Story perspectives

Knox County Bans ‘Roots’, Adds to 124-Title List

5/16/2026

Summary

Story summary

Knox County Schools removed Alex Haley’s novel “Roots” from all school library shelves under Tennessee’s Age-Appropriate Materials Act.
The removal targeted a passage the district classified as depicting sadomasochistic abuse according to the 2024 revision of the law.
The district’s banned-title list grew to 124 works as enforcement of the Act intensified.
Board attorney David Dupler said the law offers no appeal process to reinstate a banned title.

History

Historical Context

The Supreme Court’s 1982 Island Trees v. Pico decision held that a school board may not remove library books simply because it dislikes their ideas, issuing a 5-4 ruling that affirmed students’ First Amendment right to receive information. That precedent underlies Knox County Schools’ 2024 removal of Alex Haley’s *Roots* under Tennessee’s Age-Appropriate Materials Act, reviving the same constitutional clash.

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Story summary

Knox County Schools removed Alex Haley’s novel “Roots” from all school library shelves under Tennessee’s Age-Appropriate Materials Act.
The removal targeted a passage the district classified as depicting sadomasochistic abuse according to the 2024 revision of the law.
The district’s banned-title list grew to 124 works as enforcement of the Act intensified.
Board attorney David Dupler said the law offers no appeal process to reinstate a banned title.

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