members, two teachers, and a working with individuals on both 10 Most Challenged Books lists for librarian. sides of a longstanding and trau- 2017 and 2019—and now, according “Everyone reads the book and matic familial rupture. This presented to Superintendent Todd H. Gazda, is they decide whether the book should unique circumstances that clearly at the center of an ongoing contro- stay on the shelves,” said longtime colored the positions staked out and versy in the Ludlow Public School Ludlow School Committee mem- decisions taken. If the end result here District over what books should ber James “Chip” Harrington, who is that this book, regardless of its mer- remain on the shelves at the Baird is not a member of that subcommit- its, disappears without a trace, readers Middle School. tee. “Everyone has a different defini- will be denied the opportunity to read Sex is a Funny Word is a comic- tion of what inappropriate or obscene it and render their own judgments.” style book designed as an educational is . . . so I think our message as a body

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has been ‘We hear you. We get it. those occurring now, inflame emo- shouldn’t have to know there’s a dif- Please just follow the policy.’” tions and are counterproductive to ference. That’s health class in high Some parents who spoke about working together,” the statement read. school, maybe earlier in junior high. library book concerns at a Febru- Gazda also laments that the most But definitely not kindergarten.” ary 25 Ludlow School Committee vocal parents have refused to follow Pollnow told the Columbus Journal meeting said they believe the district the district’s process to bring scrutiny that he read the book and said, “The should be more proactive about pull- to library books they feel are unsuit- entire book is about cross-dressing in ing what they perceive as unsuitable able for certain age groups. young males. My objection to this is reading material. “This has been going on for weeks not about homosexuality but on the “Why is this being put on us, as and I haven’t received one form,” he appropriateness of the subject matter, parents, to find all these books that said. “I can’t just walk into a building particularly for children under eight we believe are inappropriate for our and start pulling books off the shelves years of age. Young children have an children? When . . . we had nothing myself.” innocence they cannot regain when to do with these books being brought Reported in: MassLive Media, exposed to such material. This book into the school,” one mother told the February 28, 2020. not only encourages cross-dressing, panel during the meeting, according it undermines the authority of par- to a public access channel broadcast. Columbus, Wisconsin ents by making the neighbor the hero “You guys should be doing some- 10,000 Dresses (2008), written by when parents objected. I want to thing to be proactive. Go through the Marcus Ewert and illustrated by Rex thank you for considering my sugges- library. See what’s in there.” Ray, about a girl who tion; remember being politically cor- “Our kids are being poisoned with loves dresses, will likely remain on rect is not always right.” this stuff in the meantime,” one father library shelves in the Columbus (WI) At the first meeting on Febru- said. Elementary School library, after a rul- ary 21, 2020, which was not open to Another father said, “None of these ing by a district committee. the public, Director of Curriculum books here are gonna get kids into the 10,000 Dresses, which has been in and Instruction Becky Schmidt pro- Ivy Leagues, I can tell you that.” the school library’s collection since vided to each committee member a A middle school staffer flagged Sex March 2016, gained attention after copy of the book, the district’s poli- is a Funny Word for review, Gazda Nathan Pollnow’s six-year-old daugh- cies on library instructional materials, said. The book survived the subcom- ter brought the book home from and a packet from the Cooperative mittee’s vetting and remains on the school. Pollnow filed a complaint Children’s Book Center in Madison, shelves at Baird Middle School. with the district on January 20, 2020, reviewing the book’s contents. A description by the American saying the book is inappropriate for a “We want to make sure that when Library Association’s Office for Intel- kindergartener. we’re putting a committee together, lectual Freedom stated, “This 2015 On February 28, 2020, a school that we’re doing it appropriately and a informational children’s book written district committee voted unani- good job of putting the team together, by a certified sex educator was chal- mously to keep 10,000 Dresses in the the committee together. And that lenged because it addresses sex edu- school district. That recommendation we’re going to do a good job by cation and is believed to lead children now moves on to the school district’s responding to the parents’ concern,” to ‘want to have sex or ask questions superintendent. said Annette Deuman, superintendent about sex.’” “Not against , man. of the Columbus School District. Gazda added that he believes the It’s your thing, do whatever you want. That committee had until February controversy is being stoked by social But I think it’s a time and a place and 28 to review the book, district poli- media. In some cases, he said the dia- parents need to make that argument, cies, and the Cooperative Children’s logue has devolved to include per- or [have] that discussion,” Pollnow Book Center reviews. sonal attacks on school personnel. He told NBC15 News. “They don’t need Community members were invited and officials from the teachers’ union the school district unpacking things to attend the February 28 meeting. addressed the issue in a statement to for them.” Dozens came forward in support of parents and guardians in February. “You are either a boy or you are a the book. “Gossip, hearsay, untrue state- girl. That is the way you are born,” he “I have a fundamental dislike of ments, and personal attacks, such as said. “Until you are of age, you really banning books, period. And I also

