An Idaho high school student protested her school’s book ban by presenting 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 Fine Arts Academy commencement 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 its shelves in December, according to Idaho EdNews.
Jenkins posted a TikTok, which has since been viewed millions of times, showing the moment she defiantly handed Bub the book.
“I just realized I didn’t want to walk across that stage to get my diploma and shake the superintendent’s hand. I just didn’t want to do that,” Jenkins said KTVB.
Annabelle Jenkins presented West Ada Superintendent Derek Bub with a graphic novel adaptation of “The Handmaid’s Tale” during the Idaho Fine Arts Academy commencement on May 23
Jenkins posted a TikTok, which has since been viewed millions of times, showing the moment she defiantly handed Bub the book
‘I went upstairs and got the book. I actually showed it to the audience very quickly. He crossed his arms like that and he wouldn’t bear it.”
Wearing a maroon cap and gown, Jenkins walked across the stage shaking everyone’s hands for Bub, grabbing a copy of the book as she approached him.
Bub started to extend his hand, but when he saw the graphic novel, he held his hand down and refused to take it. Finally, Jenkins placed the book at Bub’s feet and left the stage.
Jenkins said her protest came out of frustration with the book ban and because she didn’t feel like students had a say in it.
“I don’t like being the center of attention or doing things just to provoke a reaction.” So when I do things, I want it to be very purposeful. I want people to know that this is something very, very important to me,” Jenkins said.
“My goal was never to disrupt or ruin the ceremony. And I honestly don’t think I did that. I mean, at the end of the day, I think this was my time on stage and this was my moment and it was something that was important for me to do.”
Wearing a maroon cap and gown, Jenkins walked across the stage shaking everyone’s hands in front of Bub, grabbing a copy of the book as she approached him.
Bub started to reach out his hand, but when he saw the graphic novel but held his hand down and refused to take it, she laid it at his feet
The West Ada School District told the newspaper Idaho Statesman that Jenkins’ gesture “unfortunately overshadowed the festive occasion.”
“While we respect the right to raise 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 Governor Brad Little signed a bill requiring schools and public libraries to move material deemed “harmful to minors” to an adult section or face lawsuits.
The bill is similar to the one Little vetoed last year. If a community member complains that a book is harmful to minors, the library has 60 days to address it. Children or their parents can sue the facility for $250 in damages. The new law uses Idaho’s current definition of “obscene material,” which includes any form of homosexuality.
In a letter to the Legislature, Little said he shares a desire to “keep truly inappropriate library materials out of the hands of minors” but said he was disappointed that lawmakers did not do more to protect children from “the harms of social media’.
Jenkins said her protest came out of frustration with the book ban and because she didn’t feel like students had a say in it
The Idaho Library Association warned that the law has 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 selected the ten books from a list of 44 titles based on reviews 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, chief academic officer, director of curriculum, two secondary principals and a secondary English teacher.
Several librarians were invited to participate in the review, but “they all opted out and declined to participate in the process,” Scheppers said.
The other removed books include “A Stolen Life” by Jaycee Dugard, “Water for Elephants” by Sarah Gruen, two books by Sarah J. Maas and two by Rupi Kaur.