To the Editor:

I’m strongly against book banning. Still, I want to begin by saying I happen to know a number of people on the other side of this debate, and the people I know are in no way pursuing this because they’re anti-LGBTQ or racist.

That must be said. However, what also must be said is that the origins and inspirations of this book banning effort are far more invasive and manipulative than most people realize, and these efforts should be kept far away from Newtown.

The book Flamer was already removed from the middle school. A few parents filed a challenge to its presence in the high school, and it’s been taken up by a Special Review Committee. And that’s where the process should end.

The BOE should endorse the findings of the review committee — for any book, no matter what the review committee’s answer is. Respect the policy, the process, and the professionals.

The BOE’s consideration on this topic should have started here:

• How many times had Flamer (or Blankets) actually been checked out before March? They know that answer.

• So then where did the outrage around Flamer come from, and where did all those cleanly produced page images being shared online come from?

Well, here’s a big part of it. Newtown is experiencing the trickle-down effect of a national effort by rich donor-driven organizations who are carrying out a broad campaign to ban books from school libraries — very often focused on books that address LGBTQ issues, race, or marginalized communities. It’s happening. It’s not denied by anyone, and it’s not a conspiracy theory.

These efforts eventually take the form of local, “grassroots” groups that seemingly spring up naturally, who then stir up the public and present a common list of book titles that have been deemed inappropriate — by somebody, somewhere, outside of our community.

It’s artificial and manufactured, but it riles up otherwise smart, rational people to the point of making them feel like they must take a stand. Flamer, reportedly, had never been checked out by any student. Blankets was checked out only once, nearly a decade ago. There was no authentic rage here until someone invented it.

Bottom line, book banning is an ugly business and it’s supporting a much broader effort than to simply protect some parents’ children from questionable content — whether these parents agree or not with the broader effort, or whether they’re even aware of it. Let’s keep this stuff out of Newtown.

With a delayed vote, the BOE can now reset and do the right thing by rejecting the manipulation of our town from outsiders. They have a solid process and policy in place, led by highly competent, trained professionals. The BOE should trust, respect, and endorse their recommendations here.

I believe the BOE when they say they don’t want to be known as the Book Banning Board. Please rise above this and endorse the recommendations of the Special Review Committee.

Paul Lundquist

Newtown