Apostasy!
The Republican Right humiliated and punished all but its true believers, in a purge that left it less responsive to a changing world, and undercut broad support. Is the Left repeating the play?
US Eyes TikTok Ban While Books are Pulled From Hong Kong Libraries
A ban seems a bit like using a meat cleaver where a scalpel might be more appropriate. I’m also troubled by the potential message a TikTok ban sends; we want to encourage China to be more protective of and open to free speech, especially in light of the troubling shift toward censorship in Hong Kong. Can we really do that if we are banning their apps? By banning their apps, are we taking steps in that same direction?
Intellectual Freedom News 7/31/20
DHS authorizes domestic surveillance to protect statues and monuments; Internet Archive answers publishers’ copyright lawsuit; and FTRF hosts webinar on collecting and protecting LGBTQ+ materials and programs
Every Canceller Its Book, and Every Book Its Canceller
Harper’s Magazine recently ran an open letter calling for the reestablishment of open debate in this culture war being fought on the front lines of social media. It was refreshing to learn of a written rebuttal to this open letter, but the cause would benefit more if you didn’t read it at all.
Intellectual Freedom News 7/27/20
Highlight Holding Space: A national conversation series with libraries Privacy and Cybersecurity Private ways to access books on sensitive subjects at Tiffin-Seneca Public Library | Advertiser-Tribune (OH) Building Anti-Surveillance Ed-Tech […]
‘The Right of a Woman to Her Own Person:’ Interview with ‘Jane Against the World’ Author Karen Blumenthal
Abortion rights is a topic that some teachers may choose to avoid or be prohibited from teaching. Karen Blumenthal’s latest book, “Jane Against the World,” provides students with a well-researched and nuanced history of reproductive rights in America, connecting to larger issues of poverty, racism, and gender and workplace discrimination. Learn more about the censorship she experienced while researching Texas state documents as well as experiences with censorship related to her books.
Intellectual Freedom News 7/17/2020
Strong libraries are essential to the recovery of communities devastated by Covid19. To help guide communities and libraries along the path to recovery, ALA launched a curated, online repository of tools, guides and resources. #LibrariesStrong
Mat-Su, Maya, and Rape in Literature
By taking a look at Mat-Su’s recent censorship controversy, I consider why challenges to I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings and other books that address rape are so common—and how we might address concerns about sexual trauma in literature without banning or unfairly labeling books.
Intellectual Freedom News 7/10/2020
Through Community Connect, 20 rural public libraries will receive resources to support financial capability and internet access for their patrons for two years. Apply by August 26.
Teaching America’s Exceptionalism
The ongoing struggle to ensure racial justice in American society should prompt educators to take a closer look at the wording of history standards and the learning resources used by students. Then, collaborate with school librarians to provide students with a more accurate, complex look at history and current events.