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Right-Wing Book Extremism: Idaho Librarian Resigns

 in Banned Book / Books / Current Events by

Who would have thought that we would be in the 21st century and librarians are resigning due to fear for their physical safety.

Well, this is exactly what happened in Boundary County, Idaho where a librarian resigned due to threats from right-wing extremists due to pressure to ban LGBTQ+ books.

I’m sorry, but what exactly is the concern with these books? The themes? Last I checked, reading a book doesn’t make you a certain way. If that was the case, then I’d be a princess with a dragon as my best friend.

Reading violent books will not make you violent. Reading books with sex will not make you a whore. Reading books with gay characters will not make you gay. Reading a book with straight characters will not make you straight.

Kimber Glidden, the librarian, wrote in her resignation, “Nothing in my background could have prepared me for the political atmosphere of extremism, militant Christian fundamentalism, intimidation tactics and threatening behavior currently being employed in the community…”

Too many professions now are facing things that they should not have to face.

  • Teachers shouldn’t need a gun to protect their students.
  • Restaurant workers shouldn’t need to fight shoppers who are combative.
  • Librarians shouldn’t be scared for the life because of the printed word.

Librarians across the country have been facing difficult times due to books that are perceived to be dangerous. Even when the numbers of people actually opposing these books are small. Minority groups who are loud are making the choices. Which seems to be a theme in America. A democracy – which is what this place is supposed to be – is not decided by who is the loudest. It is decided by the majority. Yet we live in a time when the loudest and most violent make the decision. I mean what the hell?

The group involved in this – the Boundary County Library Board Recall, whose want to to “protect children from explicit materials and grooming” – are crossing so many lines here.

Books in schools are age appropriate. They will not be reading Mills and Boone books with raunchy sex when they’re in second grade. Any books that have gay characters will not be depicting explicit sex. But allowing children to explore who they are, learn that being in a box is not expected and not the norm, and expose them to life.

Life is not square. Life is not black and white.

The damage that removing books from children will do will be endless.

  • They will have no desire to read.
  • They will not question.
  • They will be narrow minded – learn what they are taught and accept that for what it is.
  • They will have no imagination.
  • They are are not “status quo” as their parents seem to expect, they will be loss.

Progress over generations is being undone by small groups of scared people. And that is what they are – scared. They don’t want their children to be exposed to other ideas and perspectives. They don’t want their children to question anything. They want their children to be like their parents, have the same view, and not be open to other perspectives. Which is such a dangerous path.

And when you start imposing your will on others, you get into even more dangerous territory. This goes beyond politics and political opinions (although that is certainly part of it). This has to do with the future, our future, the future of children and the world.

Happy Reading!

 

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Is The Threat To Books Really That Big? Florida Opt Out Has Low Numbers 1

 in Banned Book / Books by

With all the news recently that schools are creating programs to allow parents to opt out of their children reading certain books and even removing books all together, it seems like it’s huge deal. Every news article covering it seems to present it like all the parents in various states are choosing to opt out and supporting this new push.

But is that actually true? How many parents are actually choosing to do this?

Photo by Redd on Unsplash

According to a recent article by BookRiot, the numbers are far lower than the media is making it out to be (shocker there!). In Flagler County, one of the battle ground areas for the book issue, the numbers are as low as .15% of parents choosing to opt out of books. In Osceola County, the number is .46% opt out. In Polk County, it is .14%. Those numbers are pretty darn low!

This is less than 1% of students.

In other areas, schools are requiring parents to sign documents to allow their children the right to borrow books. Oh great, another form for these very busy parents to remember to sign. In one instance, only 23% of parents have signed so far. But does this mean the other 77% of parents don’t want their children to read? Or do they not know they need to sign? Or maybe they just forgot!

So what does this actually mean then?

🚫Book Censors/”Parents Rights” Groups, and others, DO NOT SPEAK FOR THE MAJORITY!🚫

These numbers, while they are only in a few counties and only focusing in one state, so far are a decent thing to work with to counter the current narrative. These numbers do not display that the majority, by any meaning of that word, is supporting or enrolling in these bans or restrictions. While in some other states, the numbers may be different and they certainly may change as we get into the school year, as of now there is still hope!

Unfortunately, like in many other cases, the media is talking a lot about what one controversial group is saying but not necessarily looking at, or even gathering, what the real numbers are and what other people are saying.

The loudest person speaking is not necessarily right. Nor do they speak for the people. 

The people, in some districts of Florida, have clearly spoken and this is visible in the numbers. Not many parents are engaging in this. Which is fantastic!

Photo by Sam McGhee on Unsplash

So do the bans matter then? 

Of course they do. There are still going to be children who are missing out on books. There will be children possibly lost when people mention these books. There may be arguments in the home with children not understanding what is going on. They may be bullied. The possibilities are absolutely endless with.

We live in the 21st century, at a time with access to more knowledge than ever – albeit there is also a lot of mis- and disinformation but there is a lot of amazing things out there.

With such a small percentage, actually not even a percent, being restricted from getting books, they will still hear about the books from others. They may get curious and research it. Who knows. Tell a kid not to do something, they darn well are going to.

