Kids vs. Hate: Who Will Win?

"Teach 'em young," they say.
"They learn from the people around them," they say.
Well what good is that when it is only applicable to something that someone believes is right.

MAKE UP YOUR MIND!

According to The Cap Times, the Florida-based Liberty Counsel threatened to sue a Wisconsin elementary school over their plan to include a new book in their curriculum. The book in question is "I Am Jazz," a book about a transgender student, which was written by a delightful (and also trans) sensation Jazz Jennings.

This school was planning to read the book in support of a transgender student and sent a note home to parents telling them as such.

The note read:

"We believe all students deserve respect and support regardless of their gender identity and expression, and the best way to foster that respect and support is through educating students about the issue of being transgender. It is our primary responsibility to provide a safe and nurturing environment for all of our students. Please let us know if you have concerns about your child participating in this discussion; we respect the beliefs and convictions of all families."

Now if you asked me, that was a decent note home to families that was kind and respectful. But the Liberty Counsel, which is classified as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center, says they were contacted by "concerned parents" and so they had to get involved. Upon threatening to sue, the school cancelled the reading.

The school issued a press release saying it had "chosen not to proceed as originally planned and allow the Board of Education the opportunity to review the needs of all involved, and address a situation for which the District has no current policy."

Brian Juchems, senior director of education and policy at the Gay Straight Alliance for Safe Schools, said public K-12 schools have a responsibility to support all students. "Parents and their children don't have to believe differently or agree with what is being taught. You can still have your personal beliefs but in the schools, we expect people to be respectful of each other and this is one of the ways we have that conversation."

Well, I don't know about you guys, but I know I need to get my hands on this book pronto.

xoxo, Kaila