Ex-porn star Sasha Grey reads to children. And?

By Michael J.W. Stickings

And, predictably, some parents are freaking out:

Porn legend Sasha Grey -- winner of the 2010 AVN award for best anal sex scene -- was invited to read books to 1st graders at an L.A.-area elementary school last week ... but the school tried to cover it all up ... after parents pitched a fit.

TMZ has obtained photos of Sasha reading children's books at Emerson Elementary School in Compton on November 2nd ... participating in the Read Across America program. Grey, who hasn't done porn in 2 years, may have been invited because she's mainstream now, with credits which include "Entourage."

Sasha tweeted about the experience -- calling the students the "sweetest" ever. However, not everyone saw it that way ... some angry parents complained to the PTA -- who then contacted the school's principal ... but there's one problem.

A rep for the school district is flatly denying Sasha was ever inside one of its classrooms -- telling TMZ, "We have several celebrities who read to our students each year. The actress you have indicated [Sasha] was not present."

Clearly, the photos we obtained show otherwise.

That's right -- assuming TMV is right about this -- parents complained and school is trying to cover it all up. Fantastic.

Look, there's nothing wrong with Grey reading to schoolchildren. She doesn't do porn anymore (although I'm not sure that should be an automatic disqualification), she's a mainstream actress now (The Girlfriend Experience, Entourage), she seems to be a smart, socially and politically engaged woman (including her work with PETA), and, besides, how would first-graders have any idea about her pornographic past? The fact that she takes the time to participate in a program encouraging reading, Read Across America, is to her credit. I applaud her.

As far as I'm concerned, the moralizing parents (and all it takes is one or two) should just shut the fuck up and appreciate her efforts. (We could use a lot more people trying to get children to read.) And as for the school, well, there's no excuse for what it's doing. Cowardice, dishonesty, and caving in to moralizers are hardly the sorts of things educational should be about.

Thankfully, Grey isn't backing down. You can read her statement here:

I am proud to have participated in the "Read Across America" program at Emerson Elementary School in Compton, CA. I read "Dog Breath" by Dav Pilkey to the sweetest 1st and 3rd grade children.

"Read Across America" is a program that was designed to promote literacy and instill a lifelong love of reading in elementary school students. Promoting education is an effort that is close to my heart. Illiteracy contributes to poverty; encouraging children to pick up a book is fundamental.

I believe education is a universal right. I committed to this program with the understanding that people would have their own opinions about what I have done, who I am and what I represent.

I am an actor. I am an artist. I am a daughter. I am a sister. I am a partner. I have a past that some people may not agree with, but it does not define who I am.

I will not live in fear of it. To challenge non-profit education programs is an exercise in futility, counter-productive and anti-educational.

I cannot thank my fans and "Read Across America" enough for supporting my decision. Your support and kind words continue to inspire me. I believe in the future of our children, and I will remain an active supporter and participant in education-focused initiatives.

Very well put.

(h/t: Drudge Retort)