MARSHALL UNIVERITY and BANNED BOOKS WEEK
(Marshall Exposed)
By Karl C. Priest June 8, 2019 (revised 10-10-19)
In 2015 Marshall University Libraries and the American Civil Liberties Union had a sham program to observe “Banned Books Week.” The event was a vicious attack on the
Kanawha County Textbook Protesters that included this whopper: “The protest sparked the banning of books throughout the entire United States.” I challenge anyone to prove it. Of course the usual exaggerated and false slurs were included such as: “These protests quickly became unruly and violent, many school buildings, school busses (sic) and homes of children still attending school were attacked with bombs, gunfire and even stoned.” The FACTS prove that the Protesters were NOT VIOLENT! The bald-faced lie about the homes of children is a new one to me and I thought I had heard them all.*
Blatant hypocrisy was exhibited by Marshall University official Monica Brooks who “spoke about the importance of bringing this subject to the attention of Marshall University Students. ‘One of the reasons we bring programs like this to Marshall is so that we can broaden people’s perspectives and enlighten students who might not be exposed to this information other wise (sic),’ Brooks said. Campus’ libraries provide all genres and level of controversial topics to students to ensure their need for their individual education and topics with in their major are being met and material is being adequately provided. ‘We do not censor, we do add materials to the collection that some people might find offensive because they may be pertinent to support curriculum or research needs…’”
BWHAHAHA! Marshall University does not have a copy of my book and Marshall University has not (to date—June 2019) shown any interest in hearing the points made by the Protesters.
(Banned Books Week: The Great Textbook War Lecture by Kelsie Lively, reporter (for the student newspaper) September 30, 2015 https://marshallparthenon.com/6149/news/banned-books-week-the-great-textbook-war-lecture/) The complete article is below.
In another article Brooks was quoted saying "We believe very firmly that everyone should have access to information and use their critical thinking skills to make good decisions and hopefully be exposed to more than one viewpoint." That sanctimonious statement does not include access to my book and the viewpoint of the Protesters.
The panel discussion included Trey Kay, the executive director of the ACLU of West Virginia, and a Riverside (Kanawha County) High School AP literature teacher. Trey Kay is reasonably objective, the ACLU is a hate-group, and regarding the teacher, see item 14
at Why Protester Voices —the 1974 Textbook Tea Party Qualifies as a Banned Book. It brings to mind an image of three ostriches with their heads in the sand patting each others’ fannies with their tail-feathers.
(Marshall, ACLU host discussion on Kanawha County 'textbook war' by Bishop Nash Oct 1, 2015
https://www.herald-dispatch.com/news/marshall-aclu-host-discussion-on-kanawha-county-textbook-war/article_b6c141f6-67f1-11e5-9e95-7727d5f14663.html) The complete article is below.
*A friend commented: “'...attacked with bombs, gunfire and even stoned.’ Even STONED? Wow, I mean, being bombed is pretty bad, and getting shot at isn't very pleasant, but having someone throw stones at your house, whew, that's REALLY horrible."
Note from Karl:
I wanted to discuss the matter. The following is a complete chronological chain of communication. Explanatory notes are in red.
I did not attempt to contact Bishop Nash of the Herald-Dispatch.
I emailed Ms. Lively at lively37@marshall.edu on May 29, 2019.
Dear Ms. Lively:
Regarding your article at https://marshallparthenon.com/6149/news/banned-books-
week-the-great-textbook-war-lecture/:
Why was I not invited? Perhaps because I have facts like those at http://www.insectman.us/testimony/protester-voices.htm
Sincerely,
Karl Priest
Note from Karl:
I did not receive a reply.
On May 31 I tried to contact Ms. Brooks.
Dear Ms. Brooks:
In a 2015 article (https://marshallparthenon.com/6149/news/banned-books-week-the-great-textbook-war-lecture/) you are quoted as saying "One of the reasons we bring programs like this to Marshall is so that we can broaden people’s perspectives and enlighten students who might not be exposed to this information other wise," Brooks said. Campus’ libraries provide all genres and level of controversial topics to students to ensure their need for their individual education and topics with in their major are being met and material is being adequately provided. "We do not censor, we do add materials to the collection that some people might find offensive because they may be pertinent to support curriculum or research needs…”
Are you aware of my book Protester Voices--The 1974 Textbook Tea Party? (http://www.insectman.us/testimony/protester-voices.htm)
Thank you.
