South Carolina teacher Mary Wood faced controversy as her students reported her for teaching Ta-Nehisi Coates’ Between the World and Me.
Who is Mary Wood?
Mary Wood, an English teacher in South Carolina, found herself at the center of a heated debate after she assigned Ta-Nehisi Coates’ acclaimed book, Between the World and Me, to her advanced placement class. While her intention was to explore themes of race and history, the decision triggered a series of events that raised questions about freedom of expression and censorship within the education system.
Wood’s lesson plan for her all-white class included discussions on racism, redlining, and access to education – topics closely aligned with the content of Coates’ book, which delves into the Black experience in the United States. Her aim was to encourage students to engage critically with the text, identify themes, and conduct independent research to form their own perspectives.
However, two of her students disagreed with the lesson’s approach. They felt uncomfortable reading Coates’ work, with one student stating that it made them ashamed to be white. These students reported Wood to the school board, citing a South Carolina proviso that prohibits teachers from causing students to feel psychological distress due to their race.
In response to the complaints, school administrators instructed Wood to cease teaching the book and issued her a formal letter of reprimand. Despite calls for her termination from some quarters, Wood maintained that she had not violated any school policies.
The incident highlighted a growing trend of censorship attempts targeting books and discussions related to race and racism in schools across the United States. Coates’ Between the World and Me is one of many books that have faced challenges and bans in educational settings, particularly in states like South Carolina, Texas, Florida, Missouri, and Utah.
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As the new school year approaches, Wood remains uncertain about the reception she will receive from students, parents, and the community, reflecting the broader debate about the freedom to teach and the right to learn in a diverse and evolving society.
