Florida School Moves Amanda Gorman's Poem "The Hill We Climb" to Middle School Section After Complaint

Florida School Moves Amanda Gorman's Poem "The Hill We Climb" to Middle School Section After Complaint

A Florida school has moved Amanda Gorman's poem "The Hill We Climb" to the middle school section of its library after a parent complained that the poem was too mature for elementary school students.

The poem, which Gorman read at President Joe Biden's inauguration in 2021, is a powerful and moving call for unity and hope. However, the parent who complained said that the poem's references to violence and racism were inappropriate for elementary school students.

The school district has not released the name of the parent who complained or the school where the poem was removed. However, the district has said that it is committed to providing a safe and supportive learning environment for all students.

Gorman has responded to the school's decision by saying that she is "deeply disappointed" that her poem has been banned. She has also said that she believes the poem is "an important reminder of our shared humanity and our ability to overcome challenges."

The controversy over the removal of "The Hill We Climb" from the school library is the latest in a series of incidents in which schools have been accused of censoring books and other materials that they deem to be controversial. In recent years, there have been a number of high-profile cases in which schools have removed books about race, sexuality, and other sensitive topics from their libraries.

The removal of "The Hill We Climb" from the school library is a reminder of the importance of protecting freedom of expression in schools. Schools should not be in the business of censoring books and other materials that they deem to be controversial. Instead, schools should be places where students can learn about different perspectives and ideas, even if those ideas are challenging.