Karl Priest
Note from Karl: On June 3 I emailed the Director of Communications, Office of University Communications. There is no need to provide the name.
On May 31 I sent an email to Monica Brooks. I did not receive an "Out of Office" notification.
Is she receiving emails?
Thank you.
Karl Priest
Note from Karl:
I did not receive a reply.
On June 4 I emailed the university president—Jerome A. Gilbert.
Dear President Gilbert:
I have sent email questions to Ms. Monica Brooks and Ms. Leah Payne and have not received a response.
Are either of them on no longer with Marshall?
Thank you.
Karl Priest
Note from Karl:
I did not receive a reply.
Also, on June 4, I emailed the Assistant Director of Communications, Senior University Relations Specialist, Office of University Communications There is no need to provide the name.
Hello:
Please tell me how to reach Dr. Monica Brooks.
Thank you.
Karl Priest
Note from Karl:
I did not receive a reply.
On June 6 I called the office of Monica Brooks and left a voice mail. Then I sent an email at 2:25 p.m. The email included a copy of my original email below my name which I have not included with this entry.
Dear Dr. Brooks:
I as I said in my 2:19 PM phone message to your office, I will be out for the afternoon so I am resending the below email which may have ended up in your SPAM folder.
Please respond.
Thank you.
Karl Priest
Note from Karl: Dr. Brooks replied and the correspondence follows.
June 7, 8:46 a.m.
Hi Mr. Priest – so great about your book. Several years ago I had a student in one of my classes who was working in that school when this happened. Thank you so much for sharing! This was a pivotal time in history that our students need to be made aware of. Dr. Brooks
Monica García Brooks, EdD
Associate Vice President for Online Learning & Dean of University Libraries
Drinko Library 306 | One John Marshall Drive | Huntington, WV 25755 | 304.696.6474 office | 304.690.1662 txt/cell | monica.brooks@marshall.edu
June 7, 10:48 a.m.
Dear Dr. Brooks:
Thank you for responding.
Please answer some sincere questions.
What school are you referring to? I do not recall mentioning a school.
Does the Marshall library contain a copy of Protester Voices--The 1974 Textbook Tea Party? (http://www.insectman.us/testimony/protester-voices.htm)
If not, will you make sure that the MU Library gets a copy?
Have you read the book?
In 2009 and 2015 Marshall hosted a forum that was critical of the 1974 Kanawha County Textbook Protesters. The lady who came in 2009 was not a representative of the Protesters. Why was I, or someone informed with an opposing viewpoint, not included?
I am dismayed at the amount of personal prejudices, biased reporting, and shoddy research that has defamed thousands of fine citizens of West Virginia. I am referring to the 1974 Kanawha County Textbook Protesters. Based upon your statement (below) will you lead the way to bring a program to Marshall University that will "broaden people’s perspectives and enlighten students who might not be exposed to this information other wise."
With respect.
Sincerely,
Karl
June 7, 11:03 a.m.
Hi Mr Priest
We will definitely look into it - acquisitions has closed for this year but we will put it on our list for next fiscal year.
We have already set up our programming for next year- our emphasis will be recruitment of new students but will keep creative programs in mind for the future.
I don’t recall the school she worked at but I had a student who remembered these events from 1974.
Thanks so much for sending this along!
Sent via mobile -
Monica García Brooks, EdD
AVP for Online Learning & Dean of Libraries
Marshall University
June 7, 11:43 a.m.
Dear Dr. Brooks:
I will be blunt.
Your response is a brush off.
Marshall University has defamed thousands of fine citizens of West Virginia. Marshall University should make a priority of correcting this egregious fact.
For documented facts about what has been done to the Kanawha County Textbook Protesters, please see Textbook Protester Truth. (http://www.insectman.us/testimony/textbook-protester-truth/the-facts.htm)
Also, please see how Protester Voices has been censored and suppressed. (http://www.insectman.us/testimony/banned-book.htm)
Marshall University students should be exposed to those facts because, as you say, "This was a pivotal time in history that our students need to be made aware of."
If Marshall ever rights this wrong, I will be sure to acknowledge that fact.
Respectfully,
Karl
Note from Karl:
I did not receive a response, but see more about her below.
On Jun 21, 2019 2:06 pm I received this email from Brandi Jacobs.
Mr. Priest,
Your email was shared with me. Have you been assisted or is there some way that I may be able to answer questions that you may have about the University.
