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Banned Book Club -IV

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^{Book bans in America have escalated hitting an all-time high, this includes Young Adult. The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights has announced that it is rescinding all past guidance issued against the removal of books. Censorship data from 2022 shows attempts to ban or restrict library books and resources across the United States. It is the States that ban not the federal government! School districts, individual Libraries, etc.}

^{I love Young Adult books, as a matter of fact one of our own poets Robert Gorelick has written "A Thing Of Beauty" culturally vibrant, a dystopian heartfelt and relevant to todays political climate. It begins in Canada with the Metes Cree poeple. Young Winny speaks of Earth Mother during her coming of age ceremony. Earth Mother is enraged with its stewards! Although not banned, my point is anything is possible in this new order of things.}

^{Below is a story of rebelling built on hope. United States in the near future. It is now a glaringly horrifying place and seventeen yr. old Layla Amin and her parents are forced into an internment camp for Muslim American citizens. Also trapped within the camp are others who shall become friends. They form an alliance. Layla’s journey is a fight for freedom, leading a revolution against the internment camp's Director and his guards. It challenges readers to fight complicit silence that exists in our society today. Banned}

“INTERNMENT ” Dystopian Y/A Fiction

by Samira Ahmed

“Adults fear their youths who see through hypocrisy and won’t be silenced. Told to stop disrespectful behavior and not to fight ~ though it’s adults who taught them to stand up for what is right”—Poet There is a book burning Nine months since the banning of books, The politics of fear are rising from minds bent Into a Muslim camp they are sent Seventeen-year-old Layla and her parents detained inside, her boyfriend on the outside Even though they’re citizens. What does he do? Comparisons to the Japanese camps in WWII White supremacy, a chilling coincidence? Should Muslim Americans fight back for their independence? Parents struggle just for survival, under an unscrupulous Director and his guard’s evil revival What takes place in determent is no mystery It has already happened in history Truth is hidden by the dictators Bullies, cowards crass with words cruel, blustery, Controlling, sparking fear unfettered, in this story Freedom is traded for a false quote Fascists and authoritarians never remote Our voices will not be silenced Power to teenage protagonists! As a high school teacher Samira knows, Teenagers always speak out to those Show they have power, fear young hope collectively Our privilege, use it for what’s bigger than we Conflicts parents who shield their child to the nth degree Meanwhile those children have gleaned from their parents “You raised me to ask questions for injustices and now you shut me down” Marching encouragement, teenage Idealism, hope Duty to fight for justice is in wide scope Youth who gaze toward the future can make a difference They have perceived corruption in their world They shall fight with persistence, resistance Young activist with a desire Unbridled zeal afire

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Reya Suri

Date: 4/25/2025 10:22:00 AM

WOW!!!! What a powerful and beautiful write! There is no one stronger than those who have received persecution. A shame that this book is being banned; I love it. Coincidentally, I am trying to read banned books! They're really moving and all show a drive for freedom, just as your poem does. Independence is worth fighting for, and I'm glad a teenager can recognize that. Hugs xxx

I Am Anaya
Date: 4/25/2025 10:40:00 AM

XOX

I Am Anaya
Date: 4/25/2025 10:37:00 AM

"The price of freedom is eternal vigilance" an age-old expression, the sentiment that liberty is worth fighting for and at times even dying for. Authoritarianism is always a threat unfortunately, and we must summon the courage to challenge it with our words, voices.The 1st book above is beautifully written as well, Mother Nature turns the world black n white I read it! Ty for reading Reya~ a warrioress

Duke Beaufort

Date: 3/12/2025 1:18:00 PM

Anaya, you've likely followed the saga of Mahmoud Kahlil. He is a Muslim green card holder arrested by ICE in the northeast USA and scheduled for deportation based on some trumped up charges...at least no evidence has come to light that he committed any crime. His 8-month pregnant wife tried to visit him, but our government transferred him to a local prison in Louisiana. Interesting how the government loves to move people as far from their families as possible. A form of torture...not efficiency. The point here is that the book is closer to reality that many realize. Librarians have to be very careful, as even they may end up in the crosshairs of free speech haters. Thanks for this particular book story.

I Am Anaya
Date: 3/14/2025 11:15:00 AM

Mahmoud Kahlil! The Jewish protestors in the Trump Tower are there to protest his arrest and want his release, they want D.T. to stop arming Isreal. They themselves have been arrested, three bus loads! It was breaking news, yesterday. This a Young Adult book of what could happen in near future. Best of the best, this book a bestseller (Samira's) I go to Velshi's banned book list at times.

Zyrool Gifford

Date: 3/5/2025 9:23:00 AM

Hello Anaya, this is such a powerful write. Sending Blessings to you for shining light on this topic. I can’t understand how these things are happening in the 21st century. My heart breaks. I will continue to pray for a miracle.

I Am Anaya
Date: 3/6/2025 7:43:00 AM

Ty , ZG, I appreciate you reading my poem. Blessings

Ink Empress

Date: 3/3/2025 9:59:00 AM

Dear sweet anaya, You are such a thoughtful soul, always using your poetry and creative skills to be a poetic voice for those that are silenced and are done wrong! This is such a powerful poem and this is a story that i ddnt know about so it is reaching many and you are raising awareness on whats going on in this cold cruel world really, which i always admire about you! I really felt the line “Freedom is traded for a false quote Fascists and authoritarians never remote” powerful! Soul hitting! Pleasure reading you always! Sending you light today and always! Praying for a better world

I Am Anaya
Date: 3/3/2025 10:17:00 AM

Ty 's and am overjoyed you are here Ink! This one is here in the States, Samira is a well-known American author, poet, non-fict. and for her YA "Ms. Marvel" series. I love YA, after the experience with Robