My social media engagement is minimal because at the end of my life I won't think, "I should have spent more time on social media." Earlier this week some comments from accounts that I don't follow and don't follow me commented on my "We Are a Book Sanctuary" photo showing books wrapped in solid-colored paper; no titles/authors/genres, no text at all beyond the letters spelling out the phrase from a display at a local library branch 5 months ago. Rather than responding to or blocking them, I'm sharing my thoughts here.
[screen shot from the Unite Against Book Bans website homepage with their open book logo in the upper left corner and "Unite in Your Community" links to resources to defend books from censorship]
Engaging with social media every day isn't my usual pattern so it took a day or two for me to see these.
If I were to reply to these accounts, here's what I'd write:
Since you needed 5 months to compose a one-word comment, maybe spend more time reading the assorted books and accessing the vast educational, intellectually engaging, and entertainment resources that inspire empathy and critical thinking at public libraries instead of falsely maligning its services. Maybe then you'll be able to articulate more eloquent and coherent fact-based, truthful arguments beyond immature, irrelevant name-calling and screen shots of legalese without any substantiated context. Miracles happen every day. Bless your heart.
And here are my speculations:
Is it a coincidence that during the week an executive order to defund public libraries and museums was signed, then suddenly 5 months after my "We Are a Book Sanctuary" post to formerly-twitter about a display at my local library branch, multiple accounts that had never engaged with me felt compelled to leave nasty accusatory replies to it? Probably not.
Uninformed people who can't think critically for themselves are much easier to mis/lead and control than people who can and consciously choose to do so.
Where are you, major book publishers?
This attack on funding public libraries and museums is a direct hit to your bottom line. So if you won't fight for their cultural necessity due to ethical motivations, fight for your profitable business model. More on that some other day.
Any time authorities wield their power to limit access to legitimate, substantiated fact-based information resources, that's a warning sign of oppressive intentions.
The surge in book bans and other tactics of oppression is disturbing. Feeling overwhelmed is a reasonable response to these overwhelming circumstances. Overwhelming the resistance of the masses is the objective.
Breathe. Hydrate. Sleep. Eat the most nutritious food that's available to you. Exercise. Spend time with people you love who love you also. Then choose one issue that's important to you and choose one way to defend it. Connect with others who support actual freedom, safety, justice, good health and overall equality for every human being. We're in this fight together.
Public education: Are you able to call your city, county, state and/or federal representatives, and keep calling them? Attend school board meetings? Volunteer at your child's or neighborhood school?
Funding public libraries and museums: Same questions as above, plus have you ever considered being a docent (if your circumstances allow)?
Are you able to donate to organizations with a verified track record of serving people in need like NAACP, The Emancipator, Downtown Women's Center, I Support the Girls, American Library Association, Black People Will Swim, Water lust...?
Think about what you CAN do because that's a much more manageable list than what you can't do.
My enslaved ancestors fought for generations in order to make my whole life possible. Everything I am, every opportunity to read, to learn, to succeed or fail and try again and again, to relax, to enjoy, to thrive, to love - they suffered, endured, struggled, overcame to give me so much more than they ever received. They had physical, emotional, spiritual stamina. That inheritance sustains me, especially when I feel discouraged.
Always rooting for the manifestation of your divine purpose,
C.
P.S. A return to a joyful celebration of books tomorrow!
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