Target: Mike Moratti, Commissioner of Texas Education Agency
Goal: End censorship of books and courses that address tough, uncomfortable topics.
Classic novels like Fahrenheit 451 and 1984 depicted dystopian futures where truth is relative, independent thinking is reviled, and powerful leaders intellectually and emotionally enslave the people. These works of science fiction are quickly becoming all-too-real. Increasingly, politicians are trying to set their own rigid narratives in public schools, targeting any books or classes that hint at diversity or dare speak harsh truths about dark times in America’s past and present. Texas is proudly leading the censorship charge.
In one Texas school district alone, officials pulled over 130 books to supposedly “protect” students. A state representative’s list of books to be banned spans nearly 1,000. Among these books are novels from Pulitzer Prize-winning writers like Toni Morrison and past best-sellers such as The Kite Runner. Unsurprisingly, an outsized percentage of these books are in the crosshairs because they touch (even briefly) on themes of racial, gender, or sexual identity. As this blatant censorship plays out, Governor Greg Abbott, who supports the book bans, is hypocritically raging that “freedom of speech is under attack in Texas.”
Sign the petition below to demand Texas’ education leaders stand against the real threats to freedom of speech within this state.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Commissioner Moratti,
Throughout history, powerful people in charge have tried to control populations by keeping them illiterate and depriving them of the ability to think critically and for themselves. Texas is currently following this same dangerous path with the recent onslaught of proposed book bans brought before school boards across the state. Leaders are actively trying to suppress information and intellectual debate from individuals at the most formative stages of development in their lives.
Sweeping the hard issues of today under the rug will not make them disappear, any more than shielding kids from information about atrocities like slavery, the Holocaust, or the systemic persecution of indigenous peoples will change the realities of these historic events. Is this how you celebrate Black History Month, by going after the works of prominent minority writers or works that speak to long-oppressed people? Schools are for enlightenment and learning, not willful ignorance and suppression.
Please change course and reverse these incredibly destructive censorship trends before they do irreparable harm to the education system and the children who will become tomorrow’s leaders.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: Luis Quintero
Anti- semitic racist CONservatives traitors will never get away with this.
Oh, that is such a bunch of lies. Didn’t you see the school board meetings where parents read from the filthy and perverted books that are being forced on even very young children in these extreme leftist schools? Wake up!
LMAO!!! Another CONservative with bs. Go cry tRumptard.
Just WOW!!!! I did not think this shit went on in an ‘enlightened’ country. Needs to stop before it gets a real foothold.
Started by CONservatives in 2012. Lou Dobbs on Faux News wanted The Lorax banned.
The United States fought WWII to stop Hitler and the Nazism that started with the censorship and burning of books. I never thought in 2022 the Republican Party would support the same tactics in America. The destruction of Democracy by Republicans, which was started under the Trump regime, and continues in the red states through our our country.
I have clients who are Republicans. Nice couple.Not tRumpers. This was the last straw. They left party.
Yes – allot of Republican conservatives are nazi fascists who voted for Trump!! They want the USA to be a fascist state!!! And they live in the SE part of the USA – Texas – Florida – Louisiana – etc….
HOW DOES THAT MAKE US NAZI’S SHOW PROOF?, YOU CAN’T BECAUSE YOU ARE A TYPICAL DEMOCORRUPT-A LIAR AND DENIER, IT IS YOUR PARTY THAT ARE FACISTS, COMMUNISTS, RACISTS AND CRIMINALS. YOUR PARTY OF COMMUNISTS, FACISTS, CRIMINALS AND RACISTS ARE EVRYWHERE THAT’S WHY CRIME IS RAMPANT IN THOSE STATES. CROOKED HILARY IS IN HUGE TROUBLE SHE IS UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR HER GRAND HOAX OF THE RUSSIA COLLUSION- PEOPLE EVERYWHERE ARE CHANTING ‘LOCK HER UP’. DEMOCORRUPTS ARE BEING ARESTED LEFT AND RIGHT FOR ;CHILD MOLESTATION, FRAUD, STEALING, ETC- LOOK IT UP.CRAZY JOE HIMSELF IS UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR EVERY LAW HE HAS BROKEN; A BORDER PATROL ONCE SAID ‘IF JOE BIDEN WEREN’T PRESIDENT I WOULD ARREST HIM FOR AIDING AND ABETTING ILLEGAL ALIENS, DRUG AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING. ONCE THIS SON OF A BITCH IS OUT OF OFFICE HE WILL BE NABBED BY FEDERAL AGENTS- LOOK THAT UP TOO. YOU PEOPLE ARE A BUNCH OF IDIOTS!
