A library in New Jersey has apparently removed a book from its shelves due to pressure from a political group. The problem, first and foremost, is that the protocol for the removal of the book was not strictly followed, and instead, a leader in the library decided to simply bypass the process of removal and just sort of make it disappear. The book is Revolutionary Voices: An Anthology of Queer Youth and the removal controversy is detailed at as well as , and http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/08/nj_public_library_removes_lgbt_book_after_request.php . My biggest concern is the cited reason for the removal: Child pornography, which is in response to the image that my image spoofs, available for your review at — Note that the image may not be suitable for all viewers, at least out of context, but certainly is reasonable enough in the context of art, sexual identity issues, and coming of age in the LGBT community in a world that generally does not accept nor understand it without help. In reality, it looks like a blurry picture of two wrestlers next to a blurry picture of a scout leader and a boy scout. Bad art? Maybe. Child porn? Hardly. Also, some of my favorite librarians in NJ are being given some negative focus for raising their voice about the issue: the unilateral removal of content without proper review. Meanwhile, the rest of my favorite librarians in NJ are showing their strong support for a book that’s being met with (in my opinion) homophobia and prejudice.
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