Most thoughtful, powerful, succinct commentary I’ve read on banning ideas. This should be posted in every library and school. Thank you for the intelligent insights. Keep them coming!
As a public school teacher, thank you for this excellent commentary. As a science teacher, I hear many “ideas” from students that they believe are “truths”. Not having access to books or periodicals that open our eyes and minds is dangerous. I am thankful for your voice during this time in our country.
A year ago, I applied to my town's Library Board of Trustees. I didn’t hear back until yesterday! They called me for a brief interview, and they are reviewing a few applicants. But the interview went well and she said she would recommend me to the board. And then I open this article first thing this morning! It's like kismet. These are all the reasons I applied to the board in the first place. Thank you for articulating it so beautifully.
I love this. But also: just thinking about this as a practical debate, how does this tension still exist anymore? Screaming about library books feels quaint in 2025. Are the red-faced parents at school board meetings even arguing in good faith for their concerns? Because I have news for them: the hypothetical harms of any idea in any book on any library shelf can’t hold a candle to what their kids are absorbing every day in the first page of their internet, whether it’s social media or the news. I can’t imagine these concerned parents’ kids being encouraged to step foot into a library in the first place. Why are we sacrificing founding principles over something so laughably ineffective? (Probably because “concerned parents” are just the cover for a much deeper and sinister scheme to manufacture outrage against education?)
Agree with you. I have such a visceral reaction when I hear about libraries being challenged on book choices. I often think people complaining the most have rarely, if ever, stepped into a library. If they had they would know that the books on the shelves aren’t really all that different from 10, 20, 30, etc years ago.
“When we restrict the arteries of information, we train people to treat inquiry as suspicious. We grow a nation of permission seekers rather than a nation of critical thinkers.”
At this point in our history I don't trust the Supreme Court to decide this issue, so sadly, it may be best that they declined to hear the case from Texas. I don't remember how old I was when I first saw films made of book burning frenzied citizens of Germany during the rise of the Nazis, but those images are permanently etched in my mind and soul. We must protect the First Amendment. The alternative is too horrible to contemplate.
Thank you, Sharon for this essay. It clearly explains the dangerous point at which our country finds itself.
Teacher here - Can’t wait to quote this line when discussing liberty in my classroom: “Liberty is not the promise you will never encounter information that offends you. It’s a promise that you are trusted to encounter it anyway, and remain free enough to decide what you will do with it.” Thank you!
As I read this commentary my mind raced back in time. To points in my life where I encountered books, articles and essays that profoundly impacted who I am. I remembered the 7th grade English teacher who introduced me to a series of books that ignited my passion to read. I remembered the school librarian who knew what I enjoyed reading and let me know whenever a new addition was made to the collection. I remembered graduate school where I read books I normally wouldn’t give 5 minutes to, but as part of assigned readings I discovered new things. I was made to think and explore. I was made to decide how these ideas fit into my way of life as well as humanity. I’ve read and seen some things I found unacceptable. But, I’m still better for being able to make that decision for myself. And that is what this argument is all about.
So poignant. Libraries are so special. Growing up, it was the one safe space where I wasn't given a curriculum to follow and I could explore different genres, authors, and stories.
This is such a powerful commentary. As I've tried to navigate these conversations with my extremist family members who want this kind of "protection," it always ends with the realization that they simply do not trust teaching, context, or individual discernment. They have seen critical thinking lead people out of the controlling belief system they themselves cling to, so they willingly sacrifice our freedom. It all boils down to the fact that they hold the humans they are "protecting" in such low esteem, capable of such evil if they are only able to think for themselves. (And conversely, what high regard they seemingly have for the humans controlling the flow of information!) What little faith these extremists know. If only they knew, really knew, that capital T Truth has weight. It doesn't have to be locked in a tightly closed fist. It won't fly away if you wrestle with it.
Oh, Sharon. I became a paid sunscriber just now so I could respond to this post. While I know I will enjoy benefits of membership in the months to come, I had to be able to respond to this most thoughtful essay. THANK YOU for speaking truth. THANK YOU for the good work you put into the world each and every day. Your voice is needed and appreciated. Keep going! With love from Tennessee,
Poignant and powerful words. Thank you for this. The last two paragraphs really drive it home.
"It’s simpler and faster to control the supply of information than to raise citizens who can think for themselves. But a free country must not require its citizens to live inside someone else’s level of comfort.
Liberty is not the promise you will never encounter information that offends you. It’s a promise that you are trusted to encounter it anyway, and remain free enough to decide what you will do with it."
My 9-year-old twins, son in particular, wanted to watch The American Revolution (Ken Burns). As we watched the first episode today, I was thinking how we’ve started moving backwards a hell of a lot faster than it took to get where we are. I want my kids to see and understand this.
Most thoughtful, powerful, succinct commentary I’ve read on banning ideas. This should be posted in every library and school. Thank you for the intelligent insights. Keep them coming!
