Corpus Christi congregation expresses concerns about book censorship

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Dozens of people filled the Corpus Christi Library Subcommittee meeting Tuesday as the issue of book censorship gripped the room.

During the public hearing, many community members expressed concerns about the potential banning of certain books, while others supported the need for the subcommittee.

“I would like to see myself reflected in books and stories, and I want to make sure young people can see themselves reflected in books,” said Robert Kymes, deputy director of the Coastal Bend Pride Center.

Others said they believe parents should decide what their children see, not the children themselves.

The city’s library council set up the subcommittee almost a month ago to advise on the development of the library’s collection.

There is growing discussion throughout Texas about banning certain books from public libraries and reducing the need for librarians.

However, many community members in Corpus Christi believe that without a diverse range of library offerings, people, especially children, do not learn about certain cultures, different groups and religions or do not feel adequately represented.

“We need materials that our minority children, youth and adults will read and feel represented in,” said one community member during the meeting. “We need to make sure that the offerings available on our shelves cover the broad spectrum of all our citizens.”

Some people on social media expressed particular concerns about banning books about the LGBTQIA community, minority history, diversity, equality or inclusion.

They mainly referred to pioneers such as Dr. Hector P. Garcia, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Sylvia Rivera and others.

“I am part of the LGBTQIA community and I believe that the availability of books in libraries will change a child who comes into contact with them, even though I don’t really know what it’s like to be an LGBTIA person or a minority,” said Tom Tagliabue, who opposes the book ban.

Teenagers were present who emphasized the need to preserve books that promote representation.

“There are so many self-help books that I’ve borrowed from the library just to help me navigate my emotions, like I said in the meeting,” said teenager Kat Dutton. As a transgender teenager, I want the library to remain a safe place.”

Some even say the panel’s subcommittee should be abolished altogether. Others say the content in libraries needs to be monitored, especially when certain literature is overly sexualized.

“We need to protect the kids,” said Carol Nash, a sponsor on the Corpus Christi Library Board subcommittee. “Let the kids be kids. But do we really need to include sex in everything, because that’s basically what it’s about. They want to have books that are more like them (the LGBTQIA community), but what about the kids who are confused and need something to help them look at the other side, to see if that’s really what they want. It seems like they only want one side.”

Ultimately, the Corpus Christi Library Board subcommittee was unable to make any progress in its decision-making process.

Another meeting will take place in August.

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