RantCrush Top 5: March 24, 2017

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg school system in North Carolina was planning on having the book “Jacob’s New Dress” in its curriculum for first-graders as part of an anti-bullying initiative. The book is about a boy who likes to wear dresses. But expectedly, some people complained. The North Carolina Values Coalition, a conservative group that promotes “pro-family positions,” took offense to the book, even though it aims to help kids understand what to do if someone is bullied. “The book is meant as a tool of indoctrination to normalize transgender behavior,” said Tami Fitzgerald, the group’s executive director.

CMS pulled “Jacob’s New Dress” from elementary curriculum after hearing concerns. Book has been replaced. pic.twitter.com/WtkzgGnpxH

— Jenna Barnes (@Jenna_Barnes) March 22, 2017

The authors of the book, couple Ian and Sarah Hoffman, said it’s bizarre to actually believe that a book can turn someone into being “gay, transgender, or anything else.” “If a white kid reads a book about Martin Luther King, is that kid going to become black?” Ian Hoffman said. “If a ballerina reads a book about football, is that going to make her try out for the NFL?” He concluded that the reaction to the book proves that it is needed, and there is still more work to be done.

Emma Von Zeipel

Emma Von Zeipel is a staff writer at Law Street Media. She is originally from one of the islands of Stockholm, Sweden. After working for Democratic Voice of Burma in Thailand, she ended up in New York City. She has a BA in journalism from Stockholm University and is passionate about human rights, good books, horses, and European chocolate. Contact Emma at EVonZeipel@LawStreetMedia.com.