When the Rapid City School District determined that five books in the curriculum should be set “to be destroyed,” they likely did not anticipate that they would become the subject of a documentary, let alone make the national news.
The books in question—How Beautiful We Were by Imbolo Mbue, Fun Home by Alison Bechdel, The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky, Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo, and The Circle by Dave Eggers—were removed from both classrooms and libraries at the beginning of the school year. More than one work was flagged for either featuring LGBT characters or scenes involving sexual content.
Directed by Arthur Bradford, To Be Destroyed features both sides of the debate but primarily focuses on those who oppose removing the books from the district. After learning his book was made inaccessible to students, Eggers traveled to the South Dakota community and partnered with a local bookstore to give away free copies of the five banned books. Eggers, who says that many of his close friends and family are teachers, also hosted an event for students and teachers to voice their concerns.
Multiple students, in addition to opposing the school’s censorship, noted that the banned books were a part of a longer list that students could choose from and that they were not being “forced” to read those specific works. Others spoke about feeling seen and how they wanted others to be able to have the same experience.
At the end of the day, Rapid City teachers argue that they are trying to provide students with the best possible education given the rigid standards they must adhere to. “I don’t have time to indoctrinate kids,” says Sean Bradley, an English teacher at Stevens High School. “If I were capable of doing that, every kid would turn in homework on time, and they’d wear deodorant on a daily basis.”
To Be Destroyed ends with a passage from The Perks of Being a Wallflower in which the narrator tells the reader that they are not alone and that what they are going through “deserves to be seen, spoken of, and understood.” The short film not only emphasizes the importance of choice and community, but also the danger in shielding students against mature themes while simultaneously preparing them for the “real world.” Heartwarming and continuously topical, anyone with half a heart will be inspired by the passion shown in To Be Destroyed.
How can To Be Destroyed be integrated into public libraries’ collection development?
Public libraries could include To Be Destroyed in their collections as part of their efforts to address book censorship and intellectual freedom. The documentary provides a balanced exploration of the controversy surrounding banned books, which aligns with public libraries’ mission to foster access to diverse perspectives. It would complement resources on freedom of speech, education, and social justice, appealing to patrons interested in current societal issues and the importance of literary choice.
What college courses and majors could benefit from using To Be Destroyed?
To Be Destroyed could be highly relevant for:
- Education courses examining curriculum development and the challenges of censorship in schools.
- English and Literature classes discussing the significance of banned books and their impact on readers.
- Sociology and Cultural Studies courses exploring debates around moral panics, representation, and community values.
- Media Studies programs analyzing how controversies are framed and documented in media.
How could Parks and Recreation programs use To Be Destroyed in their educational initiatives?
Parks and Recreation programs often serve as hubs for community engagement and education. To Be Destroyed could be screened as part of events promoting intellectual freedom, such as Banned Books Week or literacy advocacy campaigns. Community discussions or Q&A sessions with educators, librarians, or local authors could further enrich these events.
What are the Public Performance Rights (PPR) considerations for screening To Be Destroyed?
Institutions planning public screenings, such as libraries, schools, or Parks and Recreation departments, need to ensure they acquire PPR for To Be Destroyed. The price is $630.00. These rights allow legal screenings for community audiences while supporting the creators and distributors of the film.
How could To Be Destroyed enhance special events on college campuses?
To Be Destroyed would be an impactful feature for:
- Events like Banned Books Week or Freedom to Read celebrations.
- Panel discussions featuring educators, students, and authors on censorship and representation.
- Workshops for aspiring teachers or librarians to discuss challenges in providing inclusive educational materials.
- Its emotional and topical content makes it a strong conversation starter about the broader implications of limiting access to diverse narratives.
Why is To Be Destroyed a strong candidate for movie licensing?
The documentary’s focus on the universal themes of choice, representation, and education gives it wide appeal for educational and community organizations. Licensing To Be Destroyed would allow schools, libraries, and public venues to use the film as a teaching tool, starting dialogue on the cultural and societal implications of censorship while fostering community engagement.
Director's Bio
Arthur Bradford is an Emmy-nominated filmmaker, director of 6 Days to Air, How’s Your News?, and the forthcoming Saving Casa Bonita (wt). He is also the author of two books, Dogwalker (Knopf) and Turtleface (FSG). He first met Dave Eggers in the late 1990s after publishing stories in his journal, McSweeney’s. Arthur founded Sweet Relief Productions with producer Jen Ollman in 2012.