Goodness, kindness and truth. It has become increasingly difficult it seems for ordinary Americans to distinguish them from evil, cruelty and lies. A sad and dangerous time we are living in. Nothing good, kind, and truthful ever came from book banning. Reject politicians that support this clear precursor to fascism. Our American democracy would be a terrible thing to waste/lose.
The success of any repressive and coercive movement, in my opinion, depends first on the obliteration of any information to the contrary of its ideas. Indeed, in situations where everyone is kept informed and up-to-date, ideas like fascism have a hard time getting any traction. I believe we are living in the time of the first steps toward fascism in our country, and I'm alarmed at how unalarmed most people seem to be by that.
Before I even started school, when I was going on four years old, my mother taught me the fundamentals of reading, and I became a true reader by the end of that year. By the time I entered elementary school, I was reading at a fourth-grade level. By the time I entered third grade, I had read and been tested on all of the teaching materials for reading in my school, and was allowed to spend an hour or more in the school library, reading whatever I chose. Except for two shelves, which were considered "advanced". Of course, having read just about everything else, I wanted to read them too, and got my mother to ask the librarian to allow me to do so. The librarian explained that I was too young to understand the concepts in those books, and would be unable to put them into context. My mother explained that my father and I had read "The Iliad" together the previous year and were currently half-way through "The Odyssey", and she thought maybe I could use a dictionary if there were words beyond my understanding. She suggested I read one book and discuss it with the librarian, to see if I understood what I read, and the librarian agreed. The book she chose was "The Adventures of Huck Finn", which was currently available only to 6th graders ! I wrote (badly, I'm afraid - penmanship was not my best subject) a three page summation of the book under the librarian's eye, and thereafter got to read anything I wished. Maybe that's the key - ask young readers to demonstrate their understanding of the underlying theme of a book. One of the best ways to interact with very young readers - as well as older ones - is to discuss the books they are reading with them. Banning books only makes them more desirable, as most of us who read already know. It's only non-readers who find this acceptable, it seems to me.
Banning books, burning books - what's the difference? Censorship of reading material is the first step on the slippery slope to controlling what people are allowed to think, to say and to do. This is America, dammit, we are NOT like that! In fact, we were established by people who objected to that very idea. This is a situation we cannot let pass by, we HAVE to fight it, before those shadowy figures mandating the bans start the next phase of their campaign to turn us all into ignorant and obedient slaves.
At almost 80 I have experience a number of book banning situations. The solution seems simple to me. If you find a book offensive for some reason, do not read it, but let others make their own decisions bout the book.
Grace Linn, your a woman of courage, love , and compassion for students to learn the truth about our country. I am deeply greatful for your activism and your speech in the video. Not to mention the beautiful quilt you made as a symbol and a message to the people of this country. This proves, its never to late to get involved and stop books from being banned. Thank you Dan , for the additional information in your newsletter. This was an exceptional read.
Being a quilter myself, I so admire Grace Linn for using her skills to create a quilt that delivers a strong message. No one person, or group of people has the right to determine what books should or should not be available to anyone who wants to read them.
Truth in this. The people who ban books are afraid of knowledge and thinking. A broad range of reading is a very good thing. No book should be banned but there is nothing wrong with parents or libraries limiting who can check out or read certain books, due to content or age appropriate content.
I can remember living in Georgia years ago experiencing an action similar to book banning. The educational powers that were in change of curriculum for high school were offended by parts of a new science book (masterbation etc). Their solution, they glued together the offending pages.
Banning books while kids have constant access to the internet is like trying to hold back the sea. If kids want to learn about something, they will. Try teaching/allowing your kids to talk to you about stuff so maybe they wont be so fragile (or as fragile as you think they are).
Notice that the timeline of many of these book bans are post George Floyd's murder where millions of young people from all races and backgrounds literally joined hands to protest police brutality. This solidarity among young people sparked right wing backlash with the creation of racist and homophobic organizations like Moms for Liberty. In a nutshell: the MFL parents don't want their children learning about the history of systemic racism and homophobia in our country. However, the only way we're ever going to end the vicious cycles of injustices and inequities is the learn from and confront our true history. I applaud Ms. Linn's efforts!
Banning what books we can read, coming to us from the Party who loathes when government insinuates itself into our lives.
Burning books, banning books, conspiracy mongering, vowing loyalty to one political figure over a country and human decency, denying anyone who does fit not into their concept of normalcy, access and space inside society, and a seat at the table…..
While in high school in the 50's, I sang in a Catholic church choir. I was not Catholic. On the bulletin board in the church was a list of books that were banned. ALL the kids would write the titles down. I am sure they were not doing that so they would not read them!!
It’s such a hoot that Bridget Ziegler, co-founder of the anti-LGBTQ hate group Moms For Liberty, while getting books with LGBTQ topics banned from school and public libraries, was having sex with other women during her 3-way sexcapades. 😂
This is how many books have been banned: ZERO… Removing PORN from school libraries is not the same as "banning" the book.
