Posted on Aug 8, 2022
A cultural power-struggle at an Iowa library casts a 'dark cloud' over a small town
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The public library in a small Iowa farming town has been embroiled in a monthslong controversy spurred by anti-LGBTQ rhetoric, attempts to censor books with progressive and LGBTQ themes and the alleged harassment of LGBTQ staff members.
The situation reached a tipping point last month when the library — a place referred to by some as the “heart of the community” — was forced to close for more than a week after its interim director resigned, saying he felt ostracized for being gay.
It’s indicative of an undercurrent of homophobia that exists in the town among a small portion of its 5,000 residents, according to more than a dozen current and former Vinton residents. Although not representative of the entire community, the controversy has divided it in recent months, racking up national headlines and leaving some LGBTQ residents feeling unsafe and unwelcome.
With efforts to censor LGBTQ books in many communities across the U.S., along with increased threats targeting Drag Queen Story Hour events, the situation in Vinton appears to be a microcosm of a nationwide trend. It also marks the arrival of a new battleground in the culture wars: public libraries.
The situation reached a tipping point last month when the library — a place referred to by some as the “heart of the community” — was forced to close for more than a week after its interim director resigned, saying he felt ostracized for being gay.
It’s indicative of an undercurrent of homophobia that exists in the town among a small portion of its 5,000 residents, according to more than a dozen current and former Vinton residents. Although not representative of the entire community, the controversy has divided it in recent months, racking up national headlines and leaving some LGBTQ residents feeling unsafe and unwelcome.
With efforts to censor LGBTQ books in many communities across the U.S., along with increased threats targeting Drag Queen Story Hour events, the situation in Vinton appears to be a microcosm of a nationwide trend. It also marks the arrival of a new battleground in the culture wars: public libraries.
A cultural power-struggle at an Iowa library casts a 'dark cloud' over a small town
Posted from nbcnews.com
Reading
Culture
LGBTQ+
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 6
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Not a fan of banning books but I do think some of what is being pushed is not age appropriate.
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This is the thing that about conservatism that is truly sad. The complete lack of empathy. For all of my life the right has engaged in cancel culture, doing exactly this and shutting down any thoughts they don't agree with. Music, videos games, you name it.
Recently there has been push back on conservative ideas progressives have deemed bad and cancelling them in the same way the conservatives have done for my entire life. Conservatives have been very, very unhappy with this. I would have hoped that this experience would have given them some insight into why such things are not always healthy but they don't seem to be able to make that connection. That type of connection requires empathy.
Recently there has been push back on conservative ideas progressives have deemed bad and cancelling them in the same way the conservatives have done for my entire life. Conservatives have been very, very unhappy with this. I would have hoped that this experience would have given them some insight into why such things are not always healthy but they don't seem to be able to make that connection. That type of connection requires empathy.
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Conservatives have been involved in cancel culture for many decades. I find it funny that they accuse the left of cancel culture while ignoring their long history of cancel culture.
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Both sides cancel. The difference is the left *generally* cancels through societal action while the right has been increasingly more willing to use the power of the state
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SFC Thomas Foreman - I prefer to classify some things as accountability culture and others as cancel culture.
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