A Texas county has reversed its decision to classify Native American history books as fiction in all public libraries after receiving widespread criticism and backlash from authors, advocacy groups, and the publishing industry.
The controversy began in September when an anonymous lawmaker from Montgomery County, Texas, objected to the nonfiction book “Colonization and the Wampanoag Story” by Native American historian Linda Coombs. As a result, this book has been moved to the fiction section. washington post Reported.
Ultimately, the decision sparked anger among local residents because the county-appointed resident review committee that made the decision had no formal literary background or library training. Additionally, many were angered by those who questioned the factual accuracy of Native American history and experience.
“This feels more like whitewashing and rewriting history…and that’s really scary,” Anne Rassey, co-founder of the Texas Freedom to Lead Project, told the magazine.
Authors, advocates and groups like PEN America and Penguin Random House wrote an open letter asking the county to reconsider its decision, saying the book’s move to reclassify undermines the truth of what actually happened. wrote.
“‘Colonization and the Wampanoag Story’ is a carefully researched, fact-based account of the indigenous perspectives of New England tribes on the effects of European colonization.” letter state. “Moving to the fiction section conveys a distrust of material that reflects the truth of American history.”
After public outcry and pressure from literary organizations to reverse the move, the Montgomery County Commission returned the book to its original nonfiction category. The switch came just days after the initial reclassification.
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