Film 'Ruby Bridges' banned in a Pinellas County school

[teach1st]

The Weekly Challenger presents "news and information to the African-American communities of Tampa Bay." The school is North Shore Elementary

Film ‘Ruby Bridges’ banned in a Pinellas County school
The Weekly Challenger, 3/19/2023, by Goliath Davis III

ST. PETERSBURG — As the controversy surrounding Toni Morrison’s book, “The Bluest Eye,” continues to swirl, it appears the district may have once again shot itself in the foot by banning the showing of a film depicting Ruby Bridges’ story at an elementary school. Reports indicate that, once again, a single parent provoked the district’s action toward censorship, and the district failed to follow the process when petitioned.

I was stunned to hear the news and thought it must be an idle rumor. I asked myself, what objection could there possibly be to a historical fact of courage and an attempt to obtain an equal education in America?

...

Permission slips were sent home to the scholars’ parents, and all but one parent consented. The opt-out option was granted to the parent who did not want their child to view the film, and the student was not required to do so. As I understand the policy, the school did what was required.

Apparently, someone contacted the school administration to protest the showing. However, as fate would have it, the film had already been shown, followed by an effective lesson. Nonetheless, a district administrator allegedly directed the school to remove the film and never show it again.

https://theweeklychallenger.com/film-ruby-bridges-banned-in-a-pinellas-county-school/