Though a Jersey Girl at heart, I currently live in Florida, and I’m saddened by the craziness that’s happening here. Normally, I try not to address politics in my posts, but as this is Black History Month, I feel compelled to comment on the stand our state government has taken regarding education. Florida is one of the leading states encouraging the practice of censoring one’s ability to get a diversified education.
As a writer, it troubles me that the practice of banning books has become so widespread. Governments that limit access to books increase their efforts to gain power over their citizens. The doors open to easily swaying the masses when they can’t research or question information fed to them. People have less power to engage in critical thinking, a process that allows for growth and understanding.
I have never been more proud of the bookstores that are protesting this behavior by openly displaying and encouraging readers to buy and read books the government has deemed inappropriate.
When I perused the presentation of banned books at my local Barnes & Noble, I wasn't surprised to find black treasures like The Color Purple, Beloved, The Hate You Give, and The Bluest Eye. I didn’t expect the display would include established classics like 1984, Animal Farm, Of Mice and Men, Lord of The Flies, and To Kill A Mockingbird. And for the life of me, I don’t understand why The Glass Castle, the story of a young girl growing up in
a dysfunctional family, also sat on the table.
What the heck is going on?
To the credit of Florida residents and organizations, I applaud efforts of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Venice and the Social Justice Alliance of the Florida Suncoast. In partnership, they are hosting The Right to Read: All Books for All People Festival, which will take place on February 24th. National and local authors will read banned books and speakers will address the effects of Florida censorship. They will also give banned books to young readers. I encourage all Floridians interested in learning more about the extent of national book banning and Florida suppression to attend this event.
Adding to Florida’s assault on education, the state Board of Education is enforcing a rule that bars the use of state and federal funds for all programs, policies and activities that promote diversity, equity and inclusion. This ruling affects twenty-eight schools in the Florida College System. Many of these schools’ populations comprise Black and Latino students.
On the bright side, last month Atlanta’s Spelman College announced it received a $100 million donation. The all-girls HBCU will use most of the funds for endowed scholarships, allowing more financially constrained students the opportunity to gain a college education. A step forward for developing creative thinkers. Maybe there is a silver lining after all.
I have to admit, I am not particularly proud to be a Florida resident at the moment. One can only hope that incoming political officials will see fit to undo the damage promoted by the current administration. However, we must keep in mind this type of behavior is not only happening in Florida. People everywhere must be mindful of the government activities implemented to erase the role of democracy and freedom we have fought so hard to maintain in this country.
Banning books, banning abortion rights and lessening diversity, equity and inclusion practices are just the start. If we are not careful, we will soon wake up living in a country with very different ideals than those of our ancestors. To a certain extent, it has already happened.
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