By admin 
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Knox County Schools in Knoxville, Tennessee, has banned “Roots,” a Pulitzer Prize-winning historical novel by Alex Haley that recounts the multi-generational struggle of his family, starting from the mid-Atlantic slave trade.
Read more Bond for Chud the Builder set at $1.25 million in courthouse shooting case
Under Tennessee’s Age-Appropriate Materials Act, parents can file a report if they believe classroom materials are inappropriate. KCS banned “Roots” because of Chapter 84, which describes the rape of an enslaved woman by a plantation owner.
“I do remember being a child and watching that miniseries with the world,” said Rev. Reneé Kesler, the president of the Beck Cultural Exchange Center. “There was a lot, and it was overwhelming, but I’ve never forgotten it.”
Above all else, Kesler preaches compassion and understanding. She said Alex Haley’s Roots may not be appropriate for every age group.
“But I think we have to pause and say, is taking books off the shelf accomplishing that, or are we doing harm on another front?” she said.
State law is less understanding. The act, passed in 2022, requires schools to maintain a current list of materials in the school’s library collection, which must be posted on the school’s website, and have a policy for reviewing them for age appropriateness.
“The law previously was framed to say, ‘We are analyzing this text to ensure that it’s appropriate.’ But also, we have that lens of saying, ‘Does this have inherent value? Does it have artistic value? Does it have historical value?’” said Keith Wilson, the assistant superintendent of academics for KCS.
Read more WATCH: Tampa bank calls 911 on ‘suspicious’ man who was just waiting for the business to open
Dr. Rev. John Butler, a Knox County School board member, made an impassioned plea to reverse course on the book ban.
“Certain books are being attacked. Certain books that cover certain materials are being attacked. Why are the books about us got to be taken out? The way that this has been set up is simply not right. It’s just not right,” Butler said. “This time, it’s ‘Roots.’ Next time, it’s going to be a book that you really care about. A book that you really think is important that students have access to. When we start snatching these books off the shelves, that is not a good step for education.”
Kesler intends to keep the memory of “Roots” alive because she said history does not judge.
“My role is to ensure history is not erased. My role is to preserve memory,” said Kesler. “History can make you sad. History can make you mad. But history is not to condemn. It’s not really to make you sad, though it might. It’s not really to make you mad, though it will. History is just truth, and truth is what sets us free. Because when we know better, we can do better. Our responsibility is to understand history so that it can help inform us for the future.”
Kesler said those interested in reading “Roots” can do so at the Beck Cultural Exchange Center. She urged people to continue reading books like “Roots” and believes more people will read the book in spite of the ban.
Members of the Knox County Board of Education discussed what steps can be taken to address the concerns of Knox County parents. Knox County Schools’ legal counsel will be reviewing this at the request of several board members.
Read more Stephon Castle gives the Spurs 32 points in a 139-109 blowout to eliminate Timberwolves in Game 6