Parents in New York are enraged about a new book being provided to underage children at the school library. The book, which includes a “queer” main character, heroizes Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the Congresswoman for Queens and the Bronx while mocking one of today’s most powerful Republicans, Mitch McConnell. The controversial novel is entitled What You Don’t Know: A Story of Liberated Childhood and has been freely distributed throughout the New York public school system so that minors may learn about a hero who belongs to the LGBTQ community.
The New York City Department of Education is using the book in its Universal Mosaic individual reading curriculum. Anastasia Higginbotham, a Brooklynite, wrote the book. The title refers to Demetrius, a Black “gay sixth-grader” who has not yet come out of the closet and is a protagonist.
The story follows Demetrius as he grows up and tries to find a balance between school, church, and family time at home. In the book, he feels comfortable with his mother at home but not in church, which is a place where members of the LGBTQ community are often subjected to harsh treatment.
In her opinion, the title is a “horrible book” because it is anti-Catholic and combines the intricacies of church and state for student readers.
Demetrius makes a pilgrimage to the church where he feels ashamed of being a gay boy while reading the book. His soul leaves his body, and he has an enlightening talk with Jesus Christ, who confirms that God loves everyone, even if they are part of the LGBTQ community.
“Churches can preach all they want about love – the only thing that I feel when I’m here is shame.”
When the Black gay sixth-grader meets Jesus, he asks him if he “knows what’s happening down there?” and if it “hurts your feelings if I don’t believe in you?”
Jesus replies, “It is my job to believe in you, and I do.”
That’s when the primary character asks Jesus, “So we’re cool?”
Jesus responded, “Always.”
The book addresses pressing issues that confront the United States today. In one passage of the book, Billy Porter is depicted in a black gown, to which Demetrius asks if Jesus loves him as well.
“Especially him! Love the dress, Billy!” Jesus said.
Then a guy who looks exactly like Mitch McConnell appears, and he asks, “Even…?”
Jesus replies,” Yes.”
Both men stated that the vicious Higginbotham was inspired by a real-life politician.
“That’s Mitch McConnell. And the child wants to know if even Mitch McConnell is invited to love and be loved considering all the harm he is causing,” she said.
The members of the Squad, including Representatives Rashida Tlaib, Ilhan Omar, and Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, are all mentioned in the sequel. Then the narrator adds, “We will rewrite the rules we live by and love the world into balance,” suggesting that progressive politicians will continue to alter for good.