LMAO!!! Qtards are clowns. Get some help.
Dear Eva
Its not right to classify you as a Nazi. But its also absolutly unfair of you to name Democrats as corrupt. Furthermore be happy that you have a persons like Hillary and Bill Clinton and of course Mr Biden in your Country. What you, dear Eva, write is exactly the stuff that divides your Country. Do you know that a lot of people believe that sooner than later you will have another civil war? Therefor be more tolerant. That helps your country to heal.
By the way, do you think it makes a difference which party is ruling? Abusers of all sorts are in every party located!!!! With banning of books, movies or internet sites is nothing won. The customers of these articles will find a way. Thats stupid to believe with banning ‘problem solved’. Its as stupid as some Swiss voted pro banning ‘tobacco ads’. They truly believe kids will stop smoking.
Think again about your way of thinking and become a more helpful person. Thank you.
Eve the RepupliKKKan is a member of Q. Brainwashed clowns.
You are a Nazi! That was one of the first things the Nazis did, start banning books they disagree with. Time to start suing the crap out of you creeps. How about paying me $10,000 for banning books like your suing women in Texas you do not even know for having abortions.
Thank you!!! My Jewish friends and clients call trash like Eva Nazis!
Google those tRump loving right wing terrorists Patriot Front. Came to my neighborhood and put hate stickers on nearby synagogues and everywhere else. Those trash do this all over the country. One of many newly formed right wing terrorists.
Did you know Greg Abbott is the same pos who refused to sign the SODA Act to protect chained dogs kept outside in the hrutal cold or searing heat?
I am truly shocked that a country, who believes to be a democracy, censors books. Already for some time I have doubts about this democracy. A country with only 2 political parties? Therefor I should not be surprised about censorship. I am Swiss and we have unbelievable many political party. We have about 4 times a year something to vote about. Sorry, dear Americans, the Swiss system is in my eye true democracy.
Texas is a white supremacist racist Nazi state!!!
Kids in Texas are smart. They said whatever book is banned they go to library or order it online and read it.
HATE TO BURST YOUR BUBBLE, BUT GIVING PORNOGRAPHIC BOOKS TO A CHILD IS ILLEGAL AND CAN PUT THOSE ADULTS IN PRISON. WHY THE FUCK DO YOU THINK THAT MINORS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN MOVIE THEATRES WHERE X-RATED MOVIES ARE BEING SHOWN, EINSTEIN?!
Keep lying and crying tRumptard.
Hate to burtst yout pos bubble tRumptard. MAUS IS NOT PORN. Now go cry fascist traitor and stop making me laugh.
HATE TO BURST YOUR BUBBLE BUT I AM GOING TO DEMAND THE BIBLE BE BANNED FROM SCHOOLS AS BEING PORNOGRAPHIC!!! IT HAS MANY SCENES OF RAPE, INCEST, WIFE BEATING, SELLING DAUGHTERS INTO SLAVERY, GOD COMMANDING A MAN TO KILL HIS SON AND MANY, MANY OTHER ACTS OF VIOLENCE. THE BOOKS YOU ARE BANNING ARE NOT PORNOGRAPHIC THEY JUST DOCUMENT YOUR PERSONAL HATRED OF WOMEN AND MINORITIES. PITY YOU WITH YOUR INTERNALIZED MISOGYNY!!!!
SO I GUESS IF YOU HAVE KIDS YOU WOULD LET THEM WATCH PORNOGRAPHY, YOU WOULD TEACH THEM TO HATE WHITE FOLKS INCLUDING THEIR PARENTS. ‘HOW VERY NAZI…’ YOUR COMMENT IS SO STUPID I’VE NEVER HEARD ‘NAZI’S BANNING SCHOOL BOOKS, ‘AT LEAST THEY ARE NOT BURNING THESE BOOKS’ WTF ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?? TRY DOING SOME RESEARCH INSTEAD OF PULLING STUFF OUT YOUR ASS!
