Oregon bill seeks to halt bias-fueled book bans

Detractors of the bill say parents and school boards should have a say in what material is deemed appropriate

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Many Oregonians are now divided over who has the say when it comes to what books are allowed in school libraries and classrooms. New legislation introduced this session aims to prevent so-called “book bans,” but not all are in support of it.

Just some of the arguments made during Tuesday’s committee hearing included: “stop messing with our kids,” “this is an important First Amendment and democracy issue,” “you’re chipping away at school board rights,” and “every student sees themselves in the curriculum.”

The education-focused bill is getting plenty of attention from both sides this legislative session.

“I’m basically trying to help Oregon avoid some of the nonsense that’s taking place in other parts of the country,” Sen. Lew Frederick, who represents north and northeast Portland, said.

Senate Bill 1583, introduced by the Oregon state senator, is aimed at preventing school boards or district officials from banning textbooks, instructional materials, or library books in moves that may be seen as discriminatory toward protected groups like people of color, LGBTQ+, religions, and others.

Sen. Frederick tells KOIN 6 he wanted to push protections forward after seeing efforts to remove or limit books in Oregon communities like Canby and Dayton.

“We have some folks in Oregon that are basically wanting to tell everyone else what everyone else’s kids can read and that’s not okay,” Frederick said.

Hundreds signed up for public testimony during Tuesday’s hearing. Some say they’re fully behind the bill and what it stands for.

“It’s essential that children see themselves in the stories that they read, but they should also read about people who are not like them,” Darin Stewart, president of Parents Defending Schools and Libraries, said. “People who live differently, who look differently, people who think differently.”

However, some spoke against the bill, urging the state to keep decisions surrounding materials in the hands of elected school boards — which Frederick says is a power that remains — this is just aimed at preventing discriminatory removals.

“Why would Oregon legislators want to further render school boards obsolete and strip them of important decisions,” Oregon City resident Angela Pederson said. “This bill conveys distrust and disrespect for parental and community involvement.”

Others say their issues are with what content may be allowed in books.

“What I have a problem with is putting sexually inappropriate materials in front of my children,” Albany resident Jeff Shaw said.

Others questioned why the bill is declared as an “emergency” with other pressing issues in the state and with schools like building conditions. KOIN 6 News asked Sen. Frederick why that is. He says they often put emergency clauses on bills and they’re currently working on other school-related issues this session, in addition to this bill. He added that he does believe this issue is an emergency, not wanting further “battles” over books with other more serious issues at hand.

Multiple amendments to SB 1583 were proposed on Tuesday. Lawmakers are next set to review it on Thursday.