Stop the Book Bans in Calvert County!

Act Now

Across the state of Maryland, a small number of bad-faith parental and religious groups have called to strip schools of mostly BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and coming-of-age centered stories. We must protect and uplift the stories that center BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and other marginalized groups. The literature that our children read should include and reflect every person, not just straight, white cismen.

Students, who are BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and/or from other marginalized groups need to be able to read books that center similar life experiences to their own. This helps them understand themselves and the world around them better. Without having avenues to see yourself in books and media, students are at a greater risk of feeling ostracized, depressed, and worse.

Right now in Calvert County Public Schools, Superintendent Dr. Andraé Townsel is overriding the decisions of the Calvert County Public Schools’ (CCPS) library book reconsideration committee. He is restricting access to multiple books and requiring a parent or guardian’s permission if the student is under the age of 18. However, CCPS has not given any permission slips to read the restricted books.

We are taking action to stop the book bans along with Calvert County Parents for Practical Solutions, PFLAG Southern Maryland, and Southern Maryland Young Democrats. We call on the Calvert County Board of Education to prohibit the Superintendent from overriding the library book reconsideration committee and to add a student member to the committee to ensure students’ voices are reflected in those decisions too.

Message Recipients:
Calvert County Board of Education members

[The Form Label field is hidden on ACLU message action forms]

Your Message

Use the form to send a message to your legislator.

Subject

Dear School Board member,

For months, beloved books that center BIPOC and LGBTQ+ characters like Blankets, All Boys Aren’t Blue, and Looking for Alaska, have been stripped from school libraries, with more to come if not stopped. Students are required to provide a parent or guardian’s written permission to be able to check out these books. However, Calvert County Public Schools’ (CCPS) has not produced or given these slips to students, parents, or guardians.

The Superintendent’s restrictions target BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and coming-of-age stories. When a BIPOC and/or LGBTQ+ child does not have access to literature that reflects their lived experiences, they are more likely to feel ostracized, depressed, or worse.

Message Body

Let’s ensure students can thrive and succeed in Calvert County Public Schools. I urge you to vote “Yes” to prohibit the Superintendent from overriding the library book reconsideration committee and to add a student member to the committee to ensure students’ voices are reflected in those decisions too.

Sincerely,

[First Name] [Last Name]

Your Information

All data you enter here will be shared with the message recipient along with your message, per our privacy statement.

Salutation *

(required by some officials)

ABOUT HONORIFIC TITLES

Many public officials use "web mail forms" that this system will send your message to, so you don't have to visit their web sites to communicate with them. The systems that some of these officials use requires that the honorific field be used (Mr., Mrs., Miss, etc.).

Unfortunately, we do not have control of which honorific titles are presented as options. We must adhere to what the officials are using in order for your message to be delivered.

Alternate Salutation

Most elected officials’ constituent email systems accept a very limited set of salutations. Please select the one you would most prefer.

First name *

Last name *

E-mail address *

Address *

Address Line 2

City *

State *

Zip Code *

Phone *

Phone Type *

Show my name in a list of action takers.

Sign me up for ACLU emails so I can stay informed and take action to protect people's rights.

I agree to receive calls and texts (including automated recurring text messages) from the ACLU and its state affiliates at the number I provided above about ways to take action and support the ACLU organizations. Message & Data Rates May Apply. Text STOP to quit. Privacy Statement

Leave this field blank

Stop the Book Bans in Calvert County!

Act Now

Recent participants