The seventh episode of Lights Out Mass is just in time for Banned Books Week!
We talk about how libraries are awesome, Jeff’s new project to uncover all book challenges at public libraries and schools throughout Massachusetts, how bigots — including Rayla Campbell, the former Mass GOP candidate for secretary of the commonwealth — have been using concerns about protecting children from sexual abuse as cover for their bigotry, and proposed legislation that would ban book bans.
If you enjoy the podcast, please subscribe to this newsletter, The Mass Dump, for future episodes. You can also find us on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.
You can support this podcast financially by either signing up for a paid subscription to this newsletter or sending a tip via PayPal.
If you have any feedback, please reach out to us at LightsOutMass at gmail dot com.
Links
Jeff’s book challenges project is here
Andrew’s articles about Rayla Campbell are here, here, and here
Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe, which is currently the most challenged book in the country, is available from your local library
Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave is available for free online
The anti-book banning legislation pending before the state Legislature is HD.4443 and S.2447
This podcast is hosted by Andrew Quemere and Jeff Raymond:
Andrew writes this newsletter and is also on Facebook, Twitter, Bluesky, and Mastodon
Jeff is the founder of MassTransparency and is also on Twitter and Bluesky
Our theme music is “Sun Bleach” by Lifeformed. More music available at Bandcamp.
Sunlight is the best disinfectant!
If you missed it, check out our last episode!
Book Challenges in Massachusetts