El Paso Public Libraries To Feature Banned Books

The City of El Paso is making some noise in their libraries. They've decided not to shush some books that have been banned or are in the process of being banned by counties and states including Texas. It was announced Wednesday afternoon that El Paso libraries will be highlighting banned books.

WHICH BOOKS ARE IN DANGER OF BEING BANNED
To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Of Mice And Men by John Steinbeck
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Middlesex by Jeffery Eugenides
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
And Still I Rise: Black America Since MLK: an illustrated chronology by Henry Louis Gates, Jr.
The Indian Removal Act and the Trail Of Tears by Susan E. Hamen
Stamped From The Beginning: The Definitive History Of Racist Ideas In America by Ibram X. Kendi and Jason Reynolds
Those are just the more well known books that are on the danger list. There are dozens and dozens of books that are considered not suitable by conservative groups. You can check out the list here.

WHY NOW?
City Rep. Alexsandra Anello announced on her Facebook page that the El Paso Public library system will create a permanent section of banned books. She said that it is important, as we celebrate the start of Black History Month, "we recognize and protect the stories of marginalized communities." She also wants to make this a community effort because it "seemed counter productive to have a bunch of elected official decide which books are appropriate."

Annello also said that there will be an Amazon wish list that will allow YWCA members and other community members to buy the books for the libraries. The Y does have a preliminary list based on books in jeopardy nationally that are encompassed in the link above.

It is amazing that our city leaders are willing to step up and say that without these books, our schools, universities, workforce, and economy will be negatively impacted. With so many school districts, local governments, and state governments trying to suppress knowledge, I'm thrilled that our city leaders are taking a stand to protect and make available these wonderful books.

Well done, City Council. Well done.