Best regards,
Brandi
____________________________
BRANDI D. JACOBS-JONES
Chief of Staff | Sr. Vice President for Operations
Marshall University
Old Main 114
One John Marshall Drive
Huntington, WV 25755
304.696.3328 (office) 304.360.3415 (cell) 304.696.2450 (fax)
jacobs2@marshall.edu / www.marshall.edu
From: Karl Priest < kcpriest@aol.com >
Sent: Tuesday, June 4, 2019 9:08 PM
To: Marshall University President's Office < president@marshall.edu >
Subject: Questions about Marshall
Dear President Gilbert:
I have sent email questions to Ms. Monica Brooks and Ms. Leah Payne and have not received a response.
Are either of them on no longer with Marshall?
Thank you.
Karl Priest
Note from Karl: I responded by email that day and left a phone message the next day. Then I sent the following to the Marshall University president. It contains my email to Ms. Jacobs.
Jun 25, 2019 10:01 pm
To: president@marshall.edu
CC: jacobs2@marshall.edu
June 25, 2019
Dear President Gilbert:
I received the email below the horizontal line (omitted here for the sake of duplication ) from Ms. Jacobs and when I responded I got this notification:
550: permanent failure for one or more recipients (jacobs2@marshall.edu:blocked)
On June 24 I left a telephone message for Ms. Jacobs which has not been returned.
So, below my name (in blue font) is my response to her query.
Respectfully,
Karl Priest
Hello Brandi:
Please see http://www.insectman.us/testimony/textbook-protester-truth/marshall-exposed.htm .
If Marshall would like to right its wrongs on that subject, just let me know.
Thank you.
Karl
Note from Karl:
I did not receive a response.
URLs have been added in parenthesis which were in the hot links of the original correspondence. This is so the website URLs will be visible to anyone reading a hard copy.
On pages of 164-165 of Protester Voices--The 1974 Textbook Tea Party I wrote (in 2010) about two 2009 incidents:
>
On Tuesday, November 3, I was surprised to read the following in the Gazette.
Another free public forum about the historic 1974 Kanawha County uprising against "godless textbooks" is scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday at George Washington High School auditorium.
Producer Trey Kay is to present his public radio documentary, "The Great Textbook War," to be followed by a panel discussion with the Rev. Jim Lewis and other figures who were involved in the controversial clash 35 years ago.
(http://www.wvgazette.com/News/200911030600)
Mr. Kay did not let any protesters know about this event.
In the same article I found:
Similar documentary presentations and panel discussions about the 1974 fundamentalist protest are set for Thursday and Friday at the John Deaver Drinko Library at Marshall University in Huntington. (10)
When I contacted Mr. Kay he told me the protesters would be represented by Kelly Wills-Carson who was in the documentary. Mrs. Carson was a child who was placed in a Christian school during the protest. I doubt if she was capable (even if she wanted to) of providing a rebuttal to someone as experienced as Jim Lewis. (11)
A panel discussion featuring a pro-book leader without a protest leader is bogus.
I didn’t need to hear the discussion for I could have pre-written the dialogue. I was unable to locate an audio recording of any of the post Forum sessions.
Avis Hill said, “It appears to me that they can't debate us, so they debate empty chairs that can't talk back. It will be just a sham--twisting history once again.” Hill even offered to fly in to represent the protester side.
Hill, like me, thinks the pro-bookers feared a fair fight.
In my opinion, the whole thing is rather suspicious. It appears that the liberal powers that be were distressed that the documentary only slanted the story (by my estimation) 52-48 percent in favor of the pro-bookers. Pro-bookers cannot tolerate anything close to fair and balanced reporting.
In order to have had an academic and objective series of follow-up forums, a group equally representing both sides should have appeared together.
Note from Karl: Footnotes (pages 169-171 of Protester Voices--The 1974 Textbook Tea Party:
(10) Marshall University’s College of Education and Human Services and its Information Technology division hosted a two day symposium on the Textbook War on November 5 and 6, 2009.
A Marshall press release quoted Mr. Kay as saying, “Controversy erupted over newly adopted school textbooks. School buildings were hit by dynamite and Molotov cocktails, buses were riddled with bullets, journalists were beaten and surrounding coal mines were shut down by protesting miners.” Once again, the violence (which was a small part of the protest—see Chapter 1) is the highlight of a propaganda piece about the Textbook War.
