School Board Debates Bans Manga, Not Understanding it’s Read Right to Left
The discussion and vote is about the 47 minute mark
Book bannings are popular today with regressive entities who use culture wars to be elected and expand their control. Usually, those doing the banning just wear their bigotry on their sleeve, but the chair of the Brevard County, Florida school board went with proudly displaying her ignorance of other cultures too.
In a discussion about banning manga, the chair couldn’t understand why it was read right to left. Saying the book is read “backwards,” and partially due to that, it shouldn’t be provided to children as it might confuse them. Yes, this is the level of intelligence that is making vital decisions regarding children.
You start the book, you read it backwards. I mean, when you start reading a book, which we’ve been teaching our kids from day one, you start at the beginning and you read from left to right, bottom to top, not that book you don’t.
The second individual at least spoke up stating it was Japanese and stuck to the law, saying the manga didn’t violate Florida’s statute.
Being discussed was Sasaki and Miyano Vol. 1 by Shou Harusono and published by Yen Press. The manga is part of the “boys’ love” genre. Also debated were People Kill People, which addresses gun violence and white supremacy and Damsel.
Sasaki and Miyano Vol. 1 was initially recommended in being removed due to the same-sex relationship. An alternative suggested? Chainsaw Man! No, we’re not joking.
Florida House Bill 1069, gives school boards the authority to determine the age-appropriateness of library content, and has led to the removal of dozens of books in Brevard since its passing.