LOL!! Lying fascist traitor. Go cry some more tRumptard.
YES I WOULD WANT MY CHILDREN TO READ THE GRAPES OF WRATH AND TO KILL A MOCKING BIRD. THEY ARE ABOUT SOCIAL INJUSTICE NOT PORNOGRAPHY YOU IGNORANT, HATEFUL PRICK.
I love it!! Banning the Bible. GREAT IDEA!!!
WHERE IS YOUR PROOF? THE WHITE SUPREMACIST IS IN THE WHITE HOUSE HE IS THE ONE WHO SAID’ ‘I DON’T WANT MY KIDS GROWING UP IN A RACIAL JUNGLE’, ‘BLACK KIDS ARE JUST AS SMART AS WHITE KIDS’, ‘IF YOU DON’T VOTE FOR ME THEN YOU AIN’T BLACK’,’IF HAITI SUNK 300 FEET IT WOULDN’T MATTER MUCH TO US..’ (ABOUT REPARATIONS FOR BLACKS) ‘I’LL BE DAMNED IF I’M GOING TO PAY FOR THE SINS OF THE FATHER’, I COULD KEEP GOING BUT I WILL BE HERE ALL NIGHT. BIDEN DID GIVE THE EULOGY FOR THE GRAND WIZARD OF THE KKK ROBERT BYRD-BIDEN IS SEEN HOLDING UP BYRDS’ HAND UP CROOKED HILARY WAS THERE TOO SHE SAID BYRD WAS HER MENTOR. GOOGLE THIS YOU WILL FIND IT, BTW, EVERY RED STATE IS BANNING THESE HORRIBLE EVIL BOOKS AND THE EVIL CRT.
LMAO!!!! Q needs you. Lying tRumptards LOVE THEM!!
GIVE ME A BREAK EVA. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF VIDEOS OF TRUMP’S CAMPAIGN RALLIES IN WHICH HE MAKES RACIST REMARKS, SEXIST REMARKS, ANTISEMITIC REMARKS AND ANTI-MUSLIM REMARKS. HE ALSO MADE FUN OF A HANDICAPPED REPORTER. IN ADDITION, IN THE 1970’S, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FINED THE TRUMP ORGANIZATION FOR NOT RENTING TO ANY AFRICAN AMERICANS. AND IN THE 1920’S, TRUMP’S FATHER WAS ARRESTED IN NEW YORK CITY FOR PARTICIPATING IN AN UNRULY KLU KLUX KLAN RALLY. YOUR MAKING EXCUSES UP FOR TRUMP’S RACIST, SEXIST BEHAVIOR MAKES YOU A RACIST AND A SEXIST TOO AND AN AMERICAN NAZI. PLEASE LEAVE THE COUNTRY!!!!
Did you see tRumps retweet of WHITE POWER from racist trash in Florida?
IF YOU DID RESEARCH INSTEAD OF TAKING THE DEMOCORRUPTS AT THEIR WORD WHICH IS WHAT STUPID PEOPLE DO, IT’S NO WONDER THAT NO ONE RESPECTS THIS COUNTRY, LOOK WHO’S RUNNING IT. I GUESS YOU ARE ANOTHER ONE WHO IS OKAY WITH THEIR KIDS BEING SHOWN AND TAUGHT PORNOGRAPHY AND TEACHING KIDS THAT YOU JUDGE PEOPLE BY THEIR SKIN COLOR (THIS IS WHAT THE DEMOCORRUPTS ARE DOING). WATCH THE DAMN VIDEOS OF THE PARENTS AT SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS READING EXCERPTS (OUT LOUD)FROM THOSE BOOKS. YOU PEOPLE ARE BEYOND IGNORANT!
Maus is now the most read book by teens in Texas. Now go cry tRumptard fascist clown. Teens in Texas said NO ONE WILL TELL THEM WHAT TO READ. Love it!!!
