[ [link removed] ]Ayanna Pressley for Congress



Earlier this week, I spoke on the House floor about book bans. I spoke
about Maya Angelou’s I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, a book that is
currently being challenged in multiple states.

As a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, it was not until I read that book
as a young girl that I realized I was not alone. And when reflecting on
the most challenging chapters of my life, I recall passages to make sense
of it all and move forward.

So yes, when I say that books save lives — I mean it. They open doors. And
any work in defense of books is life-saving work.

Whether it be a textbook, a cookbook, or a novel, books allow us to learn
and explore in each stage of our life. And those support systems are now
under threat, as the same draconian forces that place bans on our bodies
are now attacking our books.

An estimated 3,300+ books were banned in the 2022-2023 school year, a 33%
increase from the previous school year. In Massachusetts alone, we’ve
witnessed the number of book challenges quadruple since 2021.

To no one’s surprise, these bans overwhelmingly target books about race
and racism, as well as books with LGBTQ+ characters, as part of
coordinated Republican efforts to erase and rewrite history, and to
further marginalize people who already face discrimination in our society.

In multiple states, Republicans have sought to prohibit students from
reading non-fiction and historical accounts because the subject matter
tells the truth about the violent legacy of racial injustice in America.

The truth is, the dangerous trend of banning books across this country
threatens to erase the contributions of thought leaders and truth-tellers
across the racial, economic, and social spectrum. And it denies our
students an inclusive learning environment and their right to see
themselves reflected in our literature. [ [link removed] ]We have a duty to protect our
history, our stories, and our gifts for future generations. Their
importance demands that we stand up, and we defend them. With my new Books
Save Lives Act, we can do exactly this. Add your name if you agree.

ADD YOUR NAME

Everyone
has a right to read, learn, and see themselves and their lived experience
reflected in our literature. I have always talked about the importance of
honoring the brilliance and diversity of our authors and librarians. They
are the ones who are advocating for the continued representation of our
communities in our books and the freedom to pursue boundless knowledge.

But extremist Republicans and far-right groups would rather censor books
in our libraries and schools.

The threat of book bans across the country — and the need for accessible,
representative literature — is greater than ever. This week, I was proud
to introduce the Books Save Lives Act. This legislation would:

* Classify discriminatory book bans as violations of federal civil
rights laws;
* Require public libraries and school libraries to maintain a diverse
collection of books;
* Ensure primary and secondary schools have a library with a trained
librarian; and
* Direct the Government Accountability Office to report on the effect of
book bans on underrepresented communities.

[ [link removed] ]If
you agree that every reader has a right to free access to information and
public education, where they can be greeted by books that reflect the
diversity of lived experiences in their neighborhoods and around the
world, add your name to become a grassroots co-sponsor of the Books Save
Lives Act.

ADD YOUR NAME

Yours in service,

Ayanna





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