In Miami Lakes, at Bob Graham Educational Center, a controversy ignited a movement. A book challenge revealed that no community, no matter how diverse, is not immune to Moms for Liberty’s efforts to impose their beliefs on all parents.
Table of Contents
- A Book Challenge at Bob Graham Educational
- Ties with Moms for Liberty and the Proud Boys
- The Challenged Books
- The Outcome
- Why Shuffle Books?
- Call to Action
A Book Challenge at Bob Graham Educational
It all began with 5 books. At Bob Graham Educational Center, a parent, Daily Salinas, initiated a challenge against five books in the school's library. Salinas, who would later be revealed to have ties with the Moms for Liberty and the Proud Boys, argued that these books contained inappropriate content for children. The specific titles challenged were not just any books—they were works that represented diverse voices and stories, including Amanda Gorman's, The Hill We Climb.
The challenge was met with outrage from the community. This highlighted a growing concern among many parents: who gets to decide what is appropriate for children, and how does this affect freedom of expression in education?
Ties with Moms for Liberty and the Proud Boys
As the challenge gained media attention, Salinas's affiliations became a focal point. It was uncovered that she had connections with Moms for Liberty, a conservative group known for its efforts to influence educational content in schools across the United States. More alarmingly, her ties with the Proud Boys, a far-right extremist group, raised questions about the motivations behind the book challenge. This revelation added a layer of political intrigue to the situation, as it suggested that the book challenge was not merely about protecting children, but part of a larger, more coordinated effort to control educational narratives.
The Challenged Books
The 5 books she decided to challenge were all about diversity. Two books were about Cuba, and three were by Black authors. Personally, this was surprising to many in the community as Salinas is a Cuban American and is trying to keep information about Cuba from kids—including her own. But when you see the submitted challenge forms, you realize Salinas is just very misinformed.
Countries in the News Cuba & Cuban Kids
 |
 |
As you will see when you open the images, the reasons being used to justify banning this books is ridiculous. She wants to keep information about what life is like in Cuba because she feel it will indoctrinate kids. This does not justify removing materials from all kids, because of one persons misguided understanding of what is considered indoctrination.
The ABCs of Black History & Love to Langston
 |
 |
Once again, there is a misunderstanding. This time it is about what Critical Race Theory (CRT) actually is. She seems to equate CRT with any teaching about racism and the achievements of Black people.
The Hill We Climb
 |
Finally, her challenge for The Hill We Climb is really a showcase of her deep lack of understanding, her deep ignorance, and how she is being led by the growing extremist voices of the time to ban anything they do not agree with.
First, she starts with saying that The Hill We Climb was written by Oprah Winfrey—it was not.
Then, she ends by saying this is not for schools because it "cause (sic) confusion and indoctrinate student". Oh, and has "indirectly hate messages".
If this is how she truly feels about the book, she should choose not to have it available to her own child(ren). However, restricting a book that is a part of living history simply because of a lack of understanding or racial bias is not acceptable.
The Outcome
After going through a school-level reviews, the books were retained, but with their own individual issues.
Countries in the News Cuba was retained on the shelf, as is.
Cuban Kids was moved to the middle school section of the library because, "The content was determined appropriate for middle school students". By the review committees own words, "...this book is a photographic essay documenting the author’s visit to Cuba. The narrative contained in the book is neutral. The book also contains direct quotes from the photographer’s subjects." Why elementary school kids could not view this because based on the review committees assessment is beyond me.
The Hill We Climb was also moved to the middle school section of the library because, "The vocabulary used in the poem was determined to be of value for middle school students. Therefore, the decision of the SMRC is that the book be shelved in the Middle School Section of the Media Center."
Love to Langston was also moved to the middle school section because, "the content and subject matter of poems in this collection were determined to be better suited for middle school readers," even though they "...determined that poetry is open to interpretation and therefore this book does not function as indoctrination. The book’s poems are a reflection of Langston Hughes’s personal experiences."
And the final book, the ABCs of Black History was also shelved in the middle school section because, "...the vocabulary used and subject matter presented was more appropriate for middle school students." This one is particularly irritating because this is a board book, where the review committee points out that the "...book jacket indicate this book was written for ages 5 and up," but felt it was inappropriate for the children it is rated for.
Why Shuffle Books?
By removing books that belong in the elementary section of the library, the are basically banning the book. When librarians notice the books are not being used and are not being checked out—because why would a middle schooler want to read a book meant for 5 year olds?!—then they will be weeded and disposed of.
Call to Action
As Moms for Liberty has their yearly summit next week, we want to remind the State of Florida that they cannont honor the rights of one set of parents while completely ignoring the rights of another sect. If we're going to champion "Parental Rights in Education", then one parent cannot hold more power than the other. For this reason, we started a petition calling on Governor DeSantis and Education Commission Manny Diaz Jr. to Respect the rights of ALL parents.
Please sign the petition below and make your voice heard.
Do you like this page?