Citizens Speak Out to School District of Pickens County Board On Book Selections

Below is the speech citizen Kathleen Campbell presented on March 27, 2023, to the Pickens County School Board on how books schools choose can impact children's life forever. 

"In 1971 I attended a large high school in Cincinnati of over 3,000 students.  My English class that year was pushing 35 students with stadium seating much like an auditorium.  I sat at the back of the class so I could see everything that went on in the class.  My teacher was Mrs. Breneman. I liked her. I still remember the required reading from 9^th grade, 50 years ago; Lord of the Flies.

Many of you know the book. I don’t want to give a book report, but I do want to share my impressions, impressions that made an impact in my life. I remember Mrs. B reading sections and then having discussions.  

I remember looking around the room at all the overweight students and their reaction as she read the description of Piggie.  Every single overweight student had their heads bowed looking down at their desks. It was so noticeable that I found it weird.  I remember listening and wondering how things could go so south so fast in these boys’ relationships, going from friendly, to sick, twisted, heinous behavior, resorting to parading a human head on a stick and even cannibalism.  

I remember that this was the first time I heard the term “survival of the fittest” and although I had no knowledge of God, I never saw the behavior as one of “nature.”  And definitely not something to desire. 

The actions in this book were baseless, violent and motivated by fear.  I do not remember one redeeming attribute of the book and if I learned anything it was that humans are pitiful. This book was inappropriate for a 9^th grader.   I have never read a novel since.  This is the impact that Lord of the Flies made on me. 

Fast forward 50 years. We have 1^st grade teachers reading books about 2 mommies, under the premise that all family structures are the same.  This is totally confusing to a child, and coming against the structure of the traditional, God designed family. You have demonstrations in 5^th grade on how to put on a condom, and in 9^th grade books graphically describing every sex act known to man with erotica.  These books are inappropriate. This sexualization of children is child abuse and must stop.

I end with these words, not my words, but God’s Words from 

Philippians 4:8

“Whatever is true, whatever honorable, whatever is right, whatever pure, whatever lovely, whatever of good report, if of any virtue, and if of any praise, think on these things.”

I appeal to your logic and your spiritual side, the Holy Spirit that lives in you to stand in the gap for the innocence of our children and for righteousness.

Also, right now, you have a decision to make. The state of Florida is now using the Hillsdale College Civics Curriculum.  Please, take a breath, do not jump on this McGraw Hill curriculum and consider the Hillsdale 1776 civics curriculum."

For the next several posts on this website, we will be posting the other speeches given to the School Board by our Conservatives of the Upstate members at this past meeting where the board was considering textbook adoptions. 

Even if you aren't comfortable speaking to the school board, you can attend and applaud when our speakers speak on important issues that matter. We had nearly 20 of our members in all in attendance. Numbers do matter folks! The next School Board meetings will be held on Monday April 24th and Monday May 22 at 6 pm. You can find more info at this link: School Board | School District of Pickens County

We made a huge impact. If we had not been there, all they would have heard from was liberals who think ALL books are acceptable for young minds.

COTU has had several victories lately in the spiritual warfare going on for children's minds.

We had a great victory at this school board meeting, and the board decided to postpone the selection of the Civics textbooks to give parents more time to look over these selections for evidence of leftist indoctrination. If you are interested in helping Conservatives of the Upstate protect children from age-inappropriate books and curriculum and want to make a positive difference in our community on issues, please contact...

Johnnelle Raines @johnnelletommy@gmail.com