I raise a cheer-and-a-half to the local librarians whose efforts to diversify their children’s and young adult offerings are described in a recent piece in the Gazette (“I feel noticed,” Feb. 26)
Stories of interracial friendship and of lives different than our own are lovely and most welcome. And cultural diversity is a fine thing, though in the current prevailing definition of multiculturalism, some cultures seem more multi than others.
Where I stop cheering is when the call not just for awareness but for activism starts (for example, the book “A is for Activist.”) It should not be the job of our public librarians, or any public institutions, to instill specific political views on our children, or to urge them to speak out in favor of these — meaning the librarians’ — views.
I doubt that the same local libraries would ever urge local youngsters to speak out, say, against abortion, or in favor of the right to bear arms, nor should they. And if they did, I strongly doubt that the Gazette would cover the story as favorably.
It’s none of the librarians’ business what issues our children are urged to tackle. It’s for parents to decide. Really, this practice should be put to an end.
John Montanari
Shutesbury