It’s banned books week.

Celebrate stories that celebrate diversity [View as Webpage]( [National Education Association]( [EdJustice]( {NAME}, In my 30+ years as an educator, I have seen the power a book can have on my students. Their eyes literally open wider when they read a passage that speaks to them and helps them make sense of their lived experience. The only word I can think to describe it is magic. Why would anyone want to extinguish that magic and inhibit a child's learning? Sadly, some politicians want to limit our stories and restrict our freedom to learn, whitewashing history, and banning books to divide us and retain their own political power. [This Banned Books Week, I am honoring my favorite stories that celebrate diversity. Celebrate your favorite diverse book by creating your own custom bookmark](. Stories like The Bluest Eye and I Am Jazz have a special place on my bookshelf and in my heart, and now they will have a special place in the current book I'm reading. Shockingly, book bans are on the rise across the country. States from Florida to Iowa are passing strict laws about what students can read and what educators can teach. Some school boards are going so far as firing great teachers like Katie Rinderle for reading a book to students about gender identity. At a moment when our stories and communities are under attack, we are coming together to make sure that our kids aren’t limited by baseless fears stoked by harmful politicians. [I hope that your custom bookmark will be a constant reminder to you of the power that diverse stories can have, and the importance of protecting the freedom to read.]( [Create Your Bookmark ➤]( While you’re there, also check out other actions you can take to fight back against book bans. Every student, no matter their race or where they live, deserves the freedom to learn our accurate history, and to see themselves reflected in the books they read. They should be able to go to their library or classroom bookshelf and pick out a book that will open their eyes wider and experience the magic that only a great book can provide. In solidarity, Becky Pringle President National Education Association [fb]( [tw]( [in]( [NEA - National Education Association]( You received this email at {EMAIL} because you are signed up for NEA EdJustice, timely actions and a quarterly digest about racial, social, and economic justice in education. [Click here to unsubscribe.]( © 2023 National Education Association 1201 16th St NW, Washington, DC 20036 [neaEdJustice.org]( | [Privacy Policy]( | [Terms of Service]( | [Subscribe]( | [Unsubscribe](