(C) Daily Kos
This story was originally published by Daily Kos and is unaltered.
. . . . . . . . . .
Opposing Book Bans, Defending Schools & Libraries [1]
['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.']
Date: 2025-04-05
We hear about book bans or efforts to ban books in schools and libraries almost every day now. Most recently, the U.S. Naval Academy removed nearly 400 books said to include DEI content from the shelves of the school library. The New York Times has the list. The Times reports that it includes Maya Angelou’s “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” and books on race, gender, and the Holocaust.
Coincidentally, the American Library Association’s Unite Against Book Bans campaign celebrating Right to Read Day, is scheduled for Monday, April 7. You may not have heard about it from the media — but if you support public libraries and public schools and oppose censorship and book bans — this is your day!
The web site declares:
With more than 200 partner organizations and tens of thousands of individual supporters, Unite Against Book Bans connects, equips, and mobilizes the public to advocate in their communities for the right to read and to defeat attempts at every level of government to censor reading material... The freedom to read has been under attack for years now. But the censorship attacks on libraries aren’t just book bans. The individuals and groups behind the attacks on libraries are threatening programs, cutting funding, and trying to pass laws that target library workers and educators. The relentless attacks on library workers, educators, and community members are meant to create an environment of fear in which people are afraid to buy books, afraid to check out books, afraid to teach a diversity of viewpoints, and afraid to even report censorship.
The day is themed, we’re ‘Drawn to Freedom’ — which includes “the freedom to read, the freedom to access information, the freedom to find community — all of the opportunities our libraries provide.”
They have produced excellent resources, including talking points, guidance on grasroots organizing, graphics for postcards and lawn signs.
This ought to be a no brainer. The overwhelming majority of Americans believe in the freedom to read and oppose book bans — but efforts to ban books in schools and libraries are increasing
There is also a corresponding rise in state and local legislation aimed at empowering censors and even allowing criminal prosecution of librarians or teachers for simply doing their jobs. These centers of knowledge for families and communities are in jeopardy. Fortunately, there are things we can do about it — and United Against Book Bans tells us what they are, and they have good ideas about how to do them.
Among other things, Unite Against Book Bans reminds us to register to vote. Non-presidential election years and special elections turn out far fewer voters and library boards and school boards are usualy the lowest races on the election ladder, drawing the least attention. But strong turnouts for these races can have a trickle up effect.
The right to read is on the ballot in communities across the country— be prepared to vote in all elections, including for library and school boards.
There is a long and grim history of book banning and book burning. The religious and political descendants of the perpetrators of these atrocities are active today. Let’s stop them whenever and wherever we can.
[END]
---
[1] Url:
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2025/4/5/2314782/-Opposing-Book-Bans-Defending-Schools-Libraries?pm_campaign=front_page&pm_source=more_community&pm_medium=web
Published and (C) by Daily Kos
Content appears here under this condition or license: Site content may be used for any purpose without permission unless otherwise specified.
via Magical.Fish Gopher News Feeds:
gopher://magical.fish/1/feeds/news/dailykos/
