Summer Reading For The Legislators

 

By Mary Reiman

Sometimes I think I should be more assertive with our state legislators. Call or write them more often with advice/suggestions. Be more generous and donate to their campaigns or buy them lunch. 

This year, I also should have purchased copies of several books, tied them together with a red, white and blue bow and a note, asking them to read, read, read this summer. Actually, I should have recommended these titles last summer, but I wasn't thinking about what was ahead.

I would have included Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan.

Actually, everyone should read this novel addressing a topic that many don’t want to talk about, but on May 19th, our legislators voted to control. A story of powerful relationships and family dynamics. Once you start reading, you won’t stop until you are finished and you will continue to think about it long after you've turned the last page.

Another recommendation for them would have been Looking for Jane by Heather Marshall. Yes, another work of fiction, inspired by true stories. Three women from three decades and how their stories/lives were woven together. Another important book our legislators should have discussed before they voted in May.  

I am hopeful all of our state legislators went to our Nebraska History Museum this spring. A short walk from the Capitol. Located at 131 Centennial Mall North. Two fabulous and important exhibits, Preserving a Legacy: Japanese in Nebraska and Righting a Wrong: Japanese Americans and World War II. Both exhibits are on display until October 1st. If you have not had the opportunity to visit these exhibits yet, please do so to learn more about our state history as well as our nation's history. (https://history.nebraska.gov/museum/exhibits/) 

You will then want to read Facing the Mountain by Daniel James Brown. Subtitle: A True Story of Japanese American Heroes in World War II.

If I was still working with high school social studies teachers, I would recommend it be added to their American History curriculum. An important piece of our history never thoroughly discussed, or acknowledged.

Yes, as always, there are so many excellent books. So much reading to be done. And so many who still seem to feel we should limit reading opportunities.

Last month I was reminded that on June 25, 1953, the Freedom to Read Statement was published. Yes, 1953.

Last month's message from the American Library Association: “Seventy years ago, leaders from across the literary world joined together in writing to condemn attacks on free expression. The statement at the heart of that endeavor, the Freedom to Read Statement, was authored by the American Library Association and Association of American Publishers over a period of several days. It begins with this timeless observation:

The freedom to read is essential to our democracy. It is continuously under attack.

A resurgence of attacks on the freedom to read again threatens our democracy. Calls for book bans, the adoption of unconstitutional legislation, and campaigns to criminalize the work of librarians, teachers, booksellers and other individuals for distributing materials protected by the First Amendment threaten our fundamental liberties.” 

The statement was written in 1953, reaffirmed in 1972, 1991, 2000 and 2004, and again last month. Read the first paragraph out loud for the full impact:

The freedom to read is essential to our democracy. It is continuously under attack. Private groups and public authorities in various parts of the country are working to remove or limit access to reading materials, to censor content in schools, to label "controversial" views, to distribute lists of "objectionable" books or authors, and to purge libraries. These actions apparently rise from a view that our national tradition of free expression is no longer valid; that censorship and suppression are needed to counter threats to safety or national security, as well as to avoid the subversion of politics and the corruption of morals. We, as individuals devoted to reading and as librarians and publishers responsible for disseminating ideas, wish to assert the public interest in the preservation of the freedom to read. 

You may read the entire document and see the list of authors and publishers who have signed this statement this year. A long list: https://uniteagainstbookbans.org/freedomtoread/#statement

The right to read. I guess it’s right up there with the right to bear arms. It’s interesting that many legislators/politicians who feel there’s a need to preserve the right to bear arms are less supportive of the right to read. I wonder why...

I don’t know how old I was when I learned to read. Maybe it began with those Little Golden Books available in my hometown grocery store. And yes, the public library drew me in and started me down the pathway/career of literacy and learning, thanks to my mom and grandma who took me to the library. I remember it vividly. 

I know you all have your favorite books and read many more titles each month than I do. I see the book covers on Facebook and have a sigh of relief when I’ve read at least one or two that you share. Thank you for giving me more recommendations!

A special thanks also to those legislators and all of you who continue to fight for our right to read. 70 years later..

So on this beautiful Sunday morning, I feel compelled to go for an early morning walk, listening to David Baldacci's Simply Lies. Then home this afternoon to sit on the porch and continue reading Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe by Heather Webber. 

Today I need to enjoy this freedom to read.