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Defend the right to read and learn freely

May 2, 2023
Elected leaders at every level of government are denying people of all ages one of our most crucial freedoms, we must fight back.

There’s a coordinated attack to diminish the power and importance of diversity, restrict our ability to self-educate, and deny people in our community access to literature and resources that reflect the identities and experiences of marginalized groups.

Whether it’s outright banning literature that discusses race and sexuality like Alice Walker’s “The Color Purple” or gender identity like George M. Johnson’s “All Boys Aren’t Blue” from school libraries, our elected leaders at every level of government are denying people of all ages one of our most crucial freedoms: the right to read and learn.

There’s a coordinated attack to diminish the power and importance of diversity, restrict our ability to self-educate, and deny people in our community access to literature and resources that reflect the identities and experiences of marginalized groups.

Whether it’s outright banning literature that discusses race and sexuality like Alice Walker’s “The Color Purple” or gender identity like George M. Johnson’s “All Boys Aren’t Blue” from school libraries, our elected leaders at every level of government are denying people of all ages one of our most crucial freedoms: the right to read and learn.

Here is a selection of resources to help you defend your right to read and learn. 

Commit to the fight

Join the fight against classroom censorship and help us ensure every single person in our state has the ability to read and learn freely. 

By adding your name, you are telling lawmakers nationwide that you oppose any efforts that would criminalize or censor books and education about race, gender, or sexual orientation – and that you support students, educators, and everyone's fundamental right to learn.

Join us in this critical fight for free speech and equitable education. Take our pledge today and when you do, we'll send you our Right to Learn toolkit directly to your inbox.

Add your name
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Learn More 

Educate yourself on classroom censorship and effective tactics to defend the right to read and learn.

At Liberty Podcast: Their Memoir is one of the Most Banned Books in America 

Over the past two years, we’ve seen a dramatic increase in the number of books being banned or challenged in school districts across the country. While there’s a long history of book banning and censorship in America, over the 2021 to 2022 school year, book banning reached an unprecedented high.

Listen to the episode

Pop Quiz: How Much Do You Know About Classroom Censorship? 

This year, the country has seen a staggering number of policies censoring classroom discussions around topics like race, sex, and gender identity. Coupled with these efforts are bans on books that also center around these subjects — bans which hinder students’ ability to learn and talk about these critical topics that impact their daily lives. 

In order to protect our right to learn, we must recognize that these policies hinder people’s understanding of their country’s history, the world and communities around them, and themselves. We must also celebrate the literary works that take on these topics.  

Test Your Knowledge

Blog: How to Start a Banned Book Club 

Ella Scott, student and co-founder of her high school’s Banned Book Club, tells us what inspired her to take action and shares advice on how to combat book bans in your own school. 

Read Ella’s Story

Right to Learn: Your Guide to Combatting Classroom Censorship 

Here is a comprehensive ACLU toolkit to help you fight against censorship in your schools and communities. These resources are designed for further understanding of who passes laws that affect your education and how you can take action to protect your right to learn.  

Explore to learn more about how you can reach out and get your demands heard.  

Learn More

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