The only reference to teachers was, “English teacher Mildred Holt, who had grown up in Kanawha’s black community, was excited to teach the works of African American writers, but when the KKK began to protest the books, she felt sure the protest was racially based.” The KKK became involved late in the protest. No teacher was ever banned from teaching material from black authors.
That a black teacher would embrace the pathetic examples of black literature represented in the protested books is sad. How Marshall University can ignore the voices of protester teachers can only be explained by narrow-minded liberalism. If Marshall students were present, the goals of a comprehensive education were not met.
The news release also claimed that there would be “a panel discussion in the atrium covering both sides of the issue presented in the broadcast with Trey Kay, Reverend Jim Lewis, Kelly Wills-Carson, and Stan Bumgardner.” That is pure rubbish! Carson and Lewis are discussed above. Kay, at best, is objective, but certainly not on the protester side. Baumgartner (a historian) is an unknown, but I have never heard of him being sympathetic to the protesters.
It is obvious that the follow-up forums were designed to be an ode to liberals like Lewis and a pathetic attempt to save face after the illogic and duplicity of the pro-book panelists was exposed at the real Forum.
After I posted my comments on the Internet about the follow-up forums, I was politely taken to task by a liberal who was there and wanted to defend the format of the follow-up forums.
>
Note from Karl: The transcript of that dialogue is included below.
>
(11) Ms. Wills-Carson did not respond to my request to contribute protester positive commentary for this book.
>
Note from Karl: The above is documentation that exposes Marshall University as hypocritical contributors and perpetuators of the slurs, lies, exaggerations, sensationalism, historical errors, and omission of key facts that have been used against the “Courageous Corps of 74”—the Kanawha County Textbook Protesters.
The two articles are below.
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Note from Karl: Here are the two articles referred to above.
Banned Books Week: The Great Textbook War Lecture
Kelsie Lively, reporter September 30, 2015
Marshall University Libraries and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of West Virginia have teamed up to celebrate Banned Books Week along with Native West Virginian, Trey Kay to present his documentary podcast “The Great Text Book War”.
The Kanawha County Textbook Controversy was a religiously influenced educational protest that took place in West Virginia in 1974. The protest sparked the banning of books throughout the entire United States.
In 1974, the English Language Arts Textbook Committee of Kanawha County recommended 325 new textbooks to be integrated into the counties curriculum, many Conservative-Christian parents of the area were unhappy with the content within the books.
In front of over 1000 local residents, the Kanawha County School Board voted to approve the list of books that would be made available for teachers to use in their curriculums in the upcoming school year.
Many Conservative community members called on the community to protest the Liberal curriculum stating that their children should not be subjected to the outrageous teachings in the textbooks. These protests quickly became unruly and violent, many school buildings, school busses and homes of children still attending school were attacked with bombs, gunfire and even stoned.
Host and producer of the Podcast Us and Them, Trey Kay, spoke about the topic and his journey to find answers of why the issue was so important to the Conservative-Christians through his documentary “The Great Textbook War”.
According to Kay, the controversy came from the fact that local parents and community leaders, the Conservative-Christians, were not going to let outside influences choose the material for the curriculum their students would be learning.
“The textbook controversy was very important during its time because, I think, that it had a big impact on how it is that we in America chose what it is that we teach our students,” Kay said.
Kay said it is important to understand the culture wars on both side of the issue that sparked a national debate from West Virginia. “We live in a big world where there are a lot of people who hold views and values different than we do and we see it right now, everyday, in the culture wars,” Kay said. “I don’t know that this event is significant other than the fact it is just another example of how the culture wars have been playing out in this country.”
Assistant Vice President for IT: Online Learning & Libraries, Monica Brooks, spoke about the importance of bringing this subject to the attention of Marshall University Students.
“One of the reasons we bring programs like this to Marshall is so that we can broaden people’s perspectives and enlighten students who might not be exposed to this information other wise,”Brooks said.
Campus’ libraries provide all genres and level of controversial topics to students to ensure their need for their individual education and topics with in their major are being met and material is being adequately provided.
“We do not censor, we do add materials to the collection that some people might find offensive because they may be pertinent to support curriculum or research needs in a psychology class or a political science class or a health related class,” Brooks said.
