In this Feb. 17, 2020, file photo, Zachary Scott Carothers performs with his rock band “Portugal. The Man” during a campaign event for Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders in Tacoma, Wash. After the school board at the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District in Palmer voted 5-2 to remove five classics including F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby,” “Joseph Heller’s Catch-22” and Maya Angelou’s “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” the band announced it would buy the books for any student or parent who wanted them. (Ted S. Warren/Associated Press file)

In this Feb. 17, 2020, file photo, Zachary Scott Carothers performs with his rock band “Portugal. The Man” during a campaign event for Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders in Tacoma, Wash. After the school board at the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District in Palmer voted 5-2 to remove five classics including F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby,” “Joseph Heller’s Catch-22” and Maya Angelou’s “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” the band announced it would buy the books for any student or parent who wanted them. (Ted S. Warren/Associated Press file)

Alaska book ban vote draws attention of hometown rockers

Portugal. The Man says it will buy novels for students, parents

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Members of the Grammy-winning rock band Portugal. The Man are stepping into a banned book controversy in their Alaska home town.

After the school board at the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District in Palmer voted 5-2 last week to remove five classics used for high school English elective courses including F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby,” “Joseph Heller’s Catch-22” and Maya Angelou’s “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” the band announced it would buy the books for any student or parent who wanted them.

The other two books are “Invisible Man” by Ralph Ellison and “The Things They Carried” by Tim O’Brien.

The books are controversial because of sexual references and descriptions of rape and incest, “things that are pretty serious problems, especially in our teenage world,” said board member Jeff Taylor, a Wasilla business owner who voted in favor of the ban.

Portugal. The Man guitarist Eric Howk was surprised to learn of the decision in the district north of Anchorage where the band members attended school, he KTVA-TV reported.

“We were all students of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough school district and we have a lot of teachers there that we love,” Howk said.

“I think when it comes to stories and to books, we’re storytellers. You know, we’re songwriters and we’re storytellers and we take the situations and the experiences and the people that we meet and we kind of turn those into the stories that we carry on with us to the next place and to the next town. Storytelling is just kind of sacred to us and it just hits really close to home.”

District spokeswoman Jillian Morrissey declined to comment on the offer by Portugal. The Man. The books remain in district libraries, she told The Associated Press.

The National Coalition Against Censorship has asked the school board to reverse its decision.

In a letter to the board’s president, coalition officials said removing from the curriculum “every book that some member of the community might find controversial would leave education in shreds and students at a disadvantage.”

The Anchorage Daily News reported the agenda for the school board’s next meeting Wednesday includes a proposal to rescind the vote.

Sarah Welton, one of two board members who voted no last week, told the newspaper she requested the motion to rescind and wanted to give members of the public an opportunity to comment.

More in Entertainment

The Tennessee Hillbuddies, from left, Conner Vlietstra, Henry Barnes and Trevor Holder, perform during a concert at McCurdy Pavilion at Fort Worden State Park on Friday. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Fiddle Tunes

The Tennessee Hillbuddies, from left, Conner Vlietstra, Henry Barnes and Trevor Holder,… Continue reading

The Carpe Diem String Quartet, from left, cellist Ariana Nelson, violist Korine Fujiwara and violinists Marisa Ishikawa and Sam Weiser, will open the eighth season of Concerts in the Barn this weekend.
Carpe Diem String Quartet to open Concerts at the Barn series

The Carpe Diem String Quartet will open the eighth season… Continue reading

“Morocco” by Carol Marshall will be on exhibit at Harbor Art Gallery throughout July.
Harbor Art Gallery to host reception for Art Walk

There will be a reception for “Up the Down… Continue reading

Olympic Theatre Arts to stage ‘Lavender Legacies’

The Lavender Melodrama will present “Lavender Legacies” at 7 p.m.… Continue reading

Improvised musical slated Thursday at Field Hall

Peninsula College Drama will present “100% Totally Improvised Musical”… Continue reading

Free concerts continue on Peninsula

Free concerts are scheduled across the Peninsula next week. • Sequim Music… Continue reading

Art, music and games planned on Peninsula

This weekend on the Peninsula features art, music and activities. • Mary… Continue reading

Pamela Raine's necklace collection will be the featured jewelry at the Port Ludlow Art League during July.
Port Ludlow Art League reception set

The Port Ludlow Art League will host a reception… Continue reading

Fourth of July events set on Peninsula

Fourth of July events are planned around the Peninsula, includings arts and… Continue reading

Traveling with Dignity by Len Zeoli
Fourth of July open house offered at gallery

Pacific Northwest Impressions will be on display during a Fourth… Continue reading

Auditions to be conducted for playhouse production

Rebecca Gilbert will conduct auditions for an upcoming production… Continue reading