Rep. Ayanna Pressley Takes on Book Bans with an Act
In a move to counter the growing trend of Republican-led efforts to ban books discussing race, gender, and sexuality, Democrat Ayanna Pressley has introduced a new bill called the Books Save Lives Act.
“This legislation comes in response to the widespread push to limit the reading materials available to students under the guise of combatting what some call “woke indoctrination.” ~ the congress.
Pressley presented the bill during a speech on Thursday morning, outlining its key objectives. The Books Save Lives Act is designed to challenge conservative book bans by classifying them as federal civil rights violations.
It also advocates for schools and libraries to diversify their collections, ensuring they include books from a range of authors and covering various topics.
Recent attempts by far-right lawmakers, including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, have sought to restrict students from accessing books that delve into topics related to race, gender, and sexuality. Representative Pressley expressed concern about the impact of these bans on marginalized communities, stating, “Rather than honor the brilliance and diversity of our authors, illustrators, and librarians, Republicans are focused on further marginalizing people who already face systemic discrimination in our society.”
The Books Save Lives Act proposes practical measures to counter local and state book ban laws. It calls for specific public libraries and school libraries receiving federal financial assistance to maintain collections that cover underrepresented groups or are authored by individuals from these groups.
The bill goes further by categorizing book bans as discriminatory, potentially violating laws such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, or the Education Amendments of 1972.
The legislation applies to public libraries and schools controlled by local governments that receive federal financial assistance. Underrepresented community members, as defined by the bill, include those belonging to racial or ethnic minority groups, LGBTQ+ individuals, members of religious minorities, or people with disabilities.
Highlighting the urgency of the matter, Pressley’s initiative comes on the heels of a notable increase in book bans during the 2022-23 school year. According to a report by PEN America, there were 3,362 reported incidents nationally, targeting 1,557 books.
Florida took the lead in the number of bans, followed by Texas, Missouri, Utah, and Pennsylvania. The Books Save Lives Act aligns with California’s response to GOP efforts to censor titles by outright banning book bans in the state.
The proposed legislation includes a significant provision requiring the Comptroller General of the United States to generate a report on the impact of these book bans on underrepresented groups across the country.
This not only sheds light on the consequences of such bans but also emphasizes the importance of diverse literature in shaping perspectives and fostering inclusivity.
Pressley, during her speech, underscored the transformative power of literature by sharing a personal anecdote. She spoke about how Maya Angelou’s “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” helped her navigate and overcome childhood sexual abuse.
“It was the first time in my life I knew I was not alone, and it helped me move forward. So when I say that books save lives, I mean that” Pressley passionately stated.
The push for the bill underscores the ongoing importance of fostering a broad literary landscape in US schools and libraries.
