Deland Quakers Give Away Black History Books
The Quakers had been collecting books for months as a response to the widespread culling of Black history books from school libraries in reaction to the Anti-Woke Act promoted by Governor Ron DeSantis and passed by the Florida legislature, making it a felony to teach or lend books on Black history not vetted by the Florida Department of Education. They were hoping to get 100 books. But books kept coming. They were stunned to receive nearly 500 books in the mail, delivered by UPS, and left on doorsteps. A woman in Pennsylvania donated $100 by paypal.
“Local DeLand residents, educators, librarians and civil rights advocates donated hundreds of books to us,” says Kathy Hersh, a member of the DeLand Quaker group. “We even got shipments of books from donors in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York. People everywhere are worried about the censorship of books and the whitewashing of Black history in Florida and its ripple affect elsewhere in the country.”
Many were eager to read about lesser-known luminaries of Black history like Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass, and Sojourner Truth. Grandmothers searched through boxes of beautifully illustrated young children’s books for reading aloud to their grandchildren.
“I was a teacher in California in 1980 and there were no books in the school on Black history,” said a retired educator. “I had to buy them myself. I can’t believe you are giving these away.” She reached into her purse and pulled a $5 bill out of her wallet. “Here. I want to contribute a little something to what you are doing.” And then she gave a big hug to the person who had helped her make her selection.
DeLand Friends want to encourage other SEYM Monthly Meetingss and Worship Groups to set up Black history and banned books (lots on LGBTQ+ issues) giveaways to provide free access to books which are being pulled from school and local libraries in Florida. By recycling these books into private homes, we are assuring that children will learn real history and not the whitewashed Black history curriculum being foisted onto teachers in public schools.
~Kathy Hersh
Support Our Work
Your gift funds SEYM programs, events, staff salaries, communications, and representative travel.
Latest Posts
Tallahassee Meeting Minute on War in Israel-Palestine
Tallahassee Friends Meeting approved a Statement on Conflict in Israel-Palestine, below, at their January 2024 meeting for business. In February, they approved taking out a quarter page ad with the statement in a good location in the Tallahassee Democrat.
WIBM & Michener Lecture Highlights
About 100 people gathered in person and online for Winter Interim Business Meeting on Saturday, January 20th and the Michener Lecture on Sunday, January 21st. Orlando Friends, as they do every year, hosted these events, providing delicious breakfasts and lunches.
Half Yearly Meeting Photo Gallery
How to do a Banned Book Give Away
Fall Interim Business Meeting 2023 Highlights
Find Quakers
For Newcomers
Our Faith
About SEYM
Membership
Find Quakers
For Newcomers
Our Faith
About SEYM
Membership
Peace & Justice
Becoming-Anti-Racist
Earthcare
Worship & Ministry
LGBTQ Allyship
Peace & Justice
Becoming Anti-Racist
Earthcare
Worship & Ministry
LGBTQ Allyship
Youth
Young Adults
Child Safety
Youth Resources
Youth Program
We welcome young people’s presence as vital to the depth of spiritual and community life of Southeastern Yearly Meeting as a whole.