EVA-WORLD WIDE POLLS SHOWED TRUMP HAD A VERY, VERY LOW APPROVAL RATING OUTSIDE THE US DURING HIS PRESIDENCY. IN CONTRAST, OBAMA WAS VERY HIGHLY RATED BY PEOPLE OUTSIDE THE US AND BIDEN IS STARTING TO WIN THEIR RESPECT TOO. MAYBE YOU SHOULD GET OFF YOUR A*S AND READ SOME FOREIGN PRESS INSTEAD OF JUST VIEWING FOX FAKE NEWS. OH, I FORGOT. YOU PROBABLY ONLY READ AT NO MORE THAN A SIXTH GRADE LEVEL. YES, THANKS TO AMERICAN NAZIS, AKA THE REPUBLICAN PARTY DUMBING DOWN US EDUCATION, THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION HAS FOUND THAT 54% OF AMERICANS READ AT A 6TH GRADE LEVEL OR BELOW. GUESS YOU ARE ONE OF THEM!!!!
That would be Eva the Qtard. Fox is no longer seen by the traitors.
THEN YOU SHOULD GO BACK, WHY ARE YOU LIVING IN A COUNTRY THAT YOU ARE CRITICIZING?
Pack your bags traitor and leave.
Give teens some credit. Sales of Maus has gone through the roof. Anong other books they want to ban. Book stores, libraries, etc. Where these books are available. But, yes. You are correct.
How very Nazi like of those doing the banning. At least they are not burning those books yet. Still it’s disgusting it’s happening at all
I guess you did not hear about the pastor RepubliKKKan who did an actual burning.
Great news! Sales of banned books rose 753 PERCENT! Maus is number one in sales.
WE DON’T WANT PORNOGRAPHY SHOWN AND TAUGHT TO OUR KIDS, WE DON’T WANT CRT TAUGHT IN OUR SCHOOLS AND FOR YOU PEOPLE DENYING THAT THIS IS WHAT IS GOING ON IN SCHOOLS JUST WATCH THE VIDEOS, GOOGLE THE BOOKS IN OUR SCHOOLS AND STOP BELIEVEING THE DEMOCORRUPTS JUST BECAUSE THEY DENY IT GO FOR THE EVIDENCE!
LMAO!!!Truth hurts tRumptard fascist traitor.
Oh look. The Nazi liar is back. Racist anti- semitic pos. Go cry because kids are going to read these books one way or another. They said they will not be stopped. No go cry some more tRumptard.
That would be you Eve Cantu. Tou are also a homophobe.
Correction. YOU.
I wonder why we can not be united in peace? I have nothing against pornography… AS LONG AS EVERY SINGLE PARTICIPANT AGREES!!!!!!! Children have to know the whole story of’Baby making etc’. That some people are intergender. They have to know the different colors of people. They have to know the different religions on this planet/country. And the true history of the home country. And they have to be teached the love to every singel being on thus planet, be it human, animal or even plants! Only then we may overcome the hatred on this planet!
One of the books banned is Maus. That is NOT pornagraphy. And FACT.CONSERVATIVES WATCH MORE PORN THAN LIBERALS.
That would not surprise me. Its usually the ones who scream most against something. And I think Eva is truly a member of Q. She believes in things spreaded by Q. Poor girl. It will be hard for her, when she ‘weaks up’.
Eve is a member of Q. Someone went on her Facebook page. Poor brainwashed clown.
If she would not be a member of Q, she would be realistic and maybe watch more than only Fox. Or what ever TV Channel. Thats again the beauty of Switzerland. We have about 200+ channels. Different languages, from around the world. Thats should make you open minded. Trouble is, we have also such ‘strange’ people, beliving Q. Funny enough, only followers of the far right party. Like your republicans, very dangerous people. Strange, they are often farmers. Exactly those are in dire need of foreigners help. But would love to build a wall around Switzerland. Like your Reps to the border of Mexico. Half witted people everywhere
A lot of Q tards got off Facebook or other social media when they found out FBI is keeping an eye out for them. And getting fired from jobs. They started looking at them when that pos killed his two infant sins with fishing spear. Another q pos claimed wife has lizard dna in her. CHILDREN WILL BE TAKEN AWAY FROM THESE TRASH as people are calling child protective services.
