A movement opposing book bans is gaining traction in Minnesota and other states, contrasting with the trend in conservative states where challenges to books are increasing. In March, a bill, nicknamed by some as a 'ban on book bans,' was introduced in both the Minnesota House and Senate.

Preserving Access to Diverse Educational Resources

Rep. Cedrick Frazier, the author of the House bill, opposed movements that restrict access to information, as he believed it hinders the development of critical thinking abilities in children. He expressed his commitment to fostering critical thinking skills in his own children. He emphasized the importance of nurturing independent thought and the ability to challenge ideas. Frazier says these skills are essential for developing future leaders locally and globally.

Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan supported the bill. According to Flanagan, students must see themselves somewhere within their education system since this helps them feel relevant and involved in the learning process. She expressed bewilderment at efforts to restrict students' access to books, highlighting the significance of students' enthusiasm for reading as a positive outcome.

Gov. Tim Walz strongly supported the bill, emphasizing that there is no ambiguity in his stance. He criticized proponents of book bans, stating that they have never been seen as champions of freedom or advocates for others' interests.

Shae Ross, an 18-year-old Minnesota high school student advocating for LGBTQ+ representation, was pleased to see this statewide effort. Ross believed that books dealing with sexuality, gender, and race provide solace and visibility, especially for marginalized youth like herself.

Ross' activism against book bans in her community led to policy changes at her school. Her efforts were recognized by Gov. Walz, who condemned book bans as contrary to democratic values and pledged support for school boards facing pressure to remove books.

READ ALSO: Tracie McMillan Uncovers the Financial Advantages of Racism on White Americans in New Book 'The White Bonus'

Taking a Stand Against Book Bans

The state House is discussing a more comprehensive approach that would enable ordinary people to file lawsuits to enforce it and impose fines. 

Democratic Rep. Frazier of New Hope said he is working with stakeholders, including the Department of Education, librarians, school districts, and their representatives. He claimed that they are working to tighten up the language, ensure we can reach a consensus, and ensure everybody is on the same page. 

Ross, a student at Jefferson High School in Bloomington, was alarmed when she heard in 2023 that conservative groups were organizing in her community to ban books based on their content. Thus, Ross and her friends banded together and persuaded their school board to enact stricter policies governing the removal of books and other materials from schools and library spaces. 

Walz visited Como Park Senior High School in St. Paul in March to view a collection of prohibited books elsewhere, and Ross was invited due to her advocacy. The governor called book bans 'the antithesis of everything we believe.' He also denounced what he depicted as a growing effort to bully school boards.

Speakers at a House committee in March claimed that among the most often banned books are those written by authors of color and LGBTQ+ individuals. Karlton Laster, director of policy and organizing for OutFront Minnesota, who identifies as Black and queer, said reading works helped him 'communicate my hard feelings and truths to my family and friends' and helped him come out to his family.

Kendra Redmond, a Bloomington mother with three children in public schools, testified about efforts to push back against a petition by conservatives to pull about 28 titles from the city's school libraries.

Pushback from Ross, Redmond, and others succeeded. The Bloomington School Board made it much harder to seek removals in March. Parents can still restrict their children's access to material they deem objectionable.

The district faced several challenges from the Bloomington Parents Alliance. One of its organizers, Alan Redding, recalled how, a few years prior, detailed portions about date rape were read aloud during a book discussion in his son's ninth-grade class. He said the other kids and his son were unprepared for such explicit content. 

'They were bothered by this and disgusted,' Redding said, claiming that his son shut down for the semester. 

Minnesota Republican lawmakers have argued that instead of worrying about book bans, they should focus on performance in a state where just under half of public school students can read at grade level.

'Every book is banned for a child that doesn't know how to read,' said GOP Rep. Patricia Mueller, a teacher from Austin.

RELATED ARTICLE: Utah School Districts Prepare for Book Ban Law Enforcement: Removal of Books Already Underway