AP teacher at Riverside High School, Steve Shamblin, spoke on his personal battle with the banned book issue in Kanawha County showing that even today many parents still have a problem with the material that is being taught in the current K-12 curriculum.
https://marshallparthenon.com/6149/news/banned-books-week-the-great-textbook-war-lecture/
Marshall, ACLU host discussion on Kanawha County 'textbook war'
By BISHOP NASH Oct 1, 2015
Marshall University Libraries and the American Civil Liberties Union of West Virginia observed Banned Books Week by opening one of the most controversial chapters in the Mountain State's history: The Kanawha County textbook protests of 1974.
Students and faculty listened to excerpts from Trey Kay's podcast, "Us & Them," and a panel discussion on civil liberties in public education during an open discussion Wednesday night in John Deaver Drinko Library at Marshall University.
"I would hope that anyone that listens to the podcast will have a commitment to the freedom to read," said Monica Brooks, Marshall University assistant vice president for information technology. "We believe very firmly that everyone should have access to information and use their critical thinking skills to make good decisions and hopefully be exposed to more than one viewpoint."
This is the second time Kay, whose podcast on West Virginia Public Broadcasting explores the impact of culture wars as they occur, has come to Marshall for this event, last visiting in 2013. The radio journalist, a Charleston native now living in New York, won a Peabody Award for his 2009 radio documentary "The Great Textbook War," unraveling a year of protests following the Kanawha County Board of Education's approval of two controversial language arts textbooks.
Although public education in America has been challenged since its creation, Kay said the Kanawha County incident sticks out due to its intense and violent nature.
"This has been going on a long time," Kay said. "The reason the Kanawha County textbook controversy is the most significant and remarkable is because it was the most violent of these controversies."
The two textbooks, America Reads and Language of Man, contained excerpts seen as immoral and counter to beliefs fostered in the community. Thousands of students were pulled from school, miners and laborers walked off the job in protest, school buses were attacked, and one elementary school was bombed during the riots.
Assuring not all protesters responded through violence, Kay said the Kanawha County textbook controversy was important to its time in other ways, citing an impact on how Americans choose what is taught to students. Local people, not exclusively those in academia, began to have a say in what is to be taught and which values of the community were to be reflected in education. Kay also pointed out that, in contrast to contemporary left-wing movements protesting the Vietnam War and in favor of Civil Rights, the makeup of the protestors in the "textbook war" was far more conservative.
Agreeing that both sides have valid points and seeking to generate empathy for opposing sides, Kay said culture wars shape America to the present day.
"Can we just tell people who are against Planned Parenthood to get over it? I don't think we can, because they're not going to," Kay said. "But there's got to be some type of way where we're going to have some respectful dialog with them.
"We live in a big world full of people who hold views and values different than we do," Kay said. "We see it every day in the culture wars."
Jennifer Meinig, executive director of the ACLU of West Virginia, and Steve Shamblin, an AP literature teacher at Riverside High School in Kanawha County, joined Kay on the panel discussion.
https://www.herald-dispatch.com/news/marshall-aclu-host-discussion-on-kanawha-county-textbook-war/article_b6c141f6-67f1-11e5-9e95-7727d5f14663.html
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Note from Karl: Transcript of my conversation with the liberal regarding Marshall University’s College of Education and Human Services and its Information Technology division hosted a two day symposium on the Textbook War on November 5 and 6, 2009.
The liberal said:
I don't think that the forums were slanted. You, apparently, see the struggle as a competition where a victor will emerge and I see it as a struggle that is as old as human history and neither side can be defeated or vanquished and that the only real solution is through dialogue that seeks common ground.
The events at Marshall and GW were what they were: talks and discussions about the textbook controversy. I can assure you that the protesters were not maligned or ridiculed at all. I thought that they were fine discussions that were less about winning the textbook or culture war and more about opening a dialogue for listening to the "other side" and figuring a way to work through tough philosophical differences. I thought that a great discussion followed.
My (edited) response:
If you think that the disagreement between the worldviews of protesters and pro-bookers can be solved by listening to the other side, you will always be frustrated by realities such as I used with the WVU vs. Pitt analogy in my op-ed “They Won.” The protesters have listened to what the pro-bookers want to do with schools-- and ultimately society--and we have resoundingly rejected it. I assume the pro-bookers feel the same about us. Both sides are out to win.
What you heard, and what someone from my point of view would have heard--likely differ. That is the point. Protesters (overwhelmingly conservative) view the world differently than pro-bookers (overwhelmingly liberal).
