Florida's Republican Governor Ron DeSantis and his team have promptly refuted allegations that the state has prohibited students from accessing "The Diary of Anne Frank."
This response came after California Democratic State Senator Scott Wiener took to social media platform X on Sunday, asserting that Florida had banned the renowned narrative of a Jewish family's struggle to endure the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. "Florida banning the Diary of Anne Frank tells you everything you need to know about the MAGA movement," Wiener stated.
As reported by Western Journal, a community note clarified that "Diary of a Young Girl, by Anne Frank, is part of the 8th-grade curriculum of the Florida Department of Education." This note directed readers to the official Florida Department of Education website, which indeed lists the book as part of the "suggested book list" for eighth-grade students. Another document on the department's website also includes the book, further debunking the claim.
It appears that Wiener's assertion may have stemmed from a 2023 decision by a Florida high school to remove a graphic novel adaptation titled "Anne Franks Diary: The Graphic Adaptation."
This version contained sexualized content, such as a scene where two female characters propose showing each other their breasts. According to the Associated Press, a leader from Moms for Liberty advocated for its removal, arguing that it trivialized the Holocaust.
Christina Pushaw, the rapid response director for the 2024 DeSantis presidential campaign, criticized Wiener's claim, stating, "This is just a lie," and emphasizing, "Not only is Anne Franks diary not banned in Florida its on @EducationFL recommended reading list."
Governor DeSantis also addressed the issue, remarking, "This is not the first time a leftist has accused Florida of banning a book that is on the states recommended reading list," and sharing Pushaws post. He concluded with, "Another lie debunked."
The narrative of book banning has been a recurring theme among left-wing politicians, media outlets, and activists, who often accuse Republican officials of attempting to censor literature. However, they frequently overlook the fact that the books in question typically contain sexually explicit or homoerotic content.
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