powerpac.org [powerpac.org]
Friend -
As a progressive mom, I've always believed in the power of education and the importance of exposing my kids to diverse ideas, perspectives, and cultures through books. But with the alarming rise in book censorship, I fear that our freedom to read whatever we want , whenever we want , and however we want is coming to a disturbing close.
Books have been a source of knowledge, inspiration, and empathy for generations, and they have played a pivotal role in shaping our society for the better. However, in recent years, we've witnessed a disturbing trend where certain groups are pushing to ban books that they deem controversial or objectionable.
According to the ALA [[link removed]] , “Censors targeted a record 2,571 unique titles in 2022, a 38% increase from the 1,858 unique titles targeted for censorship in 2021. Of those titles, the vast majority were written by or about members of the LGBTQIA+ community or by and about Black people, Indigenous people, and people of color.”
[link removed] [[link removed]]
This is an unacceptable threat to our fundamental freedom to read. Why are Conservatives and their followers stuck on promoting book bans?
Well, because books promote…
✨Critical Thinking : Books challenge our preconceived notions and encourage critical thinking. By reading materials with diverse viewpoints, our children can learn to evaluate arguments, develop their own opinions, and engage in constructive debates.
✨ Cultural Understanding : Books are windows into different cultures, lifestyles, and experiences. Banning books deprives our children of the opportunity to learn about the world around them and fosters intolerance and ignorance.
✨ Freedom of Expression : Banning books infringes upon the authors' freedom of expression and our right to access a wide range of ideas and perspectives. It sets a dangerous precedent by limiting the free exchange of information.
✨Intellectual Growth : Reading expands our horizons and fosters intellectual growth. When we limit the books available to our children, we hinder their educational development and future opportunities.
Just like the educational content from PragerU, Conservatives are hell bent on grooming our next generation of minds in their image.
What can we do?
🚨** Stay Informed :** Keep yourself informed about challenges to books in your community or school district. Attend school board meetings and engage in conversations with teachers and librarians to understand the issues at hand.
🚨** Speak Up :** Use your voice to advocate for the importance of free expression and access to diverse books. Write letters to your local newspapers, participate in public forums, and engage with decision-makers to express your concerns.
🚨** Support Local Libraries :** Libraries are essential bastions of free thought and knowledge. Support your local library by attending their events, donating books, or volunteering your time.
🚨** Join Advocacy Groups :** Collaborate with organizations and advocacy groups like Freedom to Read Foundation [[link removed]] and Unite Against Book Bans [[link removed]] that work tirelessly to defend our right to read. Together, we can make a stronger impact.
🚨** Vote :** Support political candidates who are committed to protecting our freedom to read and ensuring that our schools remain inclusive and diverse in their curricula.
The fight against book bans is a fight for our children's education, our freedom of thought, and our society's progress. Let us stand together as defenders of intellectual freedom and the power of books to shape a brighter future.
Let's continue to be the change we wish to see in the world.
A progressive mom’s musings,
Edil Mari De Los Reyes
P.S. If you live in a state that is currently restricting access to diverse books AND/OR you have the means to curate your own library for your littles, check out my family’s favorite subscription box, OurShelves [[link removed]] .
[link removed] [[link removed]]
PowerPAC is a social justice organization that strategically directs financial and human resources to local and state organizations working to deliver wins in legislative fights, ballot initiatives, and more. For years the money we've raised has, dollar for dollar, been given back to the communities we work with. We've made sure that your investments were being used to build power for our communities because too often we are underrepresented and ignored.
SUPPORT OUR WORK [[link removed]]
[link removed] [[link removed]] [link removed] [[link removed]] [link removed] [[link removed]]

PowerPAC
456 Montgomery St
Ste 1350
San Francisco, CA 94104
United States
Emails are crucial for communicating with our top supporters. However, if you wish to no longer receive emails from us, please unsubscribe: [link removed] .