NFL
By: Zachary Draves
Duval County, Florida has been the subject of intense scrutiny after it was revealed in December by Pen America that 176 children’s books were removed from public school libraries. These books had to undergo an intense review by trained media specialists to determine whether these books were appropriate for school kids under a law that was signed by Gov. Ron Desantis.
The law states that books for K-3 students must not include any teaching about sexual orientation, gender identity, critical race theory, pornography, and discrimination.
Among the books that was under review was a biography on MLB legend Roberto Clemente entitled Roberto Clemente: Pride of the Pittsburgh Pirates” by Jonah Winter and illustrated by Raúl Colón.
(Courtesy: AP/REX/Shutterstock.com)
It is a picture book aimed at 4-8 year olds that captures the life of Clemente as not only one of baseball’s greatest pioneers as the game’s first Afro-Latino superstar, but also a man who had to confront racism and spoke out during the turbulent 1960’s.
(Courtesy: Bettman/Getty Images)
On Wednesday, the Duval County school district determined the book to be appropriate and allowed back into libraries, but it shouldn’t have been this way to begin with.
How in the world is the story of Roberto Clemente not suitable for children or anyone for that matter? Was there some critical race theorist pornography found hidden in his locker that went completly unbeknownst to history?
No it just turns out that he was an outspoken athlete who challenged systemic racism with a vengeance because he had experienced it himself. Therefore, discrimination was very much part of his story and needs to be told so that children can learn not to replicate it.
Clemente’s baseball achievements speaks for themselves and are to take pride in. Over the course his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates, he had 3,000 hits, twelve gold gloves, four National League batting titles, fifteen All Star game appearances, two World Series titles, and was the National League MVP in 1971.
He had a rocket for an arm which wowed fans with his ability to throw the ball all the way from right field to third base and he could run the bases with sheer beauty and intensity.
(Courtesy: The Clemente Museum)
Off the field, he used the power of his words and deeds to address racism.
He was a supporter of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and even invited him for a visit to his farm in his native Puerto Rico. He called out racism and discrimination in baseball and society at large in his native language. He also supported the Black Panther Party’s free breakfast program for kids in Pittsburgh.
His dedication to the common good is what ultimately led him to get on a plane bound for Nicaragua in 1972 to provide relief supplies after a devastating earthquake. On New Year’s Eve, the plane crashed off the coast of Puerto Rico and Clemente died at the age of 38.
(Courtesy: Bettman/Getty Images)
That is a life worth honoring, remembering, and emulating.
The problem with what school officials and politicians like Gov. Desantis are doing by banning books on beloved historical figures, which completely violates the first amendment, is that they are doing a complete disservice to the legacies of these individuals by not telling the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
Proponents of book bans often cite concerns about children learning about the negative aspects of American history that would make them “anti-American”. Well, discrimination and injustice are anti-American and our founding documents have clearly stated so.
Furthermore, if they actual learned the reality about Roberto Clemente they would realize that he himself would call out these kinds tactics. He would have been on the frontlines with the likes of Colin Kaepernick, LeBron James, and the present day athlete activists. He was not to be whitewashed and watered down by any stretch of the imagination.
(Courtesy: Associated Press)
The younger generation can learn a thing or two about a man who walked the walk and put it all on the line for others to live out their destinies.
That is a lesson that needs to be embraced, not erased.
