A Texas parent demanded Katy Independent School District remove the book, “Michelle Obama: Political Icon,” by Heather E. Schwartz, from their libraries alleging it “unfairly” depicts former President Donald Trump as a “bully” and makes white girls feel ashamed of themselves.
The biography of the former first lady written for children is on the list of 50 books that parents in Texas have asked school districts to ban, according to NBC News.
The parent said the book “unfairly” depicted Trump “as a bully,” and gave the impression that “if you sound like a white girl you should be ashamed of yourself.” The parent also complained of “complete leftist indoctrination” of any child who reads the biography.
Spokesperson for the district, Maria Corrales DiPetta told The Hill that the district reviewed the book after the complaint and determined it would not be removed.
“The inquiry cited was submitted by one parent of the over 89,500 children the school district serves,” DiPetta said. “Contrary to suggestive media reports, the book was never considered for removal, nor removed at any point, from District libraries.”
Schwartz, the book’s author said she was “shocked” that anyone would want to ban the book. “I take great pains in my work to present fact-based information and avoid any political slant,” she said.
“As an author, a reader, and a parent, I’m against book banning on principle. There couldn’t be a safer way for kids to learn about difficult topics, gain new perspectives, and explore the world and their place in it than by reading words on a page,” she added.
