Book Bans Are Fascist

Summary

The video script discusses the rising trend of book banning in U.S. schools, particularly focusing on Florida's legislative actions. It examines how censorship, disguised as 'parental rights,' targets books addressing race, LGBTQ identities, and historical injustices, effectively limiting educational access. The script draws parallels to past cultural backlashes and highlights the negative impact on students' intellectual development. The speaker calls for increased activism, such as supporting organizations like PEN America and voting for pro-freedom of speech candidates, to combat these book bans and protect students' access to diverse educational materials.

Takeaways

• 😀 Book bans in the U.S. are a response to social progress, such as racial justice and LGBTQ+ rights, mirroring past cultural backlashes to urbanization and industrialization.
• 📚 Current censorship efforts are driven by a minority of parents and political figures who seek to control what children learn, often under the guise of 'parental rights' and 'protecting children.'
• 🚫 Florida has implemented state-mandated librarian training to vet books, but this raises concerns about government-imposed censorship and limits to intellectual freedom.
• 🤔 Arbitrary rules like considering if a book can be read aloud in public serve to restrict access to important educational materials, often without clear standards.
• 📖 Books addressing topics like puberty or LGBTQ+ identities, which may be deemed uncomfortable, can be essential for children’s development and understanding of their bodies and society.
• 💔 Book bans disproportionately target books by or about Black, non-white, and LGBTQ+ authors, often focusing on race and identity, reflecting a fear of confronting uncomfortable truths about history.
• ⚖️ New laws, such as those in Iowa, allow parents to sue schools and libraries over 'obscene' materials, creating a chilling effect that could severely limit educational content.
• 👩‍🏫 Educators, librarians, and schools face the threat of prison time and lawsuits if they provide materials deemed inappropriate, which could lead to self-censorship and reduced access to diverse ideas.
• ⚔️ The current wave of book banning is not about protecting children, but about imposing a specific political agenda that seeks to control the narrative about American identity and history.
• 🗳️ The speaker encourages viewers to get involved in local education, support organizations like PEN America, and advocate for freedom of expression in schools to combat book bans and censorship.

Q & A

What historical periods does the speaker reference to illustrate the concept of backlash against progress?

The speaker references periods such as the backlash to urbanization and industrialization in the late 1800s, the professionalization of history during the Great Depression, and the counterculture movements of the 1960s and 70s. These are used to show how societal progress often meets resistance from those benefiting from the status quo.

What is the primary concern the speaker raises about the recent backlash to education?

The speaker expresses concern that the backlash is specifically against teaching children about uncomfortable historical truths, particularly related to race and marginalized groups. This resistance is seen as a way to prevent white children from feeling uncomfortable about America’s past.

What does the speaker mean by 'indoctrination' in the context of the Florida laws?

The speaker argues that the laws targeting 'indoctrination' are not really about protecting children from harmful ideas, but rather about preventing them from being exposed to diverse perspectives, particularly those that challenge a conservative worldview.

How does the speaker describe the new training for Florida librarians?

The speaker criticizes the new training for Florida librarians, which is designed to help them vet books according to state guidelines. This training is criticized as vague and arbitrary, with little clarity on what qualifies as acceptable or inappropriate content for children.

What arbitrary rule does the speaker highlight about 'age-appropriateness' in books?

The speaker criticizes the arbitrary rule that books should only be deemed appropriate for children if they can be publicly read aloud. This rule is seen as impractical and overly simplistic, as it disregards the educational and developmental needs of children.

What impact do book bans have on school libraries, according to the speaker?

The speaker argues that book bans are causing a chilling effect on libraries, with many librarians and educators removing books to avoid legal repercussions or censorship. This leads to empty shelves and a loss of diverse educational materials for students.

What is the speaker’s opinion on the vague language of 'sensitive materials' in laws like the one passed in Utah?

The speaker views the vague language of 'sensitive materials' as a tool for censorship, as it provides little guidance to educators and librarians, leaving them fearful of inadvertently violating the law. This fear leads to self-censorship and limits students' access to important ideas.

What new bill in Iowa does the speaker highlight, and what are its potential consequences?

The speaker mentions a new bill in Iowa that would make it illegal for school or library staff to spread 'obscene' material to minors, with penalties including prison time and civil lawsuits. The bill would result in schools self-censoring to avoid lawsuits, leading to a loss of educational opportunities for students.

What legal action did PEN America take regarding book bans in Florida?

PEN America filed a lawsuit against Escambia County School District, arguing that the school district’s removal of books about race, racism, and LGBTQ identities violated the First Amendment and the Equal Protection Clause of the Constitution. The lawsuit contends that these books are disproportionately targeted because they represent marginalized communities.

How does the speaker suggest combating the growing trend of book bans?

The speaker recommends several actions: supporting organizations like PEN America, getting involved in school boards, encouraging children to read banned books, advocating against censorship, and voting for officials who support free speech and expression.