Brightly

The op-ed I wrote about A PLACE INSIDE OF ME being challenged in VA is up now on Brightly. And with my publisher providing security, I’ll be heading down there in early May to thank in person the folks who have stood up to the book banners. I never imagined I’d need protection at an author event; there haven’t been any specific threats and I’m relieved to know that I can adjust our safety plan if I feel comfortable with the crowd. But after seeing how heated things have gotten at school board meetings in VA, and with that county supervisor insisting my book is “anti-police,” we thought it wise not to take chances. That means no signing line and questions from the audience will be selected in advance to avoid hecklers. How did we get to this point? Hopefully things will have cooled down by the start of the book festival. I’ve asked if we can squeeze in a school visit or two. The whole point of writing these books is to connect with kids…

We authors can and do defend our books, but protecting freedom of expression isn’t the responsibility of any individual or members of a particular profession. Communities have to embody the values they wish to pass on to their children. Sometimes the students themselves need to remind adults that the purpose of education is to invite — not prevent—the curiosity that can sometimes cause discomfort.