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Oct. 10th, 2023 09:40 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
shadowkat1. Banned Books - Why you should read these 51 banned books now
As journalists, it's our job to seek out the truth even when it's uncomfortable. We value diverse perspectives, are open to new ideas and respect intellectual freedom. So it should come as no surprise that the thought of banning a book would make us riled.
What happens when a book is challenged in school boards and public libraries? Titles can be removed from school curriculums or library shelves. Most public schools and libraries have boards made up of elected officials or members appointed by elected officials. It is by the power of these officials that a book can go from challenged to banned in a school district or public library. Even if it happens only once, it is one time too many.
Sure, there is the argument that we can bypass places such as public libraries and purchase a book. But that is true only for those with the financial resources to do that. For many, particularly children and young adults, school and public libraries are the only means to access literature.
With that in mind, USA TODAY staff looked at challenged and banned books and chose those that are meaningful to them. In the books' defense, we've written why they deserve a place in our schools, libraries and society.
I've read roughly half of them. I really despise book banners.
2. "The News Today - Oh Boy..."
Mother: What's the name of your brother's friend who wears the jeans and white shirts? Brenda?
Me: No, Debra.
Mother: well, apparently she has several family members being held hostage in Gaza right now. They were over there visiting or something. It doesn't look like any of them will get out alive.
Me: Oh.
I've been avoiding the news on this.
But that's horrible. It kind of brought it home in a way that I'd not considered since well...COVID.
Six Degrees of Separation or but for the grace of god go I.
Meanwhile - NYC has upped its security and there's protests in Manhattan from both sides of the conflict.
Also? NYC went to the Federal government for help with the Venzeulan migrant crisis. We don't have the space of over 1 million migrants. They are sending two to three thousand people by bus to NYC daily. Keep in mind NYC is already getting over a thousand immigrants from every country around the globe. We could probably do it - if we barred entry to everyone else.
Which is hardly fair. So, the Federal Government - realizing they couldn't send more aid, agreed to deport the migrants back to whence they've come, and to reinforce the wall.
It's sad, because Texas and Florida do have space. New York and Massachutus does not. But they are selfishly sending migrants to NY.
Anyhow per the news this morning, our esteemed Mayor, Eric Adams, visited Mexico and Columbia (he can't visit Venezuela) to see their point of view.
As I speed walked from the train station to the subway in a bit of brain fog, I walked past a man, a woman, and I think a small boy holding up a cardboard sign, which they tried to thrust at me as I passed. They were sitting next to an old decrepit church, nicely clothed. The sign said - or what I saw of it, since I didn't have the energy to stop, and was exhausted from work - "I Just Arrived...can you help?" There was more, but I did not stop.
My church is a sanctuary for Venezuelans. I've given money to it multiple times, and to other places in the city. And every single day I pass these people. Sleeping in the crevices of stations. A woman was asleep in a fold out chair inside Atlantic Terminal with her bags next to her. Another was asleep on the concrete sidewalk outside the Air Plane building in Jamaica, a blanket over her, with bags next to her.
It's exhausting. If I had a magic wand, I'd evenly disperse all the wealth and food and housing across every human on the planet. But I don't.
3. I'm tired. Yawning most of the day. And my body aches. Maybe it's the weather? Also feel a general sort of malaise. I am looking forward to seeing my mother in South Carolina next week. (Note this journal will be on hiatus from October 14 to October 21, assuming everything goes well. I don't have access to a computer any longer at mother's - she got rid of hers and just uses her tablet and phone. And I'm not bringing down the lap top if I can avoid it. I need a week without the computer anyhow. This could help with the malaise actually. Also work burn out. I've not taken a full week off since well...December of last year? I need more than a week, but that's not doable this year. I will ensure it happens next year.)
Work is...sigh.
One of the projects got pushed out again.
And we'll see about the other two. I did manage to get Babs, CG, and MA to cover my projects when I'm gone. So there's that.
As journalists, it's our job to seek out the truth even when it's uncomfortable. We value diverse perspectives, are open to new ideas and respect intellectual freedom. So it should come as no surprise that the thought of banning a book would make us riled.
What happens when a book is challenged in school boards and public libraries? Titles can be removed from school curriculums or library shelves. Most public schools and libraries have boards made up of elected officials or members appointed by elected officials. It is by the power of these officials that a book can go from challenged to banned in a school district or public library. Even if it happens only once, it is one time too many.
Sure, there is the argument that we can bypass places such as public libraries and purchase a book. But that is true only for those with the financial resources to do that. For many, particularly children and young adults, school and public libraries are the only means to access literature.
