Idaho Student Protests Book Ban by Handing Superintendent 'The Handmaid's Tale'

On May 23, 2024, Annabelle Jenkins, a student at Idaho Fine Arts Academy, staged a protest against her school's book ban during her graduation ceremony. Jenkins handed West Ada Superintendent Derek Bub a copy of the graphic novel adaptation of 'The Handmaid's Tale,' one of the 10 books removed from school shelves in December 2023.

Why this matters: The controversy over book bans and censorship in schools has broader implications for access to information and the role of students in shaping educational policies. If left unchecked, such bans could lead to a significant limitation of access to literature and ideas, potentially stifling critical thinking and intellectual freedom.

The West Ada School District's decision to remove these books, including 'The Handmaid's Tale,' 'A Stolen Life' by Jaycee Dugard, and 'Water for Elephants' by Sarah Gruen, was based on ratings from BookLooks.org, a website created by 'concerned parents' in Brevard County, Florida. The review committee included the district's library coordinator, chief academic officer, curriculum director, two secondary principals, and one secondary English teacher. Librarians were invited to participate but declined.

Jenkins' protest was captured on a TikTok video that has since received millions of views. In the video, Jenkins can be seen walking across the stage, shaking hands with officials, and then pulling out the book when she approaches Superintendent Bub. Bub refused to take the book, crossing his arms and eventually forcing Jenkins to place it at his feet.

Jenkins explained her motivation for the protest, stating, 'I don't like to be the center of attention or do things just to like get a reaction. So when I do things, I want it to be very purposeful. I want people to know that this is something deeply, deeply important to me.' Jenkins expressed frustration over the book ban and the lack of student input in the decision-making process.

In response to the incident, the West Ada School District released a statement saying that Jenkins' gesture 'unfortunately overshadowed the celebratory occasion.' The district defended its decision to remove the books, citing the ratings from BookLooks.org.

The controversy over book bans is not limited to the West Ada School District. In April 2024, Republican Gov. Brad Little signed a bill requiring school and public libraries to move material deemed 'harmful to minors' to an adults-only section or face lawsuits. The Idaho Library Association has criticized the law, warning that it uses vague and subjective definitions of what constitutes material that is harmful to minors and could result in significantly limited access to information for the public.

The new law uses Idaho's current definition of 'obscene materials,' which includes any act of homosexuality. Gov. Little expressed disappointment that lawmakers didn't do more to protect children from 'the harms of social media.'

Annabelle Jenkins' protest highlights the ongoing debate over book bans and censorship in schools. Her action highlights the importance of access to literature and the role of students in shaping educational policies.

Key Takeaways

• Annabelle Jenkins protested her school's book ban by handing the superintendent a copy of "The Handmaid's Tale" at her graduation.
• The West Ada School District removed 10 books, including "The Handmaid's Tale", from school shelves based on ratings from BookLooks.org.
• Jenkins' protest was sparked by the lack of student input in the decision-making process and the importance of access to literature.
• Idaho's new law requires school and public libraries to move "harmful to minors" material to an adults-only section or face lawsuits.
• The law uses a vague definition of "harmful to minors" and could limit access to information for the public.