The M4L: The Issue Of Banning Books In Schools

The rain falls in the background as I snuggle up with a book and a cup of coffee. I open my book and enter a world of magic. I read and read the book. Not understanding how this book is banned in schools, it is wonderful. Book banning, a type of censorship, is when authorities remove books from public libraries, bookstore shelves, and even online. A big debate happening right now is censorship in schools. Books are being removed from reading lists and teachers are not allowed to read the books they picked because they are deemed inappropriate. Typically, books are not banned because the majority agrees upon the explicit content, but because a few people find them inappropriate. Censorship of books in school is a problem that may limit students'

These include books by activists like Martin Luther King Jr., books about the civil rights movement and even the “Diary of Anne Frank.” In which the latter has truly helped open the eyes of many as it is read by almost everyone who has a public education. The M4L has even influenced new censorship laws, even though their journey only began in 2021 they have accomplished so much by being loud by being there and persistent. They are known for “infiltrating local school boards, which can implement library and curriculum policies, and “flooding” district leaders with incessant requests to ban certain books.” So as a reading community, why can we not do the same, just the opposite (Glaad)? The Mothers of Liberty is only one of the many similar groups working to ban books in schools. Parents may be wondering how they are supposed to protect their children from these topics if the schools will not do it for them when the answer is a simple

Not only does this demonstrate resistance, but it also allows additional insight into why the book may be banned. Even just reaching out to local librarians can create change. One or two people can quickly turn into 7,12,16,... Soon there was a whole new organization to help stop book banning, and it started simply with a concerned parent and librarian. It is all about taking action, having a voice, and using the First Amendment right to express new ideas. “Let readers be leaders” is the motto of Martha Hickinson, a school librarian who after hearing completely compelling and false statements about books at a school board meeting rallied and gathered around four hundred other people against the ban to speak out. There were speeches by adults and even students, and the fight dragged on where Hickinson received an immense amount of hate but in the end, the book was restored. This is a demonstration of how one person can change a lot. Overall, book banning is an ongoing issue happening right now. It is not only happening in schools, but at a national level. It hides topics of gender, race, and sexuality; it even hides books of our history in