During a recent school board meeting in Martin County, Florida, a 100-year-old woman named Grace Lynn took a stand against the banning of books in schools.
She argued that the freedom to read is a crucial aspect of democracy and that the ban is a direct attack on this freedom.
According to Florida state law, anyone can challenge a book and recommend its removal from school libraries, and caution is often exercised when considering whether or not to pull a book from the shelves.
However, Lynn believes that banning books and burning them are two sides of the same coin, both stemming from fear of knowledge and control.
She pointed out that her husband Robert Nichols was killed defending democracy, freedom, and the Constitution in World War II, and one of the freedoms that the Nazis crushed was the freedom to read.
Lynn’s powerful message has resonated with many, as 84 titles have been removed from schools in the Florida district, including works from renowned authors such as Tony Morrison, Jody Pico, Margaret Atwood, Judy Bloom, and even James Patterson.
Lynn’s words serve as a reminder that the freedom to read is a fundamental right and duty of our democracy and should not be taken for granted.
