I don’t know about you, but normally I don’t care what others think about my reading habits. I’ve been an adult for decades, making my own choices as to what I read and watch.
You would think this state of affairs would continue. I mean, we’re grown women and men, right? Why would anyone care what books we read, or what movies or TV series we watch?
Well, unfortunately... it appears somebody does.
By now, you’ve probably heard of Project 2025. This is a deeply conservative - some would call it reactionary or worse - agenda that is being pushed on the general population by the current U.S. administration in the form of executive orders, as well as federal, state, and local legislation.
There’s a lot I could say about Project 2025. I actually began writing this post a few weeks ago, then work got busy. When I returned to this draft, so much had already taken place in the interim that I had to rethink this piece. In other words, I didn’t feel the need to sound the alarm so stridently a few weeks ago, but now, it’s a different story.
There are many different components to Project 2025 - all dangerous to civil liberties - but since this is a writing blog and we are all readers of books, I’ll just focus on that.
Book bans are a reality in the U.S., and have been for some time. And now the danger is even worse for everyone, including readers.
Here is Parkrose Permaculture’s YouTube video explaining the risks:
Another helpful video is Literati Medium’s video on Oklahoma State Bill 593.
If you’re in California like me, or maybe New York, or somewhere else where you think you’ll be safe from things like book bans, please think again. The people who support Project 2025 are pushing the limits to see how far they can get. They won’t stop until they hit an immovable object, i.e., us.
Not everyone has to march in the streets. You can sign petitions, call or email your representatives, hold bake sales, watch people’s children as they go out and protest, or volunteer your time and input in other ways.
Or you can contribute money to worthy causes. I have contributed to the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) for years. There are so many groups and organizations that could use whatever monetary support you can spare right now.
Finally, sometimes “protesting” or “resisting” can have a negative tinge. You’re fighting something, going against something. You can take more purely positive actions.
For example, I donate to Every Library. Every Library promotes reading, library funding, and free access to books, books of all kinds. That’s their mandate, and there are many organizations that promote the good stuff without making you feel like you’re picking up a pitchfork and a torch and going out into the streets. (In full transparency... Every Library also has a political advocacy function.)
Or you can volunteer at your local library. What we’re facing is serious, but I don’t think we have to focus completely on the negative. We can contribute by supporting the positive, too.
This is a critical moment in the U.S. I encourage everyone to research Project 2025 and take up the mantle however you see fit. I want us to continue to have the right to write, and to read, whatever we choose to. Let’s unite in our love of books and stand up however we can, because our rights are truly at stake.
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