Across the country, right-wing activists are seeking to ban thousands of books from schools and other public libraries. Those promoting the bans often claim they are acting to protect children from pornography. But the bans frequently target books "by and about people of color and LGBTQ individuals
The Illinois law is a ray of light and hope and by Judd highlighting it, it may encourage other states to enact a similar piece of legislation. Lets hope so. Thank you Judd.
Florida mom here and what they are doing is dumbing down our children so they do not question authority. Black gay and bi or trans people are not safe here until we fight them out
I recently revisited the Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington DC. It's one of the most impressive museums I have ever visited anywhere. And, yes, some of the exhibits are hair-raising and disturbing because they are true. I could not help but wonder whether children from states like Florida where school book censorship is an official state policy are even allowed to vitit that museum when touring DC on school trips.
I seem to recall an episode of WKRP where a small group of Christian conservatives got the station to ban records they found offensive. It started with one or two “suggestions” and culminated with their leader banning “Imagine” for suggesting a contrary idea. This was in 1981, mind you. We have taken such a tremendous leap backwards in such a small amount of time.
Illinois is an imperfect state. I know that because I have lived here (Chicago) most of my life. However, I am so proud of what our legislature and governor are doing to enshrine our rights. Whether it is ensuring that both in state and out of state women have access to both surgical and medication abortion or making sure that residents have access to reading materials of their choice, Illinois is helping to lead the way.
DeSantis is missing the fact that for many children, especially in impoverished communities, their school library is the only one they use. So a book banned from a school library is the same as completely banned for many students.
There’s another side to this besides the direct attacks on education. As long as we are fighting over book bans and “wokism,” we aren’t fighting to close tax loopholes and enforce antitrust laws.
Death Santis is a common tyrant; a fascist; an opportunistic bully capitalizing on hatred and division. WTF attacks Mickey Mouse? His followers already are backward idiots--they never read books as it is. . . Fight EVIL; READ BOOKS. It’s a serious meme.
Back in the early 70s . my school division had the Responding Lit series in high school. Book banners ie Christians in my county tried to get it removed because it had suggestive and inappropriate stories.
We went to the big show down school board meeting my mom, dad and me. Was ever surprised when he got up to speak.
He looked down on the leader of the book ban pack sitting front row with his minions, then turned and spoke.
He said in his big booming voice, "I didn't fight in the jungles of the Pacific during WWII so that guys like him sitting on the sidelines could ban books. I trust the school board, administration and educators make good
decisions for my 2 students and yours."
He turned around looked down on that guy again. Dad got a lot of way to go's for days afterward.
The school board kept the books. My Daddy was and though gone now, always will be my hero. For that night and thousands of others because he was never afraid to take a stand and was a good human being.
The weasels crawled back in their holes.
They are back out here again in my community after public library books.
The parents need to stand up. The citizens need to stand up. Public officials need to stand up. We need to write letters and show up. The squeaky wheel gets the grease and right now it's the right wing minority and Moms for Liberty. Let's drown them out with the collective voices of resistance to book bans in schools and public libraries!
When I was a kid in the 80s, there was a movement in NYC (I was in the burbs) of 'safe houses'...places where abused kids could go and get help. We were told all you had to do was knock on the door and there would be a person who could help you escape abuse. Now, I was little and I am not sure I understood but given the town I live in now, in Ruby Red OH...I sure wish there was a way to signal to LGBTQIA kids that this is a safe house.
I recently heard about a movement for cis-het dads to paint their nails as a way to signal they are safe to talk to. I don't want to be naive, but man I want this to be true.
When it comes to books...I know about book boxes, and I know about showing up, but what else can we do?
Reporting that shows how individuals, groups, states and others fight back is what we need. As much as I appreciate the reporting you’ve done to expose the underbelly of so many things, I believe healthy doses of reporting that shows what people are doing to push back inspires others to take action.
I am so proud, as always, to read about one of the best governors out there. My governor Pritzker! He is a treasure for the state of IL and is a real people’s governor. We’re a shining blue diamond in the midwest because of him & now Chicago has a progressive mayor too.
Governor Pritzker ALWAYS defends people of color, LGBTQ+, women’s rights etc.
His wife is a wonderful partner to him as well and I think she is a benefit to IL residents as well.
Thank you for calling attention to this issue. If we allow books to be banned these religious extremists will not stop their. As someone who grew up poor and in a rural area, books were my window to the world. Reading has always been part of my life.
The 78% of parents who are against the bans need to get off their butts and collectively go to school board meetings and stand up to the bullies.
