The intensity of anger at the RSU 24 School Board meeting last Tuesday was astonishing. One might have thought the discussion was not about two books in the library but about the students being forced to read them in class instead of studying STEM subjects.
I wonder why the anger was so explicit and felt sad for the School Board, good people all, who were the targets.
Perhaps the intensity reflected overindulgence in the reflecting pool of social media. But there may be other causes that wiser minds than mine will want to explore for the greater good of the community in the long run.
I was especially struck by the energy behind the anger and wish that energy could motivate positive activities in the Downeast Schoodic area that will benefit the students and the Sumner Learning Campus. It could create an annual Sumner Fair to raise tons of money for student projects and activities. That energy could create a skateboard rink, a public playground for people of all ages, or organize a student worktrip to repair community facilities.
Frankly, I am grateful the controversy brought these two books to my attention: "Queer: The Ultimate LGBT Guide for Teens" by Kathy Belge and Marke Bieschke and "Gender Queer: A Memoir" by Maia Kobabe. I would recommend them to anyone who has a young person in their family who is struggling with depression or thinking of suicide because they wonder about their gender identity. It can happen to any family, or to any friend’s family; and it is good to have these excellent resources known thanks to this controversy.
