Letters to the Editor for June 28 edition

Reader says residents, parents concerned about library books; form BRACE

Growing numbers of Botetourt County residents are learning that our public libraries have recently become polluted with sexually explicit books, DVDs, and “graphic novels” (comic books) aimed at children. The recommended ages of children targeted by these materials varies from 0 to 2 years old, 3 to 7, and 5 to 10 years old. Some of these books promote gender dysphoria. Others encourage sexual experimentation between children and/or with adults.

At least 15 of these books have been located in Botetourt libraries. Residents and parents are concerned. They have a right to be.

To address this problem, citizens have organized a committee called Botetourt Residents Against Child Exploitation (BRACE) to bring their objections to the attention of local leaders and ask that the books be removed from children’s sections. In January, the issue was brought to the attention of Botetourt County Library Director Julie Phillips, the Library Board of Trustees, and the county Board of Supervisors. So far, nothing has been done.

The June 14 edition of The Fincastle Herald contained a notice endorsed by Blue Ridge Supervisor Billy Martin and Valley Supervisor “Mac” Scothorn, which acknowledged the concern of residents and parents, but deflected responsibility to parents and guardians of children who might visit a local library. Unfortunately, a tepid public statement is unsatisfactory because it fails to fully appreciate the grievously deceptive and coercive nature of the material.

These books and media promote scientifically false genders, unnatural sex acts, and distorted family-member roles. Lying is never a benign offense and these books supplant truth with biological lies directed to children – not for purposes of advocacy but, rather, persuasion.

Adults and civic leaders are responsible to protect children from influences that will harm them. Marketing sex and biological fallacies to children is wrong, and that is the reason that the Martin-Scothorn response is wholly insufficient.

South Africa President Nelson Mandella, in a 1997 speech declared, “The true character of a society is revealed in how it treats its children.” Botetourt must do better.

Tim Buchanan

Buchanan