The Illinois law is a ray of light and hope and by Judd highlighting it, it may encourage other states to enact a similar piece of legislation. Lets hope so. Thank you Judd.
Florida mom here and what they are doing is dumbing down our children so they do not question authority. Black gay and bi or trans people are not safe here until we fight them out
I recently revisited the Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington DC. It's one of the most impressive museums I have ever visited anywhere. And, yes, some of the exhibits are hair-raising and disturbing because they are true. I could not help but wonder whether children from states like Florida where school book censorship is an official state policy are even allowed to vitit that museum when touring DC on school trips.
I seem to recall an episode of WKRP where a small group of Christian conservatives got the station to ban records they found offensive. It started with one or two “suggestions” and culminated with their leader banning “Imagine” for suggesting a contrary idea. This was in 1981, mind you. We have taken such a tremendous leap backwards in such a small amount of time.
Illinois is an imperfect state. I know that because I have lived here (Chicago) most of my life. However, I am so proud of what our legislature and governor are doing to enshrine our rights. Whether it is ensuring that both in state and out of state women have access to both surgical and medication abortion or making sure that residents have access to reading materials of their choice, Illinois is helping to lead the way.
DeSantis is missing the fact that for many children, especially in impoverished communities, their school library is the only one they use. So a book banned from a school library is the same as completely banned for many students.
There’s another side to this besides the direct attacks on education. As long as we are fighting over book bans and “wokism,” we aren’t fighting to close tax loopholes and enforce antitrust laws.
Death Santis is a common tyrant; a fascist; an opportunistic bully capitalizing on hatred and division. WTF attacks Mickey Mouse? His followers already are backward idiots--they never read books as it is. . . Fight EVIL; READ BOOKS. It’s a serious meme.
It is no accident that the home of the American Library Association is in Chicago.
Librarians everywhere are grateful.
Thank you so much, Judd.
Back in the early 70s . my school division had the Responding Lit series in high school. Book banners ie Christians in my county tried to get it removed because it had suggestive and inappropriate stories.
We went to the big show down school board meeting my mom, dad and me. Was ever surprised when he got up to speak.
He looked down on the leader of the book ban pack sitting front row with his minions, then turned and spoke.
He said in his big booming voice, "I didn't fight in the jungles of the Pacific during WWII so that guys like him sitting on the sidelines could ban books. I trust the school board, administration and educators make good
decisions for my 2 students and yours."
He turned around looked down on that guy again. Dad got a lot of way to go's for days afterward.
The school board kept the books. My Daddy was and though gone now, always will be my hero. For that night and thousands of others because he was never afraid to take a stand and was a good human being.
The weasels crawled back in their holes.
They are back out here again in my community after public library books.
The parents need to stand up. The citizens need to stand up. Public officials need to stand up. We need to write letters and show up. The squeaky wheel gets the grease and right now it's the right wing minority and Moms for Liberty. Let's drown them out with the collective voices of resistance to book bans in schools and public libraries!
Take a stand!
Keep up the good work Judd and PI. Thank you.
When I was a kid in the 80s, there was a movement in NYC (I was in the burbs) of 'safe houses'...places where abused kids could go and get help. We were told all you had to do was knock on the door and there would be a person who could help you escape abuse. Now, I was little and I am not sure I understood but given the town I live in now, in Ruby Red OH...I sure wish there was a way to signal to LGBTQIA kids that this is a safe house.
I recently heard about a movement for cis-het dads to paint their nails as a way to signal they are safe to talk to. I don't want to be naive, but man I want this to be true.
When it comes to books...I know about book boxes, and I know about showing up, but what else can we do?
That is MY Govenor! We don't agree on everything but we sure agree on this!
Reporting that shows how individuals, groups, states and others fight back is what we need. As much as I appreciate the reporting you’ve done to expose the underbelly of so many things, I believe healthy doses of reporting that shows what people are doing to push back inspires others to take action.
I am so proud, as always, to read about one of the best governors out there. My governor Pritzker! He is a treasure for the state of IL and is a real people’s governor. We’re a shining blue diamond in the midwest because of him & now Chicago has a progressive mayor too.
Governor Pritzker ALWAYS defends people of color, LGBTQ+, women’s rights etc.
His wife is a wonderful partner to him as well and I think she is a benefit to IL residents as well.
Thank you for calling attention to this issue. If we allow books to be banned these religious extremists will not stop their. As someone who grew up poor and in a rural area, books were my window to the world. Reading has always been part of my life.