Alexandra Carter

I firmly oppose the proposed bill that seeks to ban certain books from schools and libraries. At its core, this legislation is not about protecting students—it’s about controlling them. It’s about censorship, fear, and silencing voices that deserve to be heard. Book bans have no place in a free society. The freedom to read, to think critically, and to explore diverse perspectives is fundamental to education and to democracy itself. When we start banning books, we aren’t just limiting access to stories—we’re limiting access to empathy, history, and truth. Books are how young people see themselves, and how they begin to understand others. They provide mirrors for some and windows for others. Banning them sends the message that certain experiences, identities, and ideas are too dangerous to acknowledge. But the real danger lies in erasing them. This bill is not about protecting children—it’s about protecting a narrow worldview. It seeks to make libraries less inclusive, classrooms less honest, and students less equipped to navigate the real world. Shielding young people from complex ideas doesn’t make them safer—it leaves them less prepared, less compassionate, and less informed. Let’s be clear: our students deserve the freedom to think for themselves. Our educators deserve the freedom to teach with integrity. And our communities deserve better than legislation rooted in fear and control. I urge lawmakers to reject this bill, stand up for intellectual freedom, and affirm that in a truly free and educated society, books are not the enemy—ignorance is.