But at the heart of this so far as the new school year begins, there are not many parents agreeing with, or to, these restrictions which is a good thing. A very good thing indeed.

So when you talk about this topic, or it comes up and people talk about how the country is falling apart (which isn’t entire wrong but at least not with this topic so far), make sure to note how low the numbers are actually. <1%!

Happy Reading! And fight on! 💪

 

I’m Back and Ready To Combat Book Bans

 in Banned Book / Books by

I’m back!!

Hello to those of you who stuck around after my near 2 year hiatus and various dips of attendance. The last few years have been tumultuous for so many reasons. I am sure you all have been experiencing some of it in your own way as well! So what have I been up to these last few years?

  • I finished my undergraduate degree.
  • I started my Masters.
  • I finished my Masters.
  • I did multiple internships.
  • I started a new job.
  • I moved!!!

But most importantly, with school done, I have gained a great work/life balance and, being an adult, means I have adult money to spend on whatever I want……BOOKS!

I’m reading a heck of a lot more than I have been for a bit (reading thousands of pages for school kind of kills the joy of reading for fun) and some of the news recently has given me a new push and a revived purpose for this blog.

Book Bans??? Are we living in Fahrenheit 415 or 1984?

I’m sure that you have seen a lot of the news recently about book bans happening in various states around the U.S. which is absolutely mind-boggling! The reasoning for this is to keep the kids safe – they don’t want them to read “sexually explicit material” or be brainwashed to believe various things about history, racism and the way life should be.

Failing to learn from history will doom us to repeat it. And the easiest way to keep people quiet and complacent is to make them not question the current status quo.

How is this done? Remove information.

However, unlike some other countries out there, the U.S. still has a vast internet with access to tons of amazing information and resources. And if I know anything about children and younger people, if you tell them not to look at something, they will.

What Does This Have To Do With MLCWO???

OOOO, baby. I’m gonna tell you. I love stirring the pot, I love making sure truth is stated, I love standing up to people, I love arming people with knowledge! I also happen to be a massive book reader and advocate for reading. You mess with my books – then you mess with me (and the army of book readers out there)! So that is just what I am going to do.

I’m going to inform. While I will of course continue my book reviews of normal books that I want to read, I will also revisit some controversial ones, check out the controversial ones and talk about them. I’ll review them as I used to but will pull out what the issues are, provide sources and information, and give people a rounded understanding of the book. If kids aren’t allowed to read the books, they sure as heck will be able to understand why these books aren’t allowed. Maybe I’ll inspire some to check out the books and want to learn more. Maybe it will get people talking.

Even if one person is inspired, that is better than no one.

I’ll also be discussing and sharing articles regarding this situation and others as they develop to make sure people understand what is happening, why it is happening, what the concerns are, the bigger picture and the way forward.

As a reader I cannot stay quiet. As a reader I cannot let beautiful pieces of literature be removed and destroyed because of “fear”.

I’ll be diving more into this topic in future posts, so never fear. If you’re asking, why should I be worried and what’s the big deal, I’ll get to those questions soon!

 

If you have a book that you want me to check out, or discuss, send me an email or DM on Insta!

2020: The Year of Re-Gifting

 in Books / Holiday by

2020 has been a brutal year, there is no two ways about it. Whether it be because of physical health struggles for people, mental health issues because of COVID-19 or financial issues, everyone is struggling one way or another. So what better way to re-duce a little stress, save on some money and bring out some memories by re-gifting!

My family sometimes enjoys re-giving old holiday cards from when I was really young and tell stories about that year. Sometimes there are some gifts that did not get all the use that they should and so they get re-packaged and set to be opened.

Sometimes people think re-gifting is cheap and tacky, and while with gifts you are giving to those outside your family that could be the case, within your family it can be sweeet!

Find a cute image you drew your parents as a kid and give it to them again and tell stories about your favorite time when you were that age. Maybe give your kids a  piece of jewelry from their grandparents that they may enjoy and cherish. Pull out that book from the bookshelf that was once their favorite and maybe they grew up and forgot about – it may bring back some joy or wonderful memories.

Each family is different, but maybe this year instead of buying something new we should be giving something old with history and memory.

It has been a tough year and we all need a little comfort in our lives. By regifting you get to save a little money and possibly relive a wonderful memory.

After all, the Holidays are not a time for buying things but spending time with family. For those who cannot be with their family this year because of COVID-19, maybe send something more personal than a new apron or video game.

Let’s all get a little closer and re-gift small things. Who knows, you may just get some family stories you’ve never heard before!

World Poetry Day – March 21, 2020

 in Poetry by

March 21st is World Poetry Day as designed by UNESCO!

Of course there’s some fantastic classics like The Cat In The Hat but what about something more pertinent to today during COVID-19.

“Hope” is the thing with feathers by Emily Dickinson 

“Hope” is the thing with feathers –
That perches in the soul –
And sings the tune without the words –
And never stops – at all –

And sweetest – in the Gale – is heard –
And sore must be the storm –
That could abash the little Bird
That kept so many warm –

I’ve heard it in the chillest land –
And on the strangest Sea –
Yet – never – in Extremity,
It asked a crumb – of me.