Judd Legum1. This high school English teacher is trying to ban 150 books from school libraries in Florida
I talked to her to find out why
Buckle up
This one gets a bit wild
🧵
2. One book challenged by the teacher, Vicki Baggett, is When Wilma Rudolph Played Basketball
The book is about the childhood of Rudolph, a sprinter who won three gold medals
It covers how she overcame physical limitations and racial prejudice in the 40s to become a champion
3. In the challenge form submitted Baggett on August 24, she claims that the purpose of the book is "race-baiting" and it is not appropriate for any age group.
4. In an interview, Baggett said the book "trashes and puts down those who are not black." She describes the book, which is a true story of Rudolph's experience, as "very anti-white."
5. Baggett didn't dispute the book was an accurate portrayal of life in the American South in the 40s (separate water fountains etc) but insisted it would make white students "feel uncomfortable" because "they are being white-shamed."
6. Baggett says When Wilma Rudolph Played Basketball is inappropriate because "not all whites treated blacks like this."
Baggett added that "not all blacks do drug crimes, like a lot of people say."
7. Baggett said she challenged the book because she believed it violated the DeSantis' Stop WOKE Act.
The bill prohibits instructing students that they "must feel guilt, anguish… because of actions... committed in the past by other members of the same race"
8. Pressed on whether her interpretation of the Stop WOKE Act would allow any instruction about historical prejudice, Baggett suggested that the book might be appropriate for children starting in fourth grade.
This directly contradicts what she wrote on the form
9. Baggett's social media accounts raise more questions about her approach to racial issues.
In 2015, Baggett posted a picture of the Confederate Flag on her Facebook page.
10. Baggett said she posted the flag because "everyone in my clan fought in the Civil War" and she was not "ashamed of that."
Baggett added that she was a member of the Daughters of the Confederacy, which has been designated as part of the Neo-Confederate movement.
11. As recently as 2018, the Daughters of the Confederacy website stated: "Slaves, for the most part, were faithful and devoted. Most slaves were usually ready and willing to serve their masters."
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/aug/10/united-daughters-of-the-confederacy-statues-lawsuit
12. Baggett said she did not believe the photo of the Confederate Flag she posted on Facebook could make her students uncomfortable. She said her students "know me very well" and "my best friend is a black woman."
Jatee100@juddlegum Yes, there it is. Most racists seem to have that one black friend. Wouldn't you love to know what that "friend" thinks of her.