Tomorrow is the last day of this year's Freedom to Read Week in Canada. With the rise of fascism globally and a steady increase in book bans, it is crucial, now more than ever, that we recognize the importance of creative freedom and unfettered access to information.
As we are witnessing firsthand with our southern neighbours, a broken education system and an inability to think critically has led to an extremely precarious situation. Knowledge is protection as it gives us the tools to advocate for ourselves. Knowledge is also compassion as it allows us to see how different people live, granting us the ability to see the world through their eyes.
Learning about past mistakes is the best way to prevent repeating them. Learning about others is the best way to understand them. Neither of these things is possible when knowledge is restricted or banned. Ignorance is never the solution. It only leads to needless pain, suffering, and hatred.
For more information on Freedom to Read and for a list of books challenged in Canada, please visit https://www.freedomtoread.ca/.
Comments