Unleashing Chaos: Mat-Su School Board Escalates Attacks on Libraries
If you've been even remotely tuned in to the whirlwind of events unfolding in the Mat-Su, it's hard to miss the presence of these self-proclaimed righteous champions of the far-right. Fueled by an unyielding desire for censorship, they're advocating for citizen arrests of both public and school librarians. Their unforgivable offense? Defending the rights of individuals to read whatever the hell they want.
Jackie Goforth, the pseudonymous book author Jackie Ivie, has emerged as a prominent figure leading the charge in the valley's fervent book-banning crusades. In Anchorage, her notoriety stems from grotesque testimonies during an unforgettable series of fire and brimstone Anchorage Assembly meetings polluted with throngs of COVID-19, mask, and vaccine misinformation that we're all striving to leave behind.
Goforth's efforts to impose her moral code on others reeks of hypocrisy, especially when one looks closely (and how could you not?) at her tantalizing book covers. These covers, adorned with provocative and alluring images of half-naked men (and sometimes women), display glistening, tanned, and impeccably smooth skin, enticing readers to explore the forbidden territories concealed beneath their pants.
Goforth has also testified in front of the Mat-Su School Board. With her book-banning activism and the agenda of the upcoming meeting in mind, brace yourself for a formidable turnout as she and her followers assemble in full force, ready to testify in support of erasing any reference to diversity in school libraries.
Today, Rebecca Moorman, Chair of the AkLA Intellectual Freedom Committee, issued a call to action asking individuals to testify at the next Board meeting.
Next Wednesday, June 7th, the Mat-Su School Board will hold a first reading of changes to Board Policy 6163.1 on Libraries/Media Centers. There is a slew of proposed changes in the document that seek to tighten Board control over collection decisions while simultaneously erasing crucial language about libraries serving as safe spaces and pursuing diverse perspectives.
A signup sheet will be available at the entrance before the meeting. If time allows, the Board President will ask for any additional persons in the audience wishing to speak who could not sign up. Public testimony may also be submitted in writing and emailed to the School Board using this link.
You can read Moorman's entire call to action and learn how to get involved in the fight to preserve the right to read at this link.
