Toowoomba councillor Tim McMahon calls for children’s access books about race, gender to be blocked

The author of one of the books that a Toowoomba councillor wants removed from library shelves has now responded to the controversy.

Ibrim X Kendi, the author of a kids book that TRC councilor Tim McMahon wants removed from the children’s section of the Toowoomba Library, said his book was written for both kids and the parents to enjoy and learn from.

The book in question, Antiracist Baby, prompts parents and children to think about assumptions they have about race and the language they use when talking about it.

On Monday, Tim McMahon took to social media claiming Kendi’s book along with Devika Dalal’s ABC of Gender Identity were books that public money should not be spent on.

“I will be calling for a review that these and other similar books to be taken from our shelves,” he wrote.

“I believe we should let our children be children, not be indoctrinated by warped thought (originally posted as far leftist, warped thought).

“Both were found in the area that very young children have access to — I don’t believe our residents’ rates and taxes should fund this.”

Kendi said the book was about kindness.

“Just like it is never too young to teach kids to be kind, it is never too late for you to talk to kids about valuing different looking people equally,” he said.

“Antiracist Baby teaches young people to recognize the equality of racial groups.

“What’s wrong with that? The only people who have an issue with that are people who want our kids to believe in racial hierarchy.”

Cr McMahon’s call to remove the books was met with overwhelming criticism and he quickly backtracked.

“I don’t think it’s up to you to censor the books parents decide to read to their children,” Hannah Strong wrote.

“Please do not take these books away from those who need them. You might want to update your ideas about social inclusion and identity,” Kate Nelle added.

When asked about the statement, Mr McMahon told The Chronicle he wasn’t advocating for them to be removed, but rather for them to be moved to an “age-appropriate section”.

“My position is we need to look at where our books are being given to age-appropriate readers — I don’t think we’ve got it right,” he said.

“My post was concerning that this is where our youngest readers are reading the books — they might be suited for older people.”

When asked about whether his call for a review was an overreach from council, Mr McMahon said he felt a review was part of a councillor’s strategic role.

ACADEMIC REACTS TO COUNCILLOR’S POST

Lecturer in pathways at the University of Southern Queensland Dr Geoff Parkes, who has a particular research focus in representations of the self and sexuality, said he found the language and implication of Mr McMahon’s post “concerning”.

“The children’s space in the library should be a safe space for everyone — that should be regardless of gender or race and that is affected here,” he said.

“He says it’s based on material submitted for review of the library, so this feels like it’s part of a targeted campaign.

“Based on research, these campaigns have been popping up in the United States and it is a real concern.”

USQ lecturer Geoffrey Parkes. Photo Contributed

Dr Parkes also pointed out the books are not for children to read and fully comprehend, but rather as conduit for parents to explain key social issues with their kids.

“The textbooks are actually targeted at the parents, not the kids — I looked at both,” he said.

“The idea is they are borrowed with their family and parents are reading those books to children.

“Children at the age of five would not be able to comprehend.

“They’re meant for what conservative people in society argue for – which is that the ideas of social importance be discussed by parents with their children.”

Dr Parkes said all children’s books used some form of ideological framework.

“Books that teach children to read are ideological – it encourages literacy that allows children to function in society – it’s indoctrination of a social value,” he said.

“There’s clearly a particular area of social ideology that the councillor isn’t happy with.

“We have to ask who decides this, and we have professional, trained librarians who can present a wide range of books and I’m sure the library already has a vast collection of them.”

TRC CEO Brian Pidgeon. Picture: Kevin Farmer

COUNCIL CEO SAYS LIBRARIES ARE ‘OPERATIONAL MATTER’

Toowoomba Regional Council CEO Brian Pidgeon said the council’s library service provided an “unbiased source of recorded knowledge and does not initiate censorship of any material”.

“Selection of library materials is not based on personal, moral, political, social or ideological views,” he said.

“Library material will not be rejected or removed from the library solely on the basis of doctrinal or ideological disapproval, or because of concerns that children may access library material intended for use by adults.

“Parents or guardians are responsible for the suitability of materials viewed in the library or borrowed by children.”

COUNCIL COLLEAGUES RESPOND TO POST

Some of Mr McMahon’s council colleagues have responded to the post, with one noting she couldn’t wait to have it brought to the chamber.

All elected members who were asked about the post noted they could be precluded from any debate on a potential motion if they voiced their views on it.

All were contacted for comment.

Mayor Paul Antonio: All our councillors are passionate in their support for our region and the way they believe they can best represent their community. In doing this, Councillors are entitled to express their individual opinions and views on their own social media accounts.

Councillor McMahon is within his rights to raise the matter at an Ordinary Meeting of Council for consideration. Any change to current policies would require a decision by the majority of Councillors at the meeting.

Deputy Mayor Geoff McDonald: Cr McMahon calling for a review suggests there’s a desire for council to make a decision on an operational matter. My personal opinion, I’m a great believer in a freedom of speech, but if this is an opinion that is subject to a council decision, that can cause an issue for that councillor.

Kerry Shine: I think while I do have a view on that subject matter, I prefer not to expand on it right now. 

Megan O’Hara Sullivan: I have sent a message to Tim saying I personally don’t agree with his views in any way, shape or form. He can have his personal opinions, but how that affects council business is a different matter.

Rebecca Vonhoff: I cannot wait for this to come to council so it can be debated and voted on.

James O’Shea: I support the decisions that are made in our library staff – they’re experts in what they do.

Bill Cahill: My personal view is I just think the whole notion of setting council agendas on social media is highly inappropriate. This isn’t a small business, it’s a big entity. It’s not the appropriate way to highlight matters for a boardroom to discuss.

Carol Taylor: As our CEO has said, it is an operational matter. I’m not sure it’s our place to censor what people read and parents are always responsible for what their children consume.

Melissa Taylor: Melissa Taylor was contacted for comment.

Nancy Sommerfield: Nancy Sommerfield was contacted for comment.

Originally published as Toowoomba councillor Tim McMahon calls for children’s access books about race, gender to be blocked