Irish schools may drop US novels over racial slurs

Ireland’s Department of Education is considering removing To Kill a Mockingbird and Of Mice and Men from the secondary school curriculum after students, parents, and teachers complained to Education Minister Norma Foley about the repeated use of racial slurs in the famous books. Both novels, set in the American South, have appeared on the Irish Junior Certificate syllabus for years, but now face calls to be replaced in the wake of global Black Lives Matter protests resulting from the killing of George Floyd in May.

Irish Central, Sept. 14

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Samantha Kretschmer writes: “A staff survey conducted by administration at my library two years ago pointed to a general feeling of discontent amongst staff. The administration formed a Staff Advisory committee, which I was tasked with chairing. The point of this committee was to promote understanding and cooperation between the various branches and departments of the library; to promote productive cooperation between staff, management, and administration; to provide a place for a constructive exchange of ideas; to serve as a channel for staff questions, comments, and concerns; and to help create a community amongst staff.”

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Literary Hub, Nov. 26
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The Atlantic, Nov. 29
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American Libraries column, Nov./Dec.
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