The silent type

 

ALA

Progress is always relative: to the oppressed, it can only be viewed as an all or nothing deal - if oppression continues, even in a modified form, then the system must still be attacked until that injustice is eradicated.

DESMONDTUTU

Some people are happy with the way the world works. From their situation of privilege, they cannot see injustice or oppression because it does not affect them in particular or their view of the world in general. It's a comfortable position that they explain to themselves in many ways. I cannot do that. I  fixate on many things that are, to my eyes either unjust or that oppress somebody: inequality, racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, you name it. I wanna know where it comes from, why it happens and what can be done to squash it. 

Not talking against something that we can see is unjust or outrageous or despicable is basically siding with the oppressor. Yes, if you don't speak against injustice, you are siding with whomever is abusing power or their position or their status. When there is no room to be or think differently,  there is no freedom, only oppression. That's why I'll always speak up against it. I cannot be a spectator. That is better left to sports. 

Take for example our topic today: banned books. I've spoken about banned books before. And I'll keep speaking about them, because I agree with the idea that books are the carriers of progress and civilization. I also agree with the idea that to stop progress and civilization all you have to do is to stop people from reading books. Oh, you think I'm sounding too Fahrenheit 451? Welcome to Banned Books Week 2021. Because even in the XXI century, some people keep trying to stop progress and civilization. 

For me, Banned Books Week is kind of a year-long event. I don't read as much as I used to, because I guess I have left life take ahold of me and I have joined a modified version of the Rat Race that is living in a capitalist society that sees production as a goal and not a means. But I digress. Banned Books Week is always my starting point to planning what books I am going to read the rest of the year. And I make sure that some I get from my local library and some I go ahead and buy. Because I put my money where my mouth is. 

From the top ten most challenged books of 2020, there are some that have been part of my readings for years, books that I've read and re-read because there's always something that jumps at me every time I revisit them: To Kill a Mockingbird, Of Mice and Men, The Bluest Eye. Oh yeah, some of the books we read in high school are in that list of Banned Books. Because the powers that be have decided they have a White Savior, profanity, racial slurs, sexually explicit or considered to be anti-police. I bet many of you still have these books laying around the house. These books should be read over and over, with a critical eye, because their message is always relevant.

I strongly recommend you read The Hate U Give, by Angie Thomas. It's a book that opens eyes and hearts. If you don't have time to read it now, watch the movie. Seeing the world from the eyes of a 16-year-old is an illuminating experience. 

If you have young people around you, try George, by Alex Gino. A book that was in my list last year and that made me go to the public library in Joliet for the first time. It was an experience, getting my library card, but one that was worthy because I really liked the book. 

The top three books I'm going to be looking for this year are:

Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Ibram X. Kendi and Jason Reynolds

Reasons: Banned and challenged because of author’s public statements, and because of claims that the book contains “selective storytelling incidents” and does not encompass racism against all people.

All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely

Reasons: Banned and challenged for profanity, drug use, and alcoholism, and because it was thought to promote anti-police views, contain divisive topics, and be “too much of a sensitive matter right now”.

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

Reasons: Banned, challenged, and restricted because it was thought to contain a political viewpoint and it was claimed to be biased against male students, and for the novel’s inclusion of rape and profanity

Are they going to be easy readings? I be they won't, easy readings are reserved for beach days. Will they make me woke? Probably not. That's not a thing, honey.  Will I gain insight after I read them? Most probably yes. Because reading about somebody's experience even if that experience is not mine, it does not mean that I have lost my time. It means I know more about the world now and that makes me a better informed person.

So there's that. Ready to celebrate Banned Books Week? Ready to go to your public library? Or maybe buy a book? (try buying directly from the author or independent or local bookstores, BTW. Yes, I'm preachy). In any case, Happy Reading! And let me know if you read any of the top ten banned books from 2020. Remember, reading is FUNDAMENTAL.

XOXO

P.S.