Besides that indisputable fact, there are some obvious factors that weigh heavily on any claims of an event to have fairly represented both sides. There is no way that including Jim Lewis would ever be perceived as anything but what it was—a platform for Lewis the liberal. For the record (as I have always stated) I do not personally dislike Lewis since I do not know him. He is probably a nice neighbor and a fine father, and he certainly does good works. However, I detest what Lewis advocates.
There is no discussion when only one side is truly represented. Of course, you (as a liberal) would be more satisfied with the slanted discussion than the fair and balanced forum held at the Culture Center. Lewis probably loved it.
So, respectfully, your concept of a fine discussion I would view as a faulty deduction.
You are correct to say this issue is as old as human history. However, there will be a victor between the diametrically opposed positions held by protesters and pro-bookers. It likely will not happen until Christ brings it all to an end. Until then, there can be no compromise between right and wrong, or more accurately—between good and evil (see Chapter 20). The pro-book side does not want dialogue unless they dominate it. In other words, pro-bookers speak and protesters listen. That is why the follow-up forums only included a token protester who was likely in awe of Lewis and the lime-light. As I proved during the evolutionism battles (http://insectman.us/testimony/resolution.htm), liberals are narrow-minded and dogmatic. Whenever liberals are ready to compromise their dogmatic beliefs (like pre-born babies are not human and are subject to slaughter, or anal intercourse is normal and healthy), let me know.
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Note from Karl : In September 2019 I began a strategy of exposing both Marshall and the Mainstream Media.
10 September 2019
From: Karl
To: parthenon@marshall.edu, penningto131@marshall.edu, larch15@marshall.edu, harding26@marshall.edu, ingram51@marshall.edu, crittenden2@marshall.edu
Challenge to Marshall University Student Journalists
Dear Parthenon Staff:
Congratulations on Marshall being “recognized as top-tier university in the U.S .”
I am going to expose you to a negative part of your university and challenge you to fix it.
In 2015 Marshall University Libraries and the American Civil Liberties Union had a sham program to observe “Banned Books Week.” The event was a vicious attack on a group of West Virginia citizens known as the Kanawha County Textbook Protesters. See “Marshall Exposed."
Will you, as journalists, investigate this matter and work to set it right?
Respectfully,
Karl Priest
Note from Karl: After finding the following, I emailed the contact person.
From September 22 to September 28, 2019, the Marshall University Libraries will be observing Banned Book Week with a display in the Drinko Library and an updated website. The theme this year is “Censorship Leaves Us in the Dark. Keep the Light On!”
Visit the website or stop by the display on the first floor of Drinko to see what has been challenged or banned over the past year. Contact Ron Titus at 696-6575 or library@marshall.edu with questions.
Banned Books Week (BBW) celebrates the freedom to choose and the freedom to express one’s opinion even if that opinion might be considered unorthodox or unpopular, stressing the importance of ensuring the availability of those viewpoints to all who wish to read them. It is sponsored by the American Booksellers Association, the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression, the American Library Association (ALA), the Association of American Publishers, the American Society of Journalists and Authors and the National Association of College Stores. It is endorsed by the Library of Congress’ Center for the Book.
Material for this page was obtained from the American Library Association’s Office of Intellectual Freedom and Field Report 2018: Banned &
Challenged Books by Robert P. Doyle.
ON THESE PAGES
A BANNED book has been removed from a library, classroom, etc.
A CHALLENGED book has been requested to be removed from a library, classroom, etc.
For additional information contact:
Ron Titus, titus@marshall.edu
http://www.marshall.edu/library/bannedbooks/
Note from Karl: Following is the email chain.
September 16, 2019
From: Karl
To: titus@marshall.edu
Dear Mr. Titus:
I see that Marshall University is ready to observe another Banned Book Week.
I thought you would be interested in the email below which was sent to the Parthenon staff.
Respectfully,
Karl Priest
September 17, 2019 11:12 AM
From: titus@marshall.edu
To: Karl
Karl,
Back in 2015, The ACLU and Marshall University Libraries did get together to bring Trey Kay to the MU campus to discuss the cultural upheaval known as the Great Textbook War that occurred in 1974 in Kanawha County, Trey Kay had produced an episode of his podcast Us & Them (May 1, 2015 - https://www.wvpublic.org/post/great-textbook-war-0). I was there and there was not a vicious attack on any person. If you listen to the podcast, you will find that Trey Kay seeks to provide a context to the events he covers in each episode. I remember reading newspaper accounts from the 1974 when I was in school, and the events were crazy. Feel free to contact me with any questions.
