Controversial sign spotted in Langley High School library

By Tisha Lewis | Published February 15, 2022 6:12 PM | Fairfax County | FOX 5 DC

Fairfax Co. responds to controversial sign in school library

A spokesperson for Fairfax County Public Schools says a controversial sign was placed alongside a display of library books at Langley High School. The school district says the sign has been taken down.

FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. - Fairfax County Public Schools says a controversial sign has been taken down. ... The school district is responding to a sign seen in a school library at a parents’ night event for eighth-graders headed to Langley High School next year.

"Some stuff adults don’t want you to read," was reportedly printed onto the sign – referencing a nearby stack of books on gender and race. ... FOX 5’s Tisha Lewis reports a picture of the controversial message to students was posted on Twitter by a concerned parent.

FCPS mother of five Carrie Lukas says it’s yet another sign of what some parents are describing as the school district placing a wedge between children and parents. Lukas is one of three parents suing FCPS over its mask mandate. ... She says many parents who contacted her about this controversial library sign are terrified to speak publicly fearing retaliation.

{snip}

School Forced To Apologize After Republican Whines Over ‘Books Adults Don’t Want You To Read’ Display

February 16, 2022, 11:30 am



Right-wing folks in Virginia were rather offended by a single small, unassuming sign in the Langley High School library in Fairfax County which labeled a display of often-banned books including Maus and entries on racism and queer issues as “stuff some adults don’t want you to read.”

There is absolutely no lie to be found in this brief statement—it wasn’t long ago when news broke that conservatives were trying to ban Maus for some illustrated nudity and swears, and Republicans have been trying to ban books on race and anything about the existence of LGBTQ+ folks the whole time. ... Yet some whiny posts from right-wing parents and Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity resulted in the school apologizing for trying to get kids to read more by calling out the fact that there are adults out there who would very much prefer they didn’t.

Link to tweet

In addition to Maus, the display features Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe and Roots of Racism by Kelly Bakshi. “Wrong on so many fronts,” tweeted Herrity without explaining what about the sign or display was incorrect.

Despite it being completely true, the school ended up apologizing for the existence of the sign, likely made either by some hero librarian or an awesome high school student. ... “The sign was incongruent with the beliefs of our school and our school division,” said Principal Kimberly Greer in an email. “Poor judgment was used in its display and for this, I take full responsibility.”

Local conservative parents invented the idea that the sign was meant to be an “FU” to them specifically or to all parents as they worked to prove the sign to be absolutely right, with commenters leaving advice for how parents can get more books banned.

Link to tweet

{snip}