In 2024, South Carolina joined a small number of other states in taking action to dramatically increase the number of books banned from public schools. Specifically, it is now easy for any parent in a school district to initiate bans of books that apply for the entire district, and potentially the whole state.
People that want to be given the power to Ban Books for all learners are the Book Banners. Many are well-intentioned, but if you demand the power to Ban Books and then use it to Ban a bunch of Books, the label fits.
We, Everybody Else, think this is a bad idea, and will lead to diminishing educational opportunities for students. We are organizing in Greenville, SC. Our goal is to make this a more public conversation, and to convince our leaders to choose a better direction.
Spring 2025 Updates – Our (hopefully) first $1000 donation was made to Cherrydale Elementary. We met with school leadership and simply asked that they try to use this money to add to the opportunities their students have, in opposition to book bans and other actions that only remove choices.
Summer 2025 – Stay tuned to this space, we may do a Banned Book Club for elementary or middle school kids this summer.