Author Judy Blume took aim at Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) on Tuesday, claiming that “Teachers are under fire [and] librarians are threatened."
Known for books such as Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, Freckle Juice, Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, Superfudge, and many others; she is one of the most famous authors across ages.
“I live in Key West — even though we like to pretend it’s not in Florida — we have the same governor,” Blume said at Variety‘s Power of Women luncheon.
Judy Blume on Ron DeSantis: "A governor who wants to control everything, starting with what kids can think, what they can know, what they can question, what they can learn, and even what they can talk about." | Variety Power of Women presented by @LifetimeTV pic.twitter.com/FYDDBOHXtQ
— Variety (@Variety) April 4, 2023
“A governor who wants to control everything," she began, referring to DeSantis. "Starting with what kids can think, what they can know, what they can question, what they can learn, and now even what they can talk about."
"We have a legislator who’s trying to put through a bill preventing girls in elementary school from talking about periods … Good luck there," she added.
Blume further claimed, “They are criminalizing teachers and librarians. It’s not just that they’re threatening their jobs; they’re threatening them. They could go to jail, all because they stand up for the rights of the students they teach. All because they refuse to give in to fear."
According to the author, "I’ve known librarians who have saved lives by handing the right book to the right child at the right time. And for that one kid, finding themselves in a book can be a lifesaver.”
Blume was likely referring to actions from the DeSantis administration to prevent pornographic and inappropriate materials from being accessible to young children in schools. Last year, the Florida governor signed a bill into law that expands parental rights in their children's education and prohibits classroom instruction on gender identity and sexual orientation in kindergarten through third grade.
DeSantis additionally targeted Critical Race Theory, signing into law last year a measure to prohibit the ideology from being taught in schools.
"We're here today because we believe in education, not indoctrination," he said then.
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Blume has been one of the most frequently challenged authors of the 21st century, according to the American Library Association. In 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2010, she was listed as one of the most frequently challenged authors.
Between 1990 and 1999, five of the author’s books were on the list of the 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books during the decade. Forever was challenged seven times, Blubber 30 times, Deenie 42 times, Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret 60 times, and Tiger Eyes 89 times.