KIRKWOOD (KMOX) - The debate over banned books came to Kirkwood Monday night. Parents addressed the school board at its most recent meeting, advocating against against the banning of more than a dozen books in response to a new state law.
Some board members, including Judy Moticka, are against getting rid of some books, saying that kids should feel represented in the books they're reading. She said she's concerned about what kinds of titles are being banned, since some of the books being targeted by legislators center around LGBTQ+ identities.
"The most important thing is the kids feel seen, the kids feel heard, the kids feel safe," she said. "The thought that we would take away kids ability to find themselves, to understand themselves, to feel safe, is wrong."
Board President Jean Marie Andrews denied that getting rid of the books took anything away from kids, and said that it was about safety.
"This conversation never has been about not wanting kids represented in books. This is, and always has been, about sexually explicit content that represents porn."
Kirkwood administrators used the new state law's criteria to take 14 books off the shelves. Kirkwood parents can request that the district get rid of certain books.
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