As a public school teacher, thank you for this excellent commentary. As a science teacher, I hear many “ideas” from students that they believe are “truths”. Not having access to books or periodicals that open our eyes and minds is dangerous. I am thankful for your voice during this time in our country.
A year ago, I applied to my town's Library Board of Trustees. I didn’t hear back until yesterday! They called me for a brief interview, and they are reviewing a few applicants. But the interview went well and she said she would recommend me to the board. And then I open this article first thing this morning! It's like kismet. These are all the reasons I applied to the board in the first place. Thank you for articulating it so beautifully.
I love this. But also: just thinking about this as a practical debate, how does this tension still exist anymore? Screaming about library books feels quaint in 2025. Are the red-faced parents at school board meetings even arguing in good faith for their concerns? Because I have news for them: the hypothetical harms of any idea in any book on any library shelf can’t hold a candle to what their kids are absorbing every day in the first page of their internet, whether it’s social media or the news. I can’t imagine these concerned parents’ kids being encouraged to step foot into a library in the first place. Why are we sacrificing founding principles over something so laughably ineffective? (Probably because “concerned parents” are just the cover for a much deeper and sinister scheme to manufacture outrage against education?)
Agree with you. I have such a visceral reaction when I hear about libraries being challenged on book choices. I often think people complaining the most have rarely, if ever, stepped into a library. If they had they would know that the books on the shelves aren’t really all that different from 10, 20, 30, etc years ago.
“When we restrict the arteries of information, we train people to treat inquiry as suspicious. We grow a nation of permission seekers rather than a nation of critical thinkers.”
Amazing and profound.
“We trade the comfort of control for the liberty of choice” ~ yes! Thanks for a great article!
At this point in our history I don't trust the Supreme Court to decide this issue, so sadly, it may be best that they declined to hear the case from Texas. I don't remember how old I was when I first saw films made of book burning frenzied citizens of Germany during the rise of the Nazis, but those images are permanently etched in my mind and soul. We must protect the First Amendment. The alternative is too horrible to contemplate.
Thank you, Sharon for this essay. It clearly explains the dangerous point at which our country finds itself.
Teacher here - Can’t wait to quote this line when discussing liberty in my classroom: “Liberty is not the promise you will never encounter information that offends you. It’s a promise that you are trusted to encounter it anyway, and remain free enough to decide what you will do with it.” Thank you!
As I read this commentary my mind raced back in time. To points in my life where I encountered books, articles and essays that profoundly impacted who I am. I remembered the 7th grade English teacher who introduced me to a series of books that ignited my passion to read. I remembered the school librarian who knew what I enjoyed reading and let me know whenever a new addition was made to the collection. I remembered graduate school where I read books I normally wouldn’t give 5 minutes to, but as part of assigned readings I discovered new things. I was made to think and explore. I was made to decide how these ideas fit into my way of life as well as humanity. I’ve read and seen some things I found unacceptable. But, I’m still better for being able to make that decision for myself. And that is what this argument is all about.
So poignant. Libraries are so special. Growing up, it was the one safe space where I wasn't given a curriculum to follow and I could explore different genres, authors, and stories.
This is such a powerful commentary. As I've tried to navigate these conversations with my extremist family members who want this kind of "protection," it always ends with the realization that they simply do not trust teaching, context, or individual discernment. They have seen critical thinking lead people out of the controlling belief system they themselves cling to, so they willingly sacrifice our freedom. It all boils down to the fact that they hold the humans they are "protecting" in such low esteem, capable of such evil if they are only able to think for themselves. (And conversely, what high regard they seemingly have for the humans controlling the flow of information!) What little faith these extremists know. If only they knew, really knew, that capital T Truth has weight. It doesn't have to be locked in a tightly closed fist. It won't fly away if you wrestle with it.
Oh, Sharon. I became a paid sunscriber just now so I could respond to this post. While I know I will enjoy benefits of membership in the months to come, I had to be able to respond to this most thoughtful essay. THANK YOU for speaking truth. THANK YOU for the good work you put into the world each and every day. Your voice is needed and appreciated. Keep going! With love from Tennessee,
Laura
Poignant and powerful words. Thank you for this. The last two paragraphs really drive it home.
"It’s simpler and faster to control the supply of information than to raise citizens who can think for themselves. But a free country must not require its citizens to live inside someone else’s level of comfort.
Liberty is not the promise you will never encounter information that offends you. It’s a promise that you are trusted to encounter it anyway, and remain free enough to decide what you will do with it."
💯yes!
So eloquently written and such an important message. Thank you Sharon!
A beautiful and true piece.
My 9-year-old twins, son in particular, wanted to watch The American Revolution (Ken Burns). As we watched the first episode today, I was thinking how we’ve started moving backwards a hell of a lot faster than it took to get where we are. I want my kids to see and understand this.