Unveiling the Necessity of Diverse Books: A Clarion Call for Inclusive Narratives

When I first got glasses, I remember feeling a sense of shock. Everything was so clear and crisp, and at first, it felt almost too much. Was this what the world really looked like? Well, I feel like that's what's happening with many of the people who want to ban books. It's like they just got forced to put on a pair of glasses.

Empowering the Next Generation through Diverse Narratives

Seeing the World through a Clearer Lens

The books they want banned are books that show heroes can be any race or gender, stories that tell the untold but true history of our country, and stories that let kids feel and see their own world and the worlds outside of their own. Seeing all that so clearly is uncomfortable, but it is also very necessary. To kids, the books that are being banned are like the glasses I wear. Just like when I looked at a tree and could finally see every leaf, these books help kids look at their community and see every human. These books can give them a clear, truer view of the world all around us.

The Consequences of Banning Diverse Books

The people who are trying to ban books are, in a sense, trying to withhold glasses from a whole generation of kids. Banning these books will permanently damage their perception of the world to the extent that they cannot — will not — recognize the humanity of their own communities. This is a heartbreaking reality that we must confront head-on.

The Sacrificing of Community for Intolerance

Two years ago, in Jamestown, Michigan, because the library there would not censor LGBTQ+ themed books, residents voted to de-fund it. As of now, the library is dependent on outside donations. If a new measure is not passed this election, it's possible the area will be without this community space. The ultimate heartbreaking message the original voters seemed to send is — we would rather sacrifice community than see that LGBTQ+ people are human.

Overcoming the Fear of Diversity

The refusal to see others hurts us all. We must not just push back against book banners, but we must also push back our fear of them. We must not quietly choose different books because we are afraid someone might get upset, because it is easier, or because we don't want to make waves. We must instead support educators and booksellers who are under attack.

Empowering the Next Generation through Diverse Books

And, most of all, we must try to get as many of these diverse books to as many kids as possible, so that they can see the world as it truly is. These books can be a transformative tool, empowering the next generation to embrace diversity, challenge biases, and build a more inclusive society.