I’m With the Banned

society, culture · EN

On this episode, Jarrett is joined by Randi Pink, author of 5 YA books, including Angel of Greenwood, a beautiful historical fiction novel suffused with warmth, elegance, and fire about two Black teenagers falling in love in the days that lead up to the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921. Angel of Greenwood was banned from the 9th grade English curriculum by the school board of Pine Richland High School outside Pittsburgh, PA in January 2025, despite ongoing protests from many students, parents, and educators at the school who embraced the book. Randi discusses her own high school experiences, the ”brilliant” teens she met when she visited Pine Richland after the ban came down, and how writing keeps her from ”breaking her good dishes.”Host: Jarrett DapierMusic Break: ”Elated” by Rain GardenLogo: Thomas J. QuinnTheme music: ”The Reckoning” by Joe Dapier