Freedom to Read and to Learn
Across the country decision-makers continue to ban books restricting students’ access to true history and diverse voices. This threatens students’ academic growth and their ability to understand diverse cultures both in the U.S. and the world around them. Students of color are already in dire need of more racial and cultural representation in curriculums. Yet, everything from books and instructional materials to statewide assessments enforces a predominantly white culture. Representation matters significantly in education. When students see themselves reflected in literature and other educational materials, it positively influences their self-perception, self concept, and broadens their understanding of the world. By embracing a more inclusive approach, education can better serve the needs of all learners and contribute to a more just and equitable society.
Book banning is a form of censorship. Censorship is the suppression of ideas or information. Libraries and schools use books as mirrors and windows as mentioned in my book, “It Takes a Village to Raise a Reader.” Mirrors allow students to see themselves and to feel good about who they are. Windows allow students to learn about and accept others who are different from themselves. Windows and mirrors open the doors for students to accept and embrace diversity. Removing books from libraries and schools denies students learning opportunities. Libraries and schools are about freedom: Freedom to read, Freedom of ideas, and Freedom of communication.
The enforcement of a predominantly white culture in educational materials perpetuates inequalities and reinforces existing power dynamics. It's essential to challenge these systems of censorship and advocate for a more inclusive and equitable approach to education that respects diverse voices, experiences, and perspectives. Encouraging open dialogue and supporting educators in providing students with a rich, diverse, and varied curriculum is crucial for fostering critical thinking, empathy, and understanding.
Book Banning……
Interferes with freedom of expression and free speech.
Keeps people apart and uninformed.
Does not change what’s happening in the world.
Reduces empathy.
Creates an environment of stress and anxiety.
Makes it harder for students to find credible sources on topics, forcing them to rely on misinformation, untrue information, or biased information. This can lead to children learning false narratives that may be harmful to themselves and others.
Hinders critical thinking and makes it harder for students to consider alternative perspectives.
Decreases student engagement in reading.
Suppresses information from public access.
Stifles growth and development for all students - denying them access to learn about different groups of people.
Undermines educator expertise by restricting what happens in classrooms.
Stifles intellectual freedom and infringes upon the rights of students to access a comprehensive education that reflects real historic events.
Divides communities and isolates viewpoints.
Forces students to rely on less credible sources of information and further perpetuates stereotypes, prejudices, and biases.
Disenfranchises certain student groups and denies them of their right to have their history told truthfully and to learn about the contributions of their ancestors in United States history.
Overall, the growing movement to ban books represents a significant threat to intellectual freedom, democratic values, and the free exchange of ideas within educational environments. As I state in chapter eight in my book, It Takes a Village to Raise a Reader, it is essential to push back against these efforts and advocate for policies that promote inclusion, diversity, and the unrestricted pursuit of knowledge in schools and communities.