Ron Titus
Electronic Services Librarian
Note from Karl: The link is to Trey’s documentary that is a replay of his 2009 original production.
Chapter 10 of Protester Voices--The 1974 Textbook Tea Party is devoted to the program.
September 17, 2019 3:15 PM
From: Karl
To: titus@marshall.edu
Ron:
If you look at “Marshall Exposed" you will see that there was another incident where MU addressed this historic incident. Please take a close look at what Avis Hill had to say about the first event.
Trey Kay is the closest to objective I have found in the media. However, he is not totally objective and I have told him that. He is receiving a copy of this email.
What would Marshall like to do in order to remedy the slanted slurs against fine citizens of West Virginia known as the Kanawha County Textbook Protesters?
Respectfully,
Karl
September 17, 2019 5:25 PM
From: Trey Kay
To: Karl (cc: titus@marshall.edu)
Karl,
Thank you for including me on this email chain.
I’m very grateful that Marshall University has invited me to their campus on several occasions to talk about my research and reporting on the 1974 Kanawha County textbook controversy. I hope that they’ll consider having me back to speak about other topics.
The events that I’ve participated in at Marshall have been very similar to a couple dozen talks I’ve given at gatherings throughout West Virginia and the nation. You’ve attended several of these events and have written about my remarks in your book and on your blog. It’s been a while since I’ve reviewed any of your writing about me, but don’t recall you ever characterizing my views or remarks about the Kanawha textbook protesters as a “vicious attack.” Perhaps your opinion of my perspective has changed. Whatever the case, it has never been my intention to malign the Kanawha book protesters. I’m clear you believe the protesters have been maligned by the mainstream news media and that you’re very passionate about protecting the protesters legacy. I respect that. But let me be clear, I reject your assertion that the events that I participated in at Marshall -- or any other place -- could be described as a “vicious attack.“ As you know, I consider many of the former protesters to be very close personal friends. I vehemently disagree with many of them on a wide range of issues -- just like I frequently disagree with you. Even though I do not share their (or your) world view, I speak of them (and you) respectfully and resist urges to engage in hyperbole when describing their views or actions. I’d appreciate it if you’d extend me the same courtesy.
Best wishes to you and your family as we move into the fall.
Warm regards,
Trey Kay
September 17, 2019 8:09 PM
From: Karl
To: Trey Kay (cc: titus@marshall.edu)
Trey:
You participated in the 2015 event that was a vicious attack on the Protesters. The statement, “The protest sparked the banning of books throughout the entire United States.” was not made by you (as far as I know), but it is a slur that is indisputably VICIOUS.
Avis aptly summed up how you handled the 2009 event at Marshall.
I declare the Marshall involvement in the two events as hypocritical.
If you dispute that, please tell me why.
Thank you.
Karl
September 17, 2019
From: Karl
To: titus@marshall.edu
Ron:
You said, "I remember reading newspaper accounts from the 1974 when I was in school, and the events were crazy." You should realize that most newspaper accounts were fake or slanted news.
You can see for yourself by viewing the protesters in action.
Also, I have documented how the book Protester Voices--The 1974 Textbook Tea Party has been stealthily banned.
Also, there is ample documentation of the sloppy reporting and academic papers done about this major historical event for West Virginia and the nation.
The links provided will help answer the question: What would Marshall like to do in order to remedy the slanted slurs against fine citizens of West Virginia known as the Kanawha County Textbook Protesters?
Respectfully,
Karl
Note from Karl: I showed up unannounced at the Marshall University John Deaver Drinko Library and spoke to Dr. Monica Books and Mr. Ron Titus separately. When I told Dr. Brooks that I was going to picket, she said she would inform campus police to protect my free speech.
Sep 23, 2019 9:12 pm
From: Karl
To: monica.brooks@marshall.edu and titus@marshall.edu
Dear Dr. Brooks and Mr. Titus:
It was a pleasure to meet you both this morning.
It is good that Marshall obtained my book late last month. Please encourage students to read it. Also, I will be happy to speak to history (or other) classes.
What you saw me do in the Drinko Library lobby is what you would have seen if you observed 99.999% of the Kanawha County Textbook Protesters in 1974-75. The pictures below are perfect examples. Look in my book at more photos after page 216.
