A local nonprofit is hosting a community conversation about children’s freedom to read.
The organization Our Local History is collaborating with local universities and community organizations to explore increasing concerns about book banning and efforts to limit diverse perspectives and histories in schools.
“We want to make sure that children in schools around here are able to see themselves reflected in what they read, in their curriculum, and not only themselves, but their classmates and their communities as well,” said Justin Murphy, research and communications coordinator with Our Local History.
Murphy, who is a former Democrat and Chronicle education reporter, is moderating the event.
“We see this (event) as being part of our mission of having a full understanding and access to the good, the bad and the ugly of what happens in our community, and the ways that people talk about it and debate about it,” Murphy said.
The panel discussion includes Newbery Award-winning author Linda Sue Park — whose works have been subject to bans — and local educators.
“The purpose of education is to prepare us for democratic life, and part of democratic life is open and free inquiry, and it's about respecting other folks,” said Cody Miller, English education professor at SUNY Brockport and 2024 recipient of the National Intellectual Freedom Award.
Miller is one of the panelists scheduled to participate in the panel discussion. It’s a topic that has local and much broader implications, he said.
“We've seen throughout history, especially in the McCarthy era, that (when) any attempt of education to try to reckon with the harms of the present and the past gets labeled indoctrination or some kind of other bad word from reactionary forces, (it’s) because those reactionary forces inherently do not want to create a more inclusive society,” Miller said.
The community conversation — co-sponsored by the Monroe County Library System, and several local colleges and community organizations — is scheduled to take place at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday at the St. John Fisher University's Basil 135 Auditorium.
