The above is just one of the inappropriate book titles in SC pubic school libraries that show explicit pornographic material. This material is available for students as young as 12 years old to check out.

Child pornography and pedophilia are crimes in South Carolina. And pornographic and pedophiliac material has been found to be present in SC public school libraries and available to innocent young and enquiring minds. SC Governor Henry McMaster has acted on that information first revealed in Ft. Mill.

McMaster released a public statement about his concern over obscene and pornographic materials being available in our SC public schools. Here is his recent tweet on Twitter,

Today I wrote a letter to S.C. Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman to… immediately begin a comprehensive investigation into the presence of obscene and pornographic materials in public schools in South Carolina.

SC Gov. Henry McMaster calls for investigation by Spearman, and turned report over to SC State Law Enforcement Division for investigation.

The Governor’s letter comes as a result of parents from Fort Mill School District of SC gaining signatures from concerned parents and citizens wishing to have a book removed from the school’s physical and digital library due to it’s obvious obscene and pornographic cartoon depictions of sex acts.

The book titled, “Gender Queer: A Memoir,” written by Maia Kobabe, has stirred controversy in the state of Washington as well as Virginia and Florida. Parents are showing up at school board meetings to demand the books be removed.

McMaster’s letter is quite stern. He included this statement in his letter,

Aside from being deeply disturbing and manifestly inappropriate, it is likely illegal under South Carolina law. Accordingly, by copy of this letter, I am notifying the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division of this matter for further evaluation.

According to SC State Law, Title 16, Chapter15, Article 3, Section 15-15-305, Obscenity, Material Harmful to Minors, Child Exploitation, and Child Prostitution, it is unlawful for any person to knowingly disseminate obscenity. That law can be found at this link: Code of Laws – Title 16 – Chapter 15 – Offenses Against Morality And Decency (scstatehouse.gov).

See this link for more information on the author, Maia Kobabe, who recently published an op-ed defending her book. She stated:

“Removing or restricting queer books in libraries and schools is like cutting a lifeline for queer youth, who might not yet even know what terms to ask Google to find out more about their identities, bodies and health…”

Obscene Book Clearly Violates State Law

As a writer for THE STANDARD and a former public school teacher myself, I researched and viewed this book that has stirred the controversy. It is my opinion the book is clearly in violation of being obscene material.

This is not the first time inappropriate material aimed at children has been discovered in South Carolina public schools. In May 2021 THE STANDARD revealed transgender lessons and material being taught in Lexington School District One.

This book has no place being placed on any school library shelf due to its cartoon depictions of pornographic sexual encounters. I agree with Governor McMaster in writing this stern letter to Superintendent Molly Spearman. She should immediately respond to Governor McMaster’s request in his letter for “directives to prevent pornography and other materials that may already be available to children.”

The title above is just one of many inappropriate books in public schools that don’t just show pornography. Some actually show depictions of child pornography in illustrated acts of pedophilia. One book even includes a “fourth-grade boy performing oral sex on an adult male,” reported the online publication Western Journal.

It is my stance as a former teacher, parent, and grandparent that the only way to stop this type of inappropriate material from getting into the hands of children in our public schools is to demand all SC teachers make their lesson plans public. That would include resources and materials they will use online at least a week ahead of time for parents to view and be able to opt their children out of any lesson that they find offensive.

But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. —- Matthew 18:6 

Also, each individual teacher’s classroom book shelves should be researched for inappropriate materials. Many teachers purchase books to have on hand for children to read during their free time in the classroom setting. And let’s not forget about the fact, most schools allow Book Fairs yearly, such as those sponsored by Scholastic Books to come into individual schools and offer books on display for students to purchase. How much vetting goes on as to what books are put on display for children to view and purchase at the school sponsored Book Fairs? Parents should ask.

A child cannot unsee what they saw, cannot unhear what they heard, and cannot unread what they read.

Stricter policies which prevent these types of  controversies and overreach into parental rights to direct their child’s education are much needed within each local school district in the state of South Carolina.

If you have concerns or information regarding pornography and obscenity in SC schools you may reach the State Department of Education at the following addresses:

State Department of Education

South Carolina Department of Education
1006 Rutledge Building
1429 Senate Street
Columbia, SC 29201
Phone: (803) 734-8500
Website: http://ed.sc.gov/

State Higher Education Agency

South Carolina Commission on Higher Education
Suite 300
1122 Lady Street
Columbia, SC 29201
Phone: (803) 737-2260
Fax: (803) 737-2297
Website: http://www.che.sc.gov/

Special Education Agency

Office of Special Education
South Carolina State Department of Education
1006 Rutledge Building
1429 Senate Street
Columbia, SC 29201
Phone: (803) 734-8224
Fax: (803) 734-5021
Website: http://ed.sc.gov/districts-schools/special-education-services/

You may also contact your local school board with concerns, information as well as speak in a public forum.

Johnnelle Raines is a retired public school teacher of 29 years in the classroom. She is also a Board Member of the United States Parents Involved in Education (USPIE).

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