Free the Books! | Jessica Young | TEDxLone Star College

Book Banning Crisis - The industry acknowledges a significant surge in book banning in US public school libraries, with over 10,000 books banned last year, tripling the number from the previous year [1] - The industry notes that these bans often target books addressing topics like sex, religion, race, gender, and feelings [1] - The industry emphasizes that book bans are frequently driven by small, well-funded groups relying on fear rather than facts, leading to sweeping removals by school boards [1] Impact of Book Banning - The industry suggests that banning books restricts nuance, empathy, and the right for families to choose what's right for them [1] - The industry highlights that banned books can serve as mirrors for children to see themselves or as windows to learn about others, and banning them deprives children of these opportunities [2] Call to Action - The industry advocates for reading banned books and discussing them to understand why they might be uncomfortable or what they could teach [1][2] - The industry encourages participation in local school board meetings to question book removals and support librarians [8] - The industry promotes teaching children and adults to be comfortable with discomfort, as growth happens when wrestling with hard truths [8]