Letter to the Editor: Speak out to protect books
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I am writing because I am surprised by my fellow citizens of West Virginia. Right now, individuals are trying to take away our freedom of access to information that is afforded to us by the Constitution of the United States. They are trying to ban materials from our public schools and libraries and censor material to be taught in the public schools.
I have been watching news stories about what has been happening in states like Texas and Florida. I have spoken with teachers from Florida who explained that their school and classroom libraries have been stripped of books, limiting choices for students. In all instances, people outside the public school or public library are questioning what is appropriate to house there and to have available for people to use, usurping the expertise of teachers and librarians.
West Virginians have a reputation for being strongly independent and outspoken. I am wondering why I am not hearing a strong outcry from people whose rights are being ripped from them. An outspoken minority of people are decrying books, especially those that involve racial and LGBTQ+ issues or characters. If parents are concerned about what their children are reading, they can always disallow their children to read that book. But that is where it should stop. One parent, one individual, should not deny access to all students, all citizens based on their beliefs about a book.
When I have expressed my concern about the rise in the number of book challenges and bans, most are surprised. Many have responded with the immediate image of burning books and exclaiming that we have not reached that point in our country.
Well, not yet.
We, in West Virginia, need to take notice of what some others are trying to do to our rights and speak up. We cannot assume that these challenges to our intellectual freedom will just go away. They have not in other states.
Do we want to relinquish the ability to choose what we read?
My answer is no. I want to choose for myself.
Please, my fellow West Virginians, let your voices be heard about this issue. Speak up at school board meetings, contact your legislators, and discuss this issue with your neighbors. Research the candidates and vote for the ones who will protect your and your children's constitutional rights.
Linda Hindman
Vienna