We Need a Brave New World
Dear Leading Ladies,
The Kite Runner.
To Kill a Mockingbird.
Brave New World.
The Things They Carried.
Beloved.
The Catcher in the Rye.
The Giver.
Anne Frank’s Diary of a Young Girl.
Harry Potter.
A Wrinkle in Time.
Charlotte’s Web.
These are just a few of the multitude of books that have been banned from libraries and classrooms throughout our country over countless decades.
October is Banned Book Month, a recognition of the many successful attempts to prevent books on subjects considered controversial or abhorrent by some, from being available to both children and adults. In fact, the supporters of banning books would like to exclude books on topics such as the history of slavery and civil rights and with LGBT characters.
A member of the SA throws confiscated books into the bonfire during the public burning of "un-German" books on the Opernplatz in Berlin in 1933.
This year we are witnessing an additional different assault on the written and spoken word in our country. The president has exerted his power to exclude journalists from CNN, MS NOW, and Politico, with a DOJ attorney representing Trump arguing that “The president concluded that they have failed to maintain basic minimum standards of professionalism and decorum expected of those given access to the White House Complex, including by ‘publishing classified or sensitive information’.”
Although a federal judge ruled against the bans and the media outlets returned to the White House pool, another ban against CNN prevented the network from two scheduled tv press duties and traveling with the president last week. The president wrote last Friday, “The White House is not instituting an assault on the free press,” but rather “instituting an assault in the fake news.” DOJ senior counsel Michael Velchik was quoted in The Hill as saying, “After all, access to the White House is a privilege — not a right.”
Lest we take the issue of banned books or banned media too lightly, we need to consider what another despot and enemy of freedom did and said about the issue. Adolph Hitler coined the term Lügenpresse, which in German literally means lying press. Hitler was a deft propagandist, his skills at oratory were recognized by the army and practiced in front of a mirror before his “performances” at beer hall rallies in his early days of politics. He criticized the press, especially the Munchener Post, attacking it with slanderous epithets such as the “Poison Kitchen” and the “Munich Pestilence.” Sound familiar?
The midterm elections are only four weeks away, but it is not too late to make a difference. As we keep repeating, we get what we vote for. So what can we still do?
Make sure you vote. Early voting begins October 17 and runs through October 30. Check here for locations and schedules.
Make sure the people around you are registered to vote. October 24 is the deadline to register.
Offer rides to the polls to those who may need them.
Prior to November 3rd, read up on the important ballot questions here. You can also take this handy foldable flyer into the voting booth with you. Share it with friends, too.
Give money to candidates in other states who represent your values and can help Congress further your hopes for our country’s future.
Learn more about candidates in close Congressional races here.
Now is the time to dig deep and reach out. The lives of our children and grandchildren are at risk.
Therese (she/her/hers)
Judy (she/her/hers)
Didi (she/her/hers)
Leading Ladies Executive Team
Leadingladiesvote.org
ladies@leadingladiesvote.org