An Alabama community is rallying behind award-winning author Derrick Barnes after Alabama schools canceled three appearances scheduled for Black History Month.
Barnes was set to appear at Bluff Park, Deer Valley, and Gwin Elementary Schools located within Hoover and Alabaster schools this month to read to the children and sign books.
The Hoover City school district told WKRG 5 News that the two sides failed to agree on a contract. Hoover Schools Superintendent Dee Fowler later told AL.com that an elementary school principal received a complaint from a parent about “controversial ideas” in Barnes’ social media post. However, officials said they had not seen the alleged posts and could not say what the author said on his platform.
The Alabaster school district has yet to make a comment on the situation.
“The Hoover City Schools District apologizes for the inconvenience caused to author Derrick
Barnes and his team,” a representative sent in a written statement. “The cancelation of Mr. Barnes’ visit to Bluff Park, Deer Valley, and Gwin Elementary Schools next month is due to the lack of a contract requested on three occasions. It is the district’s business practice to require contracts for services provided or goods exchanged.”
Barnes did not buy the explanation and even suggested a sit-down with the superintendent or anyone that doesn’t like the message his books portray. He is known for writing stories about Black children and their experiences growing up in America.
His 2017 book “Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut” received national attention after earning a Newberry Honor, Caldecott Honor, a Coretta Scott King award, and the Kirkus Prize.
“I really try to focus on writing books where Black children are doing ‘slice of life’ things,” said Barnes. “When I first got into the industry, all the books that were written by Black authors that got awards were always about civil rights or slavery. No bedtime…
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