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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsThe fact this open letter by a former President is needed in 2023 makes me fear for our civilization
CHICAGO (July 17, 2023) Former President of the United States Barack Obama published an open letter on Monday, extending his support to Americas librarians in an era of rising book challenges and growing personal attacks against those who resist them.
In his letter, President Obama underscores the importance of communities being able to have access to information via libraries and expresses his and former First Lady Michelle Obamas gratitude to librarians for their unwavering commitment to the freedom to read.
View the full letter below.
To the dedicated and hardworking librarians of America:
In any democracy, the free exchange of ideas is an important part of making sure that citizens are informed, engaged and feel like their perspectives matter.
Its so important, in fact, that here in America, the First Amendment of our Constitution states that freedom begins with our capacity to share and access ideaseven, and maybe especially, the ones we disagree with.
More often than not, someone decides to write those ideas down in a book.
Books have always shaped how I experience the world. Writers like Mark Twain and Toni Morrison, Walt Whitman and James Baldwin taught me something essential about our countrys character. Reading about people whose lives were very different from mine showed me how to step into someone elses shoes. And the simple act of writing helped me develop my own identityall of which would prove vital as a citizen, as a community organizer, and as president.
Today, some of the books that shaped my lifeand the lives of so many othersare being challenged by people who disagree with certain ideas or perspectives. Its no coincidence that these banned books are often written by or feature people of color, indigenous people, and members of the LGBTQ+ communitythough there have also been unfortunate instances in which books by conservative authors or books containing triggering words or scenes have been targets for removal. Either way, the impulse seems to be to silence, rather than engage, rebut, learn from or seek to understand views that dont fit our own.
I believe such an approach is profoundly misguided, and contrary to what has made this country great. As Ive said before, not only is it important for young people from all walks of life to see themselves represented in the pages of books, but its also important for all of us to engage with different ideas and points of view.
Its also important to understand that the world is watching. If Americaa nation built on freedom of expressionallows certain voices and ideas to be silenced, why should other countries go out of their way to protect them? Ironically, it is Christian and other religious textsthe sacred texts that some calling for book bannings in this country claim to want to defendthat have often been the first target of censorship and book banning efforts in authoritarian countries.
Nobody understands that more than you, our nations librarians. In a very real sense, youre on the front linesfighting every day to make the widest possible range of viewpoints, opinions, and ideas available to everyone. Your dedication and professional expertise allow us to freely read and consider information and ideas, and decide for ourselves which ones we agree with.
Thats why I want to take a moment to thank all of you for the work you do every daywork that is helping us understand each other and embrace our shared humanity.
And its not just about books. You also provide spaces where people can come together, share ideas, participate in community programs, and access essential civic and educational resources. Together, you help people become informed and active citizens, capable of making this country what they want it to be.
And you do it all in a harsh political climate where, all too often, youre attacked by people who either cannot or will not understand the vitaland uniquely Americanrole you play in the life of our nation.
So, whether you just started working at a school or public library, or youve been there your entire career, Michelle and I want to thank you for your unwavering commitment to the freedom to read. All of us owe you a debt of gratitude for making sure readers across the country have access to a wide range of books, and all the ideas they contain.
Finally, to every citizen reading this, I hope youll join me in reminding anyone who will listenand even some people you think might notthat the free, robust exchange of ideas has always been at the heart of American democracy. Together, we can make that true for generations to come.
With gratitude,
Barack
President Obamas letter was published online and shared across his social media channels, followed by a note encouraging followers to support the American Library Associations intellectual freedom advocacy campaign, Unite Against Book Bans. For more information, visit www.ala.org.
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https://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2023/07/president-obama-extends-support-american-librarians-open-letter
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The fact this open letter by a former President is needed in 2023 makes me fear for our civilization (Original Post)
kpete
Jul 2023
OP
I believe this letter from Pres. Obama will encourage folks to stand tall against the
riversedge
Jul 2023
#2
FalloutShelter
(12,034 posts)1. This is how MY former President
thinks and acts, with intellect, and class. Barack Obama is a patriot.
riversedge
(70,946 posts)2. I believe this letter from Pres. Obama will encourage folks to stand tall against the
book bans.
Blue Owl
(51,154 posts)3. Thank You President Obama
LoisB
(7,337 posts)4. Thank you, President Obama.
spanone
(136,212 posts)5. 👍🏼...K&R...👍🏼