Should parents and other interested citizens censor textbooks and other literature for children in schools?

Short answer, NO!

I think we tread dangerous waters when we begin censoring anything. Textbooks and books in general are speech and freedom of speech is protected in our Country.

If we censor, who does the censoring? Who determines what is "o.k."? It is a recipe for silencing opposition, imposing particular religious beliefs, and limiting expression. Many great works have at one time been censored including: The Catcher in the Rye, A Clockwork Orange, The Color Purple, The Grapes of Wrath, and others. These are considered by many people as some of the greatest works ever written. We shouldn't be afraid of ideas even if we disagree with them or how they are expressed.

For textbooks the only goal should be that they are factually accurate as determined by the experts in the subject discussed. Whether or not these facts support or work against your personal beliefs. The content should not be determined by those with ulterior motives.

Right now textbooks are being re-written with more of a conservative political slant to appease the state of Texas who is one of the largest purchasers of textbooks. They are downplaying the civil rights movement and playing Reagon's time as President. This is a dangerous thing because these textbooks are used by many states but because of the clout that Texas has, they are being skewed towards a political bent.

We must be ever vigilant of efforts to ban or censor books. What are we afraid of? The more educated we are and the more exposed we are to viewpoints different than our own, the more knowledgable we will be.