NEA Under Fire for Promoting Sexually Explicit Literature
The National Education Association (NEA) is the largest professional organization for educators in the United States, with a membership of over 2.3 million teachers and education support professionals. The Rockwood National Education Association (RNEA) is a local affiliate of Missouri National Education Association and National Education Association. The organization's mission is to advocate for quality public education, promote professional development for educators, and ensure that every student has access to a quality education.
In recent years, the NEA has come under scrutiny for its support of controversial books and teaching materials that some parents and educators believe are inappropriate for students. One example is the NEA's promotion of books with sexually explicit content, as seen in the graphic above. While the organization argues that access to diverse literature is important for promoting understanding and empathy among students, critics argue that exposing children to such content could have negative consequences, including normalizing harmful behavior and desensitizing children to sexual content.
The NEA's promotion of books with sexually explicit content raises questions about the organization's stance on sex education and its priorities in promoting universal access to literature. Some critics argue that the NEA's support of sexually explicit materials is part of a broader agenda to promote comprehensive sex education in schools, while others see it as a misguided attempt to prioritize access at all costs over protecting children from potentially harmful content.
Indeed, Resolution B-55 of the NEA's 2022-2023 Resolutions explicitly affirms the organization's commitment to promoting knowledge about sexuality as a fundamental right. While the resolution emphasizes the importance of age-appropriate sex education and acknowledges the role of parents and guardians in guiding their children's sexual development, it also calls for the provision of accurate and comprehensive information to all individuals, regardless of age or circumstance.
This raises important questions about the role of the NEA in shaping sex education policies and promoting universal access to books that may contain sexually explicit content. While the organization's support of diverse literature and inclusive education is commendable, it is important to consider the potential risks and consequences of exposing children to such content, particularly without appropriate guidance and support. As such, it is important for parents, educators, and organizations to engage in ongoing dialogue about how to balance the promotion of access to diverse literature with the need to protect children from harmful content and provide appropriate guidance and support for their sexual development.
A Closer Look at the Books in the Graphic
All Boys Aren't Blue by George M. Johnson is a memoir that explores the author's experiences growing up as a queer Black person in America. The book is a collection of essays and personal stories that touch on themes of identity, sexuality, family, and community. It includes frank discussions of sex and drug use.
Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe is a graphic memoir that explores the author's journey of self-discovery and coming to terms with their gender identity. The book is a combination of personal anecdotes, illustrations, and informational sections that provide insights into the experience of being gender nonconforming. It includes frank discussions of gender identity, sex, and relationships. The book also includes content warnings for discussions of sexual assault.
Lawn Boy by Jonathan Evison is a coming-of-age novel about a young man named Mike Muñoz who is struggling to find his place in the world. Mike works as a landscaper, or "lawn boy," for wealthy clients in a wealthy neighborhood, but he dreams of a better life for himself and his family. The novel explores themes of class, race, and the American Dream, as Mike navigates the challenges of living in a society that values wealth and status above all else. It includes explicit language, drug use, and sexual content.
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison is a novel that explores the destructive effects of societal beauty standards on young black girls in the 1940s. The story follows the life of Pecola Breedlove, a young African American girl who believes that having blue eyes would make her beautiful and accepted by society. It includes explicit and disturbing content, including scenes of rape, incest, and child molestation.
