Chaos has emerged as an ideological minority strikes fear into the minds of school districts, children, and the education system. Divisive political pundits and calculating individuals in power have been claiming that "critical race theory" has been ravaging the minds of our youth. This couldn't be farther from the truth. This messaging has been used to implement educational policy to prevent students from learning about important American history. Now it is being used to eliminate award-winning literature that discusses the trials, tribulations, and truths of LGBTQ+ youth.

The novels, “Fun Home” and “All Boys Aren’t Blue” are no longer offered in our libraries. Neither are required reading for high school students in Liberty schools. They aren’t part of the curriculum. Limiting or restricting access to these materials does nothing to prevent a child from accessing all the objectionable material they could possibly want and more via the internet.

Because of these poorly made decisions, the Kansas City metro area is watching. The spotlight on our community is not positive. The Kansas City Star notes, "The conflict between intellectual freedom and educating students versus parental rights or political demagoguery has been on display in school districts nationwide. Officials in the Northland should have known better than to fall for the grandstanding act put on by the parent group."

We, the students of Liberty Public Schools, demand for the sake of the qualify of our education, will no longer be undermined by partisan individuals who would rather divide than educate. We will no longer be beholden by a loud ideological minority that hasn't stepped in a classroom for the last 10 years dictate what students choose to read in their free time.