With that in mind, USA TODAY staff looked at challenged and banned books and chose those that are meaningful to them. In the books' defense, we've written why they deserve a place in our schools, libraries and society.
I've read roughly half of them. I really despise book banners.
2. "The News Today - Oh Boy..."
Mother: What's the name of your brother's friend who wears the jeans and white shirts? Brenda?
Me: No, Debra.
Mother: well, apparently she has several family members being held hostage in Gaza right now. They were over there visiting or something. It doesn't look like any of them will get out alive.
Me: Oh.
I've been avoiding the news on this.
But that's horrible. It kind of brought it home in a way that I'd not considered since well...COVID.
Six Degrees of Separation or but for the grace of god go I.
Meanwhile - NYC has upped its security and there's protests in Manhattan from both sides of the conflict.
Also? NYC went to the Federal government for help with the Venzeulan migrant crisis. We don't have the space of over 1 million migrants. They are sending two to three thousand people by bus to NYC daily. Keep in mind NYC is already getting over a thousand immigrants from every country around the globe. We could probably do it - if we barred entry to everyone else.
Which is hardly fair. So, the Federal Government - realizing they couldn't send more aid, agreed to deport the migrants back to whence they've come, and to reinforce the wall.
It's sad, because Texas and Florida do have space. New York and Massachutus does not. But they are selfishly sending migrants to NY.
Anyhow per the news this morning, our esteemed Mayor, Eric Adams, visited Mexico and Columbia (he can't visit Venezuela) to see their point of view.
As I speed walked from the train station to the subway in a bit of brain fog, I walked past a man, a woman, and I think a small boy holding up a cardboard sign, which they tried to thrust at me as I passed. They were sitting next to an old decrepit church, nicely clothed. The sign said - or what I saw of it, since I didn't have the energy to stop, and was exhausted from work - "I Just Arrived...can you help?" There was more, but I did not stop.
My church is a sanctuary for Venezuelans. I've given money to it multiple times, and to other places in the city. And every single day I pass these people. Sleeping in the crevices of stations. A woman was asleep in a fold out chair inside Atlantic Terminal with her bags next to her. Another was asleep on the concrete sidewalk outside the Air Plane building in Jamaica, a blanket over her, with bags next to her.
It's exhausting. If I had a magic wand, I'd evenly disperse all the wealth and food and housing across every human on the planet. But I don't.
3. I'm tired. Yawning most of the day. And my body aches. Maybe it's the weather? Also feel a general sort of malaise. I am looking forward to seeing my mother in South Carolina next week. (Note this journal will be on hiatus from October 14 to October 21, assuming everything goes well. I don't have access to a computer any longer at mother's - she got rid of hers and just uses her tablet and phone. And I'm not bringing down the lap top if I can avoid it. I need a week without the computer anyhow. This could help with the malaise actually. Also work burn out. I've not taken a full week off since well...December of last year? I need more than a week, but that's not doable this year. I will ensure it happens next year.)
Work is...sigh.
One of the projects got pushed out again.
And we'll see about the other two. I did manage to get Babs, CG, and MA to cover my projects when I'm gone. So there's that.
no subject
Date: 2023-10-11 08:16 am (UTC)And I am really sorry to hear that those family members of Debra are caught up in that horrible situation in Israel 😞
no subject
Date: 2023-10-12 01:23 am (UTC)It's frustrating.
And thank you.
no subject
Date: 2023-10-12 12:23 am (UTC)Texas has a total of four SW border sectors. So... everything is being stretched waaaaaaaaaay thin.
I'm not trying to justify the way in which Gov. Abbott has handled displacing migrants. But expecting border states like Texas to do all of the heavy lifting is not a viable pattern.
To make it even more political, one reason for the Republican party's successful advances within the Hispanic population along the Texas-Mexico border is how those counties are struggling, in part due to the influx of immigrants.
no subject
Date: 2023-10-12 01:15 am (UTC)There is no excuse for not having these programs in place. Texas should have them in place as should Florida, and all the States. They have the resources, they just utilize them in an inefficient manner. Want to know why Texas and Florida do not have them in place? Greed. Basic human greed.
They don't want to raise taxes which in turn fund social programs. NY State has the highest property and income taxes in the US - it also has the most social programs. Texas and Florida have low property taxes and income taxes.
It's basically SAS = Selfish Asshole Syndrome.
Texas has an outdated grid - because they refuse to spend the resources to update it. Or spend any funds on infrastructure. Instead they'd rather spend money on football. They have a great football program but not a lot else.