A stack of controversial books subject to attempts to remove them from school libraries. PHOTO COURTESY OF GOVERNING.COM

MIAMI – Six members of the Florida Democratic Delegation are calling for Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis to rescind his book ban law after a recent study revealed it’s having a harmful impact to African American students and the LGBTQI+ community.

U.S. Reps. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, who represents portions of Broward and Palm Beach counties, and Debbie Wasserman Schultz from Broward County, wrote a letter to DeSantis and the Florida Department of Education saying the censorship of books poses a threat to children’s well-rounded education and infringes on their First Amendment rights.

Joining Cherfilus-McCormick and Shultz’ letter writing campaign were Florida Democratic U.S. Reps. Kathy Castor, Lois Frankel, Maxwell Frost and Darren Soto.

"We write to share our grave concern regarding the sharp uptick of banned and challenged books across the state of Florida, and the alarming hostility of your administration toward schools, libraries and the professionals who operate them for our constituents," the letter said. "These combined actions, if left unchecked, will foment a noxious climate of repression and marginalization that degrades learning, understanding and undermines all Floridians’ basic freedoms."

The American Library Association reported Florida currently leads the nation in banned books.

Among 2,571 book titles that were banned or challenged in the United States in 2022, most of them occurred in Florida, driving up the objection to the content of specific books to 40 percent nationwide from 2021.

The report says 30 percent of banned books are depriving African Americans of stories about race and 26 percent for the LGBTQI+ community on gay rights, among other stories.

The Florida Democratic Delegation’s response to the survey puts the blame on DeSantis and the Republican-controlled Legislature for attacking the two cultures.

The group said the survey confirmed their fears: DeSantis’ S.T.O.P. Woke which limits lessons in systemic racism in schools is having harmful impacts to students by erasing stories that discuss and tackle racism and explore the experiences of various communities of color or under-represented voices.

"For instance, the alarming dearth of Black voices and images in children’s literature has long been a publishing and academic blemish, and your actions will only compound the educational adversity that these students of color already confront," the letter said. "It is our firm belief that the banning of books because they contain LGBTQI+ content, or involve issues of race or ethnicity, is an explicit attempt to silence the stories of communities that already face an onslaught of legislative attacks, especially in Florida." According to New York-based PEN American, a nonprofit which raises awareness for free expression and human rights, 565 books were banned in Florida schools during the 2021-22 school year and the amount increased to 357 books between July and December 2022.

The statistics were accompanied by many stories featuring LGBTQ+ or Black characters.

Katie Blankenship, Director of PEN America Florida, said unfortunately, the censorship represents a direct attack on these communities that ultimately impacts the well-being of Florida’s underrepresented students.

“Children deserve to see themselves in books, and to have access to a diversity of views and expressions. By making knowledge and ideas available via a wide range of books, school libraries serve the educational process," said Blankenship.

DeSantis and his allies pushed legislation to remove pornographic, violent and “inappropriate” books from the classrooms as part of his S.T.O.P. Woke Act and supporting parental rights.

The law doesn’t ban specific books but instead sets guidelines regarding content which school districts are required to enforce.

According to the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), 82 percent of LGBTQ+ youth reported feeling unsafe in school, and book bans are only adding more problems.

“Inclusive school curriculum – including access to books about LGBTQ+ people, can act as a window for young people into the diverse world around them, as well as a mirror to reflect their own experiences and identities," said Melanie Willingham-Jaggers, Executive Director of GLSEN. "As adults, it is our job to model the future for the next generation, and our youth deserve to grow up in a society that celebrates – not limits – diversity.”

DeSantis’ office did not respond to several emails seeking comment.

In May 2023, DeSantis said Florida had not banned books.

He said the state empowers parents to review curriculum to ensure books are age-appropriate and contact school districts that remove books based on parents’ concerns.

But state law sets rules for which materials are prohibited and prescribes how school districts evaluate objections to books.

The federal government can’t override Florida’s book ban law but it can be overturned in the courts.