Event Brief
UPDATED May 18, 2026 at 7:00 PM ET
May 14, 2026 at 2:00 PM ET
Knox County Schools remove “Roots,” sparks backlash
By The BriefBrief
Knox County Schools banned Alex Haley’s “Roots” under Tennessee’s age-appropriate materials law, prompting parent and community backlash.
WHO: Knox County Schools; parents and community members; Alex Haley (author)
WHAT: Knox County Schools banned the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel “Roots” from classrooms
WHEN: May 15, 2026 at 7:15 PM ET
WHERE: Knox County Schools (Knox County, Tennessee)
WHY: The ban was issued under Tennessee’s Age-Appropriate Materials Act after parents reported concerns about the book’s content.
How this story developed (showing 4 of 4 earlier reports)
Reporting from 2 identified publishers across this event arc.
View all 2 publishers
Publishers represented across this event arc
- WATE 6 On Your Side —
2 articles
- WBIR 10News —
3 articles
These publishers contributed reporting to the broader event history. Not every source addresses the specific development described above.
How this brief is built: The BriefBrief correlates multiple sources into one evolving event brief, updated as new facts emerge.
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