Correction. Sons
How crude some ‘informations’ are is unbelievable. Even a slow witted person should realize that these are forged. But believing in such things is for me – fear for all these unexplicable things going on. If thats Corona or books in this particular case:-) .
Someone here wanted to know why people are called Nazis. These are words from my Jewish clients and friends who lost people in Holocaust. Banning Maus is anti- semitic. I AGREE WITH THEM CALLING PEOPLE NAZIS. Teens in Texas said NO ONE will stop them from reading Maus.
Who is the writter of that book ‘maus’. Im crious whats about
Maus is about the Holocaust. Written by Art Speigelman who lost family in Holocaust. He was interviewed recently. Needless to say he is disgusted. Sales have gone through the roof.
Correction. Speigelmans father is Holocaust survivor and tells the horrors of it. Why was it banned? 8 CURSE WORDS. Graphic because Holocaust MUST be told that way he says.
Thanks for the information. I did not hear from this book and author. Here in Europe are so many books from survivers. One of the very famous one is ‘Anne Frank diary’. A jewish girl, hidden in sort of barn but in the end found and killed in KZ Bergen-Belsen.
Therefor your ‘Maus’ did not say anything to me.
Do you really tell me that because of 8 curses they ban that book???????????
Absolutely! 8 CURSE WORDS.That is what the KKKonservatives said. Came out of thier mouths. The other books written by black people are banned because they are racists. Not sure if you have google there but you can find the banned books on social media. There is no porn in those books. They are BLATANT LIES. In 2012 Lou Dobbs wanted Dr. Suess The Lorax banned. Why? Because it was about the environment and climate change.
Yes. Read book on Anne Frank as a teenager. Just saw the movie again made in the 1960’s. My mom and dad escaped Nazis in Italy. Stories my mom told me will stay with me until i leave this earth.
If you can find info about right wing terrorists Patriot Front you will be disgusted. They came to my neighborhood and put hate stickers all over the place and synagogues. Imagine the Jewish children there reading the words OVEN DODGER on the walls of building! There is now a police car there 24 hours a day.
You are right. Its disgusting to read about these fashists. How dare to believe only they are the right Americans? Why are these grouos so ‘strong’ in the US? Thats something I do not understand. In my opinion the only true Americans are the members of the First Nations.
Its really a shame whats going on in your country! I do like the senic of USA. But whats going on at present, I avoid to visit USA.
Yes. Sadly, people are leaving for Europe and other places and people will not visit either. My relatives in Italy call pos tRump Cheetolini.
As you know Switzerland was saved in the WW2. But what my parents told it was not easy here either. My dad was as soldier at the border to France. Night after night they have seen the light from the fights in France. Must have been a nightmare to watch the fights not far away from the border.
Did you know, that the Germans had troups ready to invade Switzerland? Most people do not know that. So Switzerland escaped only narrowly the fights. Imagen all the Jews in Switzerland? Horror.
The people did not learn anything from the past. At the moment we are again on the brink of a war. Only cos 1 person wants to reestablish the former ‘glory’ of UdSSR. That could be something for your ‘patriots’.
Patriots? These are TRAITORS. I try to watch as many true stories of the Holocaust as i could without breaking down. As painful as it is i must learn. That is what author of Maus said. Some books are PAINFUL to your soul. The same with books about slaves.
If they REALLY want to ban something, they should start by banning military-style automatic and semi-automatic weapons, most often used in school shootings. These weapons are not suitable for hunting, and unless you’re in the military or a member of a police force, there is NO REASON to ever have them. I’ve never heard of anyone dying because a book wasn’t banned. And I STRONGLY recommend that students take note of the “banned” books, and go find them in a library a town, or a state, over, and read what they don’t want you to know. Your life will be that much richer for the efforts.
No worries. This is causing the opposite effect. Teens are going to libraries. Ordering books online, etc. Sales of Maus and others like 1984. Why The Caged Bird Sings, etc.are going through the roof. And like someone here said the Bible is a good book to start banning and see how they like it. And yes. AR51 rifles are killing people EVERY SINGLE DAY.
Your comments on the forum are very reasonable, hope you add comments to the play snake website for us to improve further, and thank you for your comments.