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have a fundamental value that kids Pollnow disagrees with the com- 500-item catalog of literature up for have to learn from an early age on core mittee’s ruling. review. values, so that they stay with them for “I believe they didn’t even listen “It’s awful. It’s awful what the pro- their whole life,” said Tessie Sharrow to me today. That’s really what I feel. tagonist goes through, yet import- of Columbus. “And this is not about I watched them. I believe four out of ant to talk about,” said Lucy Leyva, a anything other than a child that has a the six that were there already had teacher at Colton High School. different idea of how to dress.” speeches written. They knew they Teachers like Leyva are not talking Nikole Neidlinger, a mother of a were going to give opinions. They about the book anymore, after a six-year-old child in Monona, had a didn’t give credence to anything I handful of parents at another school in different reaction to the book’s pres- said,” he told NBC15 News after the the district complained. ence in school libraries. Neidlinger meeting on February 28. “I’m upset and hurt that they can- contacted the Columbus Journal via The committee has 30 business not trust what we as teachers know is email after reading the online version days to submit a formal recommenda- best for our students,” Leyva said. of this story. tion to Superintendent Deuman. “I’ll The school district says parents are “My six-year-old son breathes eas- make the determination based on the notified whenever there is a contro- ier by reading books such as this one, committee, and how they have gone versial book, and parents are given the and by knowing there are ‘kids like through,” said Deuman. “So I’ll take choice of opting out. Still, some par- him’ surviving and thriving,” Nei- the process. My personal opinion has to ents complained. The school board dlinger said. “Your story is so import- stay out, just like the committee really then voted 4-2 to stop teachers from ant, but only illustrated one side of the looked at their personal opinions. They teaching the book. ‘debate.’” reviewed it based on the criteria.” “A lot of these problems with rac- Neidlinger recently moved to the Reported in: Columbus Journal, ism and what have you are in there, Madison area from San Francisco. She February 24, 2020, updated Febru- and they still follow us to this very was initially worried about coming ary 26, 2020; NBC15 News ( WMTV, day, so to have that taken away from to Wisconsin, fearing communities Madison), February 28, 2020. us, it’s like we’re trying to pretend the might not be as accepting of her child. problem doesn’t exist when it really “If we don’t talk about these Colton, California does,” said student Isaiah Enriquez. important issues, things will never A book published fifty years ago by a “We need to have this opportunity as change,” Neidlinger said. “My then Pulitzer- and Nobel Prize-winning students, as educators to sit down and five-year-old son came to me so sure author is stirring up controversy at understand this is how life is.” about his gender identity, that I con- Colton High School, where teachers “There are dozens of books on the cluded this level of commitment made were banned from discussing the book list that deal with controversial issues,” it literally impossible for it to have with their students. Toni Morrison’s said Dan Flores, a Colton school board been culturally/family or ‘reading the The Bluest Eye (1970) was banned member who opposed the removal. wrong books’ induced. It was consis- from Colton (CA) Joint Unified “Yet, the only one being removed is tent, insistent, and persistent. He was School District’s core and extended by Toni Morrison, one of the most five then, and had no idea about the reading list for AP English Literature prominent Black female authors of cultural ramifications of being ‘gen- classes due to sexually explicit con- recent time. Her literature speaks to der expansive’ in today’s world. As a tent, but later reinstated. The Bluest the African American experience in parent all we want is for the world to Eye is about an African American girl America and I could not personally be kind to our babies. Hearing these growing up during the Great Depres- support removing one of her books parents that think my baby’s a freak sion. In the book, the girl is raped by from our reading list altogether.” breaks my adult heart. Please con- her drunk father. Reported in: The Mercury News sider that these are small children. We The Bluest Eye, which previously (San Jose, California), February 12, all want the same things for our kids. had been on the district’s approved 2020; Eyewitness News (ABC 7, Los We’re all much more alike than we reading list, was the only book Angeles, California), February 20, are different.” removed from the district’s nearly 2020.

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