ENDORSEMENT: Vote for Bauman

We hear so many arguments about schools and libraries today — some people seem to argue that these influential institutions are systematically abusing our children. It’s hard to believe. But if you dig into the academic literature, into what the experts are saying — they agree with this accusation.

“[…] educators have a responsibility not only to draw students into a possible crisis, but also to structure experiences that can help them work through their crises productively.” — Kevin Kumashiro, Ph.D. 

The books and articles written by “experts” are full of such arguments for undermining children in their developmental years. Traumatizing children is a powerful tool in molding them. These academic arguments trickle down into the training received by teachers and librarians; they impact the recommended book lists, and we end up with “expert” knowledge declaring that it is good for children to be exposed to graphic sex, violence, and drug use at an early age. It’s possible that teachers and librarians pushing these books on children truly believe they are fighting for the good. They’ve been taught their whole professional careers that this is good.  

It’s time we choose common sense and parents’ rights over the academic arrogance of the “experts.” Michelle Lippert likes to remind us that she is an expert with a history of academic training — the implication being that she knows better than we do what should be in our library. Victoria Bauman, with the commonsense love of a mother, argues that it is wrong to harm children by filling the children’s section with books designed to traumatize them.

This May, choose healthy common sense over toxic expertise — vote Victoria Bauman for library board.

ANNE GOFF

Post Falls