RASCHEL Charles

Testimony Opposing SB-33 – Book Ban Legislation To the Honorable Members of the House of Representatives: My name is Raschel Charles, and I am a constituent of Concord, New Hampshire. I am writing to express my strong opposition to SB-33. This bill paves the way for censorship in our schools, giving a small group of individuals the power to remove books based on vague, subjective complaints rather than educational value or expert review. That’s not how we protect students—that’s how we begin to erode democracy. Silencing voices, removing stories, and limiting access to ideas is the first step in creating a culture of control and fear. As a parent, I believe in raising informed, thoughtful, and compassionate children. We bought the unabridged graphic novel Maus to help our kids understand the horrors of the Holocaust—and to help them recognize the early warning signs of rising authoritarianism in today’s world. Education should empower our children to think critically and stand up for truth and justice, not teach them to look away. Books like Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe are exactly the kind of titles this bill is designed to target. And yet, Gender Queer has been life-changing for many young readers—especially LGBTQ+ youth who rarely see their identities reflected in the books they read. Removing these stories doesn’t keep kids safe; it tells them they don’t belong. I urge you to vote no on SB-33. Protect our students' right to read, to question, to learn—and to grow into engaged citizens who are ready to participate in and protect a healthy democracy. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Raschel Charles Concord, NH