An Idaho high school student protested her school’s book ban and presented the superintendent with a copy of ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ during her graduation ceremony.
Annabelle Jenkins gave West Ada Superintendent Derek Bub a graphic novel adaptation of the famous book during the Idaho Academy of Fine Arts graduation ceremony on May 23, but he refused to accept it.
‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ is one of 10 books the West Ada school district pulled from shelves in December, according to Idaho EdNews.
Jenkins posted a TikTok, which has since garnered millions of views, showing the moment he defiantly handed the book to Bub.
‘I realized I didn’t want to walk across that stage, receive my diploma and shake the superintendent’s hand. I just didn’t want to do that,” Jenkins said. KTVB.
Annabelle Jenkins gave West Ada Superintendent Derek Bub a graphic novel adaptation of ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ during the Idaho Academy of Fine Arts graduation on May 23.
Jenkins posted a TikTok, which has since garnered millions of views, showing the moment he defiantly handed the book to Bub.
‘I went up there and took out the book. I showed it to the audience very quickly. She crossed her arms like that and didn’t want to take it.
Wearing a maroon cap and gown, Jenkins walked across the stage shaking hands with everyone present before Bub and then pulled out a copy of the book as she approached him.
Bub began to extend his hand, but when he saw the graphic novel he lowered his hand and refused to accept it. In the end, Jenkins placed the book at Bub’s feet and walked off stage.
Jenkins said his protest stemmed from frustration over the book ban and that he didn’t feel like students had a say in the matter.
‘I don’t like being the center of attention or doing things just to get a reaction. So when I make things, I want them to have a purpose. “I want people to know that this is something very, very important to me,” Jenkins said.
‘My goal was never to disrupt or spoil the ceremony. And I really don’t think I did. I mean, at the end of the day, I think that was my moment on stage and that was my moment and that was something that was important for me to do.
Wearing a maroon cap and gown, Jenkins walked across the stage shaking hands with everyone in front of Bub and then pulled out a copy of the book as she approached him.
Bub began to extend her hand, but when she saw the graphic novel, but his hand lowered and he refused to accept it, she placed it at his feet.
The West Ada School District told the Idaho Statesman that Jenkins’ gesture “unfortunately overshadowed the celebratory occasion.”
“While we respect the right to express our concerns, it is important to keep the focus on the achievements and hard work of our students during such important milestones,” said spokesperson Niki Scheppers.
In April, Republican Gov. Brad Little signed a bill that will require school and public libraries to move material deemed “harmful to minors” to an adults-only section or face lawsuits.
The bill is similar to one vetoed by Little last year. If a community member complains that a book is harmful to minors, the library has 60 days to address it or the children or their parents can sue the facility for $250 in damages. The new law uses Idaho’s current definition of “obscene materials,” which includes any act of homosexuality.
In a letter to the Legislature, Little said he shares the desire to keep “truly inappropriate library materials out of the reach of minors,” but said he was disappointed that lawmakers didn’t do more to protect children from “the harms of social networks”.
Jenkins said his protest stemmed from frustration over the book ban and that he didn’t feel like students had a say in the matter.
The Idaho Library Association warned that the law uses vague and subjective definitions of what constitutes material harmful to minors and said it could result in significantly limited access to information for the public.
The West Ada School District pulled the 10 books from a list of 44 titles based on ratings from BookLooks.org, a website created by “concerned parents” in Brevard County, Florida.
The books were reviewed by a committee consisting of the district library coordinator, academic director, curriculum director, two high school principals, and a high school English teacher.
Several librarians were invited to participate in the review, but “they all chose not to participate in the process,” Scheppers said.
The other books removed include ‘A Stolen Life’ by Jaycee Dugard, ‘Water for Elephants’ by Sarah Gruen, two books by Sarah J. Maas and two by Rupi Kaur.
