1. United States
2. Mass.
3. Letter

There is a concerning and damaging trend of book bans and censorship spreading across the country that threatens the freedom to read and access knowledge. These bans overwhelmingly target books by authors of color, LGBTQ+ authors, and books that address important issues like racism, identity, and social justice. Removing these books from school libraries and curriculums deprives students, especially marginalized groups, of chances to see themselves reflected and to build empathy. It also impedes education on crucial topics in our diverse society. Censorship has no place in public education. Students deserve access to a wide range of perspectives and ideas to develop critical thinking skills. These bans often rely on misinformation and moral panic while violating First Amendment rights. They harm all children by promoting narrow-mindedness over open and honest dialogue. We should be equipping the next generation with the tools to grapple with complex realities, not shielding them through suppression of ideas. I urge you to take a firm stance against this alarming censorship trend and advocate for policies that keep books on the shelves and curriculums inclusive. The freedom to read underpins learning itself - we cannot sacrifice it for the sake of some parents' discomfort with difficult but necessary subject matter. Please defend students' rights to access a full range of literature and knowledge.