Heated debate over “book banning” takes over school board meeting

By Caroline Brauchler caroline@ocalagazette.com

The audience came in by the busload for Tuesday’s Marion County School Board meeting with one topic in mind for discussion: the content of books in school libraries.

Thirty-seven speakers addressed the board to either oppose the banning of books in the district’s libraries, what many called censorship, or support the removal of what some deemed “pornographic” books from schools.

The discussion stemmed from comments made by Gov. Ron DeSantis earlier this month. During a press conference on March 8, DeSantis sought to debunk what he said was a “hoax’’ that books were being banned in public schools. He said libraries were not being emptied; only books containing pornographic, violent or inappropriate content would be removed.

DeSantis mentioned Marion County as one of the school districts with a book called “Flamer” available to students. “Flamer” and another book mentioned by the governor, “This Book is Gay,” have already been removed from all MCPS media centers and libraries, according to the libraries’ “objections” list.

“Flamer” tells the story of a 14-year-old gay Filipino boy at summer camp navigating self-acceptance and bullying. “Flamer” has been removed from shelves based on the claim that it is inappropriate and pornographic, with references to masturbation and genitals.

Superintendent Diane Gullett stated at the beginning of the meeting that the district’s libraries follow state law and school board policy regarding content and that parents and families may search library catalogs, read policies, restrict titles from their children and object to library materials if they see fit.

The process to challenge library materials or to restrict the content that one’s child may read can be found on the MCPS Library Media

‘American Idol’ contestant Cam Amen took care of his younger siblings in Ocala before making it onto the hit ABC series.

By Julie Garisto julie@magnoliamediaco.com

Cam Amen nervously walked onto an “American Idol” audition set in New Orleans last Sunday night and walked off, quite possibly, a new star on the rise.

With sweaty palms, singing through tears, the former Ocala resident managed to give a soul-stirring performance of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” during “Audition, Episode 605” of the ABC talent competition series.

“I had been already trying to audition and get on for about eight years,” Amen told the “Gazette.” “Through that time, I used to practice and get better, and just last year is when I said that I was going to start saying yes to every opportunity.”

Program website. Gullett ensured the audience that the district is in compliance with House Bill 1467, saying that all school media specialists involved in the selection of library materials have completed an online training program. The See Pornography?, page A2

Celebrity judges Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan were visibly moved throughout Amen’s performance, reacting with surprise to his high notes and emotive inflections. They gave a standing ovation and even embraced the contestant. The trio unanimously said “yes,” promoting Amen to another round.

Born Cameron Osterloh, Amen, now 27, grew up in Indianapolis and adopted his surname from his girlfriend Erica Amen, who joined him on the set of his successful audition. The couple met while he worked at World of Beer in The Villages, and she was celebrating her birthday on a Florida vacation. They now live together in Omaha.

“I was working, and they had karaoke, and she challenged me to get up there and sing,” Amen recalled. “She didn’t know that I was the guy that always sings on karaoke nights.”

Letting his emotions pour out with a raw but measured vibrato, Amen soulfully hit the high notes before the judges and his dynamic range revealed a gentle beauty and grace complemented by a weathered, blues-like maturity. The tune was a favorite of his late

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