FORT WAYNE, Ind. (ADAMS) – Books that have faced criticism and even been banned in U.S. schools are the subject of a new push by the Fort Wayne Urban League (FWUL). In an effort to bring awareness to themes such as race and sexuality in literature in these books – they will be handing them out for free.
It’s part of the “Freedom to Learn” campaign. Together with the National Urban League, the branch in Fort Wayne has a goal to pass out at least 500 books that have been banned in schools.
The FWUL released the following:
The Fort Wayne Urban League is joining the National Urban League to support the “Freedom to Learn” campaign. FWUL is committed to passing out 500 banned book titles to community members.
The first 100 books will be passed out Saturday, June 17th at McMillan Park during the Juneteenth Macknificent Freedom Fest from 1:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Books will also be available: 1. Monday – Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. at the FWUL office; 2135 S. Hanna Street as inventory allows. 2. Provided to FWUL STEM Camp participants July 10th – July 20th. 3. Provided during FWUL tutoring sessions with local youth. 4. Provided during free reading hours. (TBD)
Schools across the country banned nearly 1,650 individual books in the last school year, most of them because they include themes about race and sexuality. Among the titles deemed to be too dangerous for children to read are Toni Morrison’s novel The Bluest Eye, which explores “the devastating effects of racism and self-hatred on young black girls in America:” Ibran X. Kendi’s Antiracist Baby, a guide to discussing racism with young children; and Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, for which earned author Mildred D. Taylor the Newberry Medal, presented for, “the most distinguished contributions to American Literature for children.”
Access to truthful history, diverse books and critical ideas for students and educators are crucial to the nation’s history as a multicultural democracy. The so-called “War on Wokeness” threatens to eradicate decades of progress toward racial justice, by warping our view of the nation’s past, and thwart our future progress toward an equitable, multicultural society.
The FWUL encourages donations to support the “Freedom to Learn” campaign through PayPal by visiting our website at: www.fwurbanleague.org and has hope to surpass the 500-book goal.
