DANVERS — What began as a single classroom assignment has exploded into a full-blown political showdown — and now, the town’s teachers’ union is leading the charge.

After Holten-Richmond Middle School allowed eighth-grade parents to opt their children out of a controversial English unit built around the book All American Boys — a novel focused on police brutality and race — the Danvers Teachers Association (DTA) launched a public petition blasting the move as “censorship.”

The Union’s Reaction

In a letter to the School Committee, the union accused district leaders of “bypassing protocols,” “threatening teacher autonomy,” and undermining “academic freedom.” Critics argue that the DTA’s campaign is less about literature and more about maintaining control — and that parents who object to politically charged lessons about “white privilege” are being shamed for speaking up.

The union’s petition claims the opt-out decision “cannot be separated from the current political climate.” It calls the move “deeply troubling,” describes it as “silencing the Black American experience,” and warns of a “dangerous precedent” if parents are permitted to challenge reading material in the future.

Petition Tone and Fallout

The tone struck many as combative. The petition insists teachers, not families, should decide what students read and calls on the community to “stand with our students” and “stand for social justice.”

For parents, that language felt like a line in the sand. They argue this isn’t about banning books — it’s about having a say in what their children are taught. Many see the union’s stance as overreach by educators who appear unwilling to accept parental input.

National Spotlight

SCOOP: Students at @Tweet_DPS were reportedly given an assignment which teaches that white kids are racist and should feel guilty for their skin color.

I’m told parents were fuming so the school said they will allow students to opt out of the lesson.

This made the teacher’s… pic.twitter.com/4vwSXnBMJh

— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) October 5, 2025

The controversy exploded beyond Danvers after it was featured on Libs of TikTok, the viral account known for highlighting classroom controversies. The post quickly went viral, drawing attention from across the country and fueling debate over whether Massachusetts schools are prioritizing ideology over education.

The Bigger Fight

The DTA frames the issue as a battle for “intellectual freedom,” citing the American Library Association and National Council of Teachers of English, but also accuses the district of “silencing truth” by allowing families to opt out.

The book All American Boys has been taught for years but remains divisive for its portrayal of race and policing. What’s new is the DTA’s aggressive response — rallying teachers to pressure the School Committee into reversing a parental decision.

To many Danvers families, that looks less like a defense of free thought and more like an attempt to intimidate anyone who questions the classroom agenda.

In the end, the teachers’ union claims to “stand for social justice.” But for many parents in Danvers, it feels like they’re standing against them.