Palestinian-American author calls out WA school for cancelling book event

Bellevue School District canceled Safa Suleiman's book-reading event at Ardmore Elementary, claiming a blog post about her family's death in Israeli airstrikes could disrupt the learning environment. The district had previously expressed enthusiasm for the event, aligning it with Arab American Heritage Month, and had purchased multiple copies of her book, "Hilwa's Gifts," for the library. Suleiman expressed her shock at the cancellation, describing it as hurtful and cruel, and felt it reflected a double standard in how her work is perceived. She highlighted that her children's book promotes joy and love, contrasting the district's concerns about the blog post. Despite the setback, Suleiman continued her readings, recently participating in an event organized by the Council on American-Islamic Relations in Bellevue.

She articulated that the district's decision has a chilling effect on First Amendment rights and the liberties of writers to express their truths. The district maintained their stance, prioritizing a safe learning environment for all students. Suleiman continues to advocate for her right to share her experiences and stories with young audiences.