By IVEY DeJESUS

pennlive.com

(TNS) — A Republican lawmaker has apologized to the mother of a 12-year-old Schuylkill County girl for an inappropriate question about pornography at a school civics event.

In an email to PennLive, Sen. David Argall on Thursday apologized to the student’s mother, Erin Anderson, who took him to task for what she said was a misuse of power and inappropriate questioning directed at her daughter during Wednesday night’s Civics Bee at Penn State Schuylkill.

The Schuylkill County Republican, who served as a judge, confronted Anderson’s daughter, Mary, after she finished her essay presentation on the dangers book bans — particularly the removal of books with diverse viewpoints or characters from marginalized communities.

“Senator Argall asked Mary, ‘Do you think we should allow pornographic magazines in Kindergarten classrooms?‘,” Anderson said. “Mary looked confused and had to ask, ‘What does that mean?’ Instead of rephrasing or redirecting the question, the senator explained to her, in front of the entire audience, that it meant ‘naked pictures of people in books and magazines.’” Anderson said that Argall didn’t appear angry, but he seemed to be trying to make a rhetorical point that had nothing to do with her daughter’s essay.

“It felt like an attempt to undermine or discredit the ideas she had just presented — at the expense of a 12-year-old child on stage,” Anderson said.

The students participating in the Civics Bee were all middle schoolers in grades 6 through 8 from several different school districts throughout the county. The event as part of the National Civics Bee, sponsored locally by the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce.

In an email to PennLive, Argall apologized for his actions: “During last night’s local round of the National Civics Bee, I posed a question as a volunteer judge to a participant that was not age-appropriate for this setting. I apologize to the young lady, her family, and all the participants who worked hard to get to this point, with excellent presentations by the students who submitted entries on book bans and many other important subjects.”

He then defended himself: “I was attempting to ask if some books and magazines are not appropriate for some age groups, a subject which has received considerable attention in the General Assembly in recent years. In hindsight, my obvious mistake was in citing an example that was itself not appropriate for this age group, a mistake which I will not make again.”

Anderson said her daughter had made the point that book bans violate the principles of equality and respect.

“She wrote about how banning books silences voices and prevents students from learning about people different from themselves,” Anderson said. “She offered age-appropriate civic actions like writing letters, partnering with librarians, and meeting with local leaders to raise awareness and protect access to literature in public and school libraries. Most of which she didn’t get the chance to discuss.”

Anderson said she was “in complete shock” at Argall’s exchange with her daughter.

“I was sitting with my husband, our younger daughter, and Mary’s grandmother, and we all looked at each other in disbelief,” she said. “I couldn’t believe that a state senator would ask that kind of question to a child in a public setting. It was not only off-topic, but deeply inappropriate. Mary didn’t even know what the word meant and had to ask, which made it even more upsetting when he chose to explain it instead of pivoting.”

Anderson said that the audience reaction to Argall’s line of questioning was noticeable and swift.

“The room was a mixture of gasps, yells, and you could hear some surprised gasps,” she said. “People were clearly uncomfortable, but no one interrupted. I think many were stunned and unsure of how to respond in real time. She received boisterous cheers after her responses, as people were clearly on her side. The other children also did an amazing job. I am very proud of all of the contestants and their strong ideas.”

Anderson said she approached Argall after the event, and he defended his stance. She said the lawmaker said “the topics were one and the same, when clearly they are not.”

Argall did not apologize at the time, she said, but asked if his office could publish their essays. Anderson, who is a constiuent of Argall’s, gave her permission as long as his office left out the mention of pornography.

“I let him know I was very displeased that this was said to not only my 12-year-old, but that I also would have to explain this to my nine year old now as well,” Anderson said.

She said his actions amounted to a misuse of power.

“Senator Argall should know the law — it is already illegal to expose children to pornography, and it has nothing to do with the nuanced, thoughtful points Mary was making about censorship and representation,” Anderson said. “I believe he owes the students, families, and organizers an apology.”

She added that she believed Argall should step down.

“If a public official cannot exercise good judgment and basic appropriateness when speaking to children, especially in a civic education setting, then it raises serious concerns about their ability to serve,” Anderson said.

In recent years, Pennsylvania has ranked high among states that attempt to limit access to certain books. Book bans in schools and public libraries have surged in recent years due to efforts from conservative organizations, such as the Pennsylvania Family Institute, to limit access to materials they deem inappropriate.