Nicole

“This stifling atmosphere will ultimately harm the most vital causes of our time. The restriction of debate, whether by a repressive government or an intolerant society, invariably hurts those who lack power and makes everyone less capable of democratic participation. The way to defeat bad ideas is by exposure, argument, and persuasion, not by trying to silence or wish it away.”
― Keith Simon, Truth Over Tribe: Pledging Allegiance to the Lamb, Not the Donkey or the Elephant

“My grandmother called it bearing witness. She'd sit on the porch with her sister and talk the night away. Sometimes gossiping, sometimes praying. I'd hear them confide in each other, telling each other things I knew I wasn't supposed to know anything about." Maxine hits the button on her keychain to unlock her door. We get in. "I didn't get it as a kid. I mean, nothing got resolved, necessarily, so I though it was silly to just sit and rehash everything that was wrong with the world," Maxine says.
"Yeah, that's kind of depressing," I say.
"But I think what my grandmother was saying is that it feels good to know someone knows your story, that someone took you in," Maxine says. "She'd tell me, it's how we heal.”
― Renée Watson, Piecing Me Together

“Stories help us ready ourselves. For joy, for sorrow, for growth. They teach us empathy. They let us practice being better humans.

Sadly battles over children's access to books have increasingly put librarians and teachers on the front lines. But in the end, locking up books always fails because words have wings. Stories, as Ivan comes to realize, have a way of taking flight one way or another....as long as we have free libraries and dedicated teachers, loving parents, and curious children, I know we'll be okay.”
― Katherine Applegate, The One and Only Family

“I want them to know
that banning a book
is like banning a hug
and THAT is a dismal storm
no child should be left behind in”
― Kwame Alexander, Why Fathers Cry at Night: A Memoir in Love Poems, Letters, Recipes, and Remembrances