It’s National Library Week, so I’ve been thinking a lot about knowledge and the idea that knowledge should be readily available – for all. An informed populace is crucial to the health of the nation and a bulwark of democracy. The ability to think, to reason, to avoid being fooled, all these notions are tied to reading and easy access to the wisdom of the ages.
And this is exactly why libraries – and their contents – are under siege these days.
HuffPost’s Jennifer Bendery recently told readers:
“Librarians are living in constant fear. They have become the targets
of Republican politicians and far-right groups like Moms for Liberty
Liberty that are hellbent on burning books about LGBTQ+ people,
people of color and racism. Some librarians are quitting their jobs
because of constant harassment; others are getting fired for
refusing to clear shelves of books that conservatives don’t like.”
If that’s not bad enough – and it is – Bendery informs us there’s another evil twist in the tale: “The GOP’s censorship campaign has shifted from book bans to legislation threatening librarians with jail time.” Idaho’s tried several times to enact such legislation; this February, West Virginia passed a bill “making librarians criminally liable if a minor comes across content that some might consider obscene.” Idaho, Iowa, Alabama, and Georgia are also considering various means of keeping books they don’t like off the shelves...and they’re not alone.
The American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom shared some frightening statistics: “The number of titles targeted for censorship at public libraries increased by 92% over the previous year, accounting for about 46% of all book challenges in 2023; school libraries saw an 11% increase over 2022 numbers.”
Given these ever-more-frequent, ever-more-strident attacks, what can a concerned reader do to stem the tide of book-banning?
PEN America, an organization whose mission “is to unite writers and their allies to celebrate creative expression and defend the liberties that make it possible,” offers a number of ways to make one’s voice heard. Whether you’re a student, a parent, an author, or a librarian, PEN America provides advice, assistance, and resources to keep you informed and ready to push back.
The need to support the nation’s libraries is more urgent than ever. In Bendery’s HuffPost piece, American Library Association President Emily Drabinski draws a chilling conclusion: “What gets lost in conversations about book banning is that it’s really about eliminating the institution of the library, period. It’s not about the books. Well, it is about the books, but the books are the way in to gut one of the last public institutions that serves everyone.”
“You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture,” Ray Bradbury once said. “Just get people to stop reading them.”
Bradbury was one of the 20th century’s finest fabulists, the author of The Martian Chronicles, Something Wicked This Way Comes, and the worldwide blockbuster Fahrenheit 451. Published in 1952, the novel Fahrenheit 451 is set in a future where books are illegal and firemen don’t put out fires – they start them. Printed matter is what they burn.
Bradbury was writing in the tense, paranoid early years of the McCarthy era. But he might as well have penned those words last Thursday.
Support your local library. Speak up for the voices the hate-mongers would shut down. Before – as history’s proven again and again – they try to shut down yours.
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Students fight a book ban by giving away free banned bookswww.youtube.com
The New York Public Library has also weighed in on the matter, you can find its suggestions here.
It's Time to Re-Evaluate Your Fall Wardrobe
This summer has no doubt been unbearably hot, and many of us have become accustomed to wearing shorts and tanks every day. But while our hoodies and long sleeves remain cozily tucked away, they will no doubt have to re-emerge sooner than we think.
As we look for new fits for the upcoming cold months, why not make sure that whatever new wardrobe you buy is crafted sustainably? What if I told you that your new clothes could potentially support hundreds of elephants?
At Ivory Ella, they recognize that elephants are one of the most beautiful creatures on the planet. With sustainability in mind, the clothes they've crafted aim to protect these beautiful creatures from the detrimental ivory trade. In collaboration with Save the Elephants, Ivory Ella has dedicated these past five years to support the protection of these magnificent creatures. While their passion remains Elephants, Ivory Ella also supports many other charities as well. Not to mention, their clothes are fresh as fuck.
Or you can rock the fabulous Lotus Swirl tie-dye hoodie which donates 10% of its net profits to EarthDay.org. Maybe you're stocked up on hoodies and want a long sleeve instead? No problem! The bright sunshine Childhood Cancer Ribbons T-shirt donates 50% of its net profits to the Children's Cancer Therapy Development Institute, which helps fund Megan Bugg's Citizen Scientist Project for Rhabodomyosarcoma Cures.
The Doodle Dog Long Sleeve is another gorgeous shirt crafted with a good cause in mind, as 10% of the shirt's net profits are donated to Hearts and Bones, a nonprofit organization based out of Dallas and New York that builds a nationwide network in an effort to help thousands of shelter dogs find their forever homes.
We know what you're thinking, though. We're getting ahead of ourselves. It's still balmy and T-shirts are still very much a priority. But Ivory Ella has plenty of those, as well. The Ocean Depth's T-shirt, with its beautiful purple vibe, donates 10% to the Reef Restoration Foundation.
Or maybe you're shopping for your kid and want to get them some fly new back-to-school gear. Ivory Ella has a wide selection of great backpacks and lanyards. They also have tank tops, sleepwear, and decorative gear for your home or dorm room!
As summer slowly ends, it's time to revamp your wardrobe with Ivory Ella. Why buy just any old clothes when you can stock up your styles with clothes you know were made with the best of intentions?
Ivory Ella has long stood by its mission to provide sustainable clothing that not only looks great but feels great to wear and purchase. Your purchases can help elephants, aquatic life, children with cancer, pets in need, and more. There is even a full list of all the charities they support if you ever want to look more in-depth.
For those ballin' on a budget, Ivory Ella also has a ton of sales all of the time, so you can still support all these good causes for a fraction of the original price. This fall, get your fit on with Ivory Ella, and spend your money on clothes and causes you know mean something.