There may have been some folks who were yelled at by people who claimed to be Protesters, but it is a matter of their word and recall. As you can see for yourself in videos of the event, the truth is not what has been perpetuated for 45 years. Please start with Textbook War Video I.
Below the photos, I have placed the "Make it Right, Marshall" paper that I presented to you. Links to documented facts to support my claims are in that paper.
Now, I hope Marshall will have the courage to make right what the biased media and academicians have done to thousands of fine West Virginians. Many of them are dead. It would be wonderful if their children and grandchildren could feel pride (instead of shame due to the propaganda) for what their forefathers did in the major historical event known as the Kanawha County Textbook Protest.
Shine the light, Marshall!
Sincerely,
Karl
MAKE IT RIGHT, MARSHALL!
The theme for the 2019 Banned Books Week is “Censorship Leaves Us in the Dark-Keep the Light On.” It is time to shine a light on censors from the left.
Are those who promote Banned Books Week truly concerned with protecting free speech, or is Banned Books Week just a ploy for the left to push their control over what is readily available for the public to read?
The Marshall website says, “Banned Books Week celebrates the freedom to choose and the freedom to express one’s opinion even if that opinion might be considered unorthodox or unpopular, stressing the importance of ensuring the availability of those viewpoints to all who wish to read them.”
Karl Priest wants to point out that censorship is done by the left.
Karl Priest was there, in 1974-1975 when a major national historical event occurred in West Virginia known as The Kanawha County Textbook Controversy. Facts about that event, that do not fit the left’s view, have been censored for 45 years.
In 2015, Marshall University Libraries had a program to observe Banned Books Week. The theme was The Kanawha County Textbook Controversy. A similar program was done in 2009. The events continued the slanted news and poor academics maintained by the left for 45 years.
A reporter for the student newspaper, The Parthenon, reported (2015) that “The protest sparked the banning of books throughout the entire United States.” and, “These protests quickly became unruly and violent, many school buildings, school busses and homes of children still attending school were attacked with bombs, gunfire and even stoned.” The student perpetuated the left’s propaganda.
A Marshall University library official (2015) stated, “One of the reasons we bring programs like this to Marshall is so that we can broaden people’s perspectives and enlighten students who might not be exposed to this information other wise.” The panel discussion did not include anyone from the protester side.
Karl Priest has documented many reasons why his book, Protester Voices-The 1974 Textbook Tea Party, should qualify as a banned book. See http://www.insectman.us/testimony/banned-book.htm.
This year makes 45 years that a large group of wonderful West Virginians have been defamed. See http://www.insectman.us/testimony/textbook-protester-truth/the-facts.htm for proof that the Kanawha County textbook protesters were NOT NARROW-MINDED, NOT IGNORANT, NOT RELIGIOUS FANATICS, NOT CENSORS, NOT VIOLENT, and NOT RACIST.
Karl Priest wants a light to be shined on the truth of the The Kanawha County Textbook Controversy and calls for Marshall University to hold that light.
-----------------
Karl Priest is a retired teacher and principal who now serves as the West Virginia coordinator for Exodus Mandate (http://www.insectman.us/exodus-mandate-wv/index.htm).
Karl Priest may be reached at kcpriest@aol.com
Note from Karl:
Marshall University has a great opportunity to confront the biased research and reporting that has been rampant since 1974. If it does, I will post a report here.
I offered Mainstream Media a chance to cover this newsworthy event.
Along with the links provided to the library staff, West Virginia School News proves that the Kanawha County Textbook Protesters were RIGHT!
On October 7, 2019 I emailed Dr. Brooks and asked where Marshall got a copy of my book. She did not reply. Marshall did not get the book from me. Perhaps there is a dark cave where banned conservative/Christian books are kept.
A friend
(David Bump)
said it well: “There are many, many more books being published than a local library can hold, yet certain books that would otherwise be hard to find, or appeal to a very small number of people, while being offensive to many, are sure to be there, while on the other hand, even if you look at the entire library system you will find certain materials, very popular with many people but supposedly offensive to some, are totally absent. Furthermore, books with X-rated (NC-17?) material are left in the children's sections despite parental objections, and parents who do object are attacked as being "book banners." Nothing like making up straw men and waving them around once a year to keep people from seeing who the true book banners are.”
Banned books week is a sham. See the bottom of the report on my “Banned Book.”
Before arriving at Marshall I appeared on the Tom Roten Show.
TEXTBOOK WAR HOME