Goodness, kindness and truth. It has become increasingly difficult it seems for ordinary Americans to distinguish them from evil, cruelty and lies. A sad and dangerous time we are living in. Nothing good, kind, and truthful ever came from book banning. Reject politicians that support this clear precursor to fascism. Our American democracy would be a terrible thing to waste/lose.
<3
The success of any repressive and coercive movement, in my opinion, depends first on the obliteration of any information to the contrary of its ideas. Indeed, in situations where everyone is kept informed and up-to-date, ideas like fascism have a hard time getting any traction. I believe we are living in the time of the first steps toward fascism in our country, and I'm alarmed at how unalarmed most people seem to be by that.
Before I even started school, when I was going on four years old, my mother taught me the fundamentals of reading, and I became a true reader by the end of that year. By the time I entered elementary school, I was reading at a fourth-grade level. By the time I entered third grade, I had read and been tested on all of the teaching materials for reading in my school, and was allowed to spend an hour or more in the school library, reading whatever I chose. Except for two shelves, which were considered "advanced". Of course, having read just about everything else, I wanted to read them too, and got my mother to ask the librarian to allow me to do so. The librarian explained that I was too young to understand the concepts in those books, and would be unable to put them into context. My mother explained that my father and I had read "The Iliad" together the previous year and were currently half-way through "The Odyssey", and she thought maybe I could use a dictionary if there were words beyond my understanding. She suggested I read one book and discuss it with the librarian, to see if I understood what I read, and the librarian agreed. The book she chose was "The Adventures of Huck Finn", which was currently available only to 6th graders ! I wrote (badly, I'm afraid - penmanship was not my best subject) a three page summation of the book under the librarian's eye, and thereafter got to read anything I wished. Maybe that's the key - ask young readers to demonstrate their understanding of the underlying theme of a book. One of the best ways to interact with very young readers - as well as older ones - is to discuss the books they are reading with them. Banning books only makes them more desirable, as most of us who read already know. It's only non-readers who find this acceptable, it seems to me.
Banning books, burning books - what's the difference? Censorship of reading material is the first step on the slippery slope to controlling what people are allowed to think, to say and to do. This is America, dammit, we are NOT like that! In fact, we were established by people who objected to that very idea. This is a situation we cannot let pass by, we HAVE to fight it, before those shadowy figures mandating the bans start the next phase of their campaign to turn us all into ignorant and obedient slaves.
Wonderful column, Dan. Thank you.
At almost 80 I have experience a number of book banning situations. The solution seems simple to me. If you find a book offensive for some reason, do not read it, but let others make their own decisions bout the book.
Grace Linn, your a woman of courage, love , and compassion for students to learn the truth about our country. I am deeply greatful for your activism and your speech in the video. Not to mention the beautiful quilt you made as a symbol and a message to the people of this country. This proves, its never to late to get involved and stop books from being banned. Thank you Dan , for the additional information in your newsletter. This was an exceptional read.
Being a quilter myself, I so admire Grace Linn for using her skills to create a quilt that delivers a strong message. No one person, or group of people has the right to determine what books should or should not be available to anyone who wants to read them.
great article as always! Bridget Ziegler is a hypocrite !
Truth in this. The people who ban books are afraid of knowledge and thinking. A broad range of reading is a very good thing. No book should be banned but there is nothing wrong with parents or libraries limiting who can check out or read certain books, due to content or age appropriate content.
I can remember living in Georgia years ago experiencing an action similar to book banning. The educational powers that were in change of curriculum for high school were offended by parts of a new science book (masterbation etc). Their solution, they glued together the offending pages.
Banning books while kids have constant access to the internet is like trying to hold back the sea. If kids want to learn about something, they will. Try teaching/allowing your kids to talk to you about stuff so maybe they wont be so fragile (or as fragile as you think they are).
Notice that the timeline of many of these book bans are post George Floyd's murder where millions of young people from all races and backgrounds literally joined hands to protest police brutality. This solidarity among young people sparked right wing backlash with the creation of racist and homophobic organizations like Moms for Liberty. In a nutshell: the MFL parents don't want their children learning about the history of systemic racism and homophobia in our country. However, the only way we're ever going to end the vicious cycles of injustices and inequities is the learn from and confront our true history. I applaud Ms. Linn's efforts!
Banning what books we can read, coming to us from the Party who loathes when government insinuates itself into our lives.
Burning books, banning books, conspiracy mongering, vowing loyalty to one political figure over a country and human decency, denying anyone who does fit not into their concept of normalcy, access and space inside society, and a seat at the table…..
I am thankful for people like Grace Linn…
While in high school in the 50's, I sang in a Catholic church choir. I was not Catholic. On the bulletin board in the church was a list of books that were banned. ALL the kids would write the titles down. I am sure they were not doing that so they would not read them!!
It’s such a hoot that Bridget Ziegler, co-founder of the anti-LGBTQ hate group Moms For Liberty, while getting books with LGBTQ topics banned from school and public libraries, was having sex with other women during her 3-way sexcapades. 😂
ye yes yes!
Hi Dan!