Texas condemned for placing book on colonization in library’s fiction section

In Montgomery County, Texas, there’s significant uproar following the reclassification of Linda Coombs’ book on European colonization of Native American land. How did this happen, and what does it mean for cultural representation and education?

Anti-censorship advocates, alongside Penguin Random House, have condemned the decision made by a citizens review panel to reclassify “Colonization and the Wampanoag Story” as fiction in children’s libraries. This change was reportedly influenced by rightwing activists. What was the motivation behind this push?

Coombs’ book aims to provide young readers with a historical perspective on the colonization of New England from the viewpoint of Native people, a mission endorsed by PEN America, a nonprofit promoting free expression in literature. Published in September 2023, it is part of Penguin Random House’s Race to the Truth series, which includes other notable titles.

Debbie Reese, founder of American Indians in Children’s Literature, asserted, “To claim this book is fiction dismisses our perspective and history. Books like ‘Colonization and the Wampanoag Story’ are vital for Native kids because they validate our presence today. Moreover, they’re equally important for non-Native kids, who are shaped by the narratives they encounter. A more informed understanding of history benefits everyone in this country.”

Interestingly, multiple libraries, including the Houston Public Library, Austin Public Library, and even the Library of Congress, classify it as nonfiction. However, the reclassification in Montgomery County occurred without input from any librarians, generating backlash after a challenge from a local resident.

What led Montgomery County officials to succumb to conservative pressure and create a system for banning books deemed objectionable? Originally, the committee was focused on assessing books with explicit content, but its scope has expanded.

The Texas Freedom to Read Project, which sought transparency on challenged books, has initiated a petition that has gathered over 34,000 signatures, calling for the reinstatement of Coombs’ book to its proper place in the juvenile nonfiction collection. Co-founder Anne Russey expressed concern, stating, “If this decision is upheld, what’s to stop elected officials or their politically appointed surrogates from reclassifying other nonfiction books based on perspectives or facts they disagree with?”

While the Montgomery commission has yet to comment, PEN America highlights that Texas ranks second in the nation for book bans, having removed 1,567 titles between July 2021 and December 2023, trailing only behind Florida.

Antonio Diaz, a member of the Texas Indigenous Council, remarked that Texas has a troubling history of “whitewashing” Indigenous narratives. “It’s disheartening that a government entity would permit such a biased policy to take root, but in Texas, it’s sadly not unexpected. Racism persists,” he noted.

With these developments, the conversation around educational content and representation continues to intensify. What do you think the long-term implications are for students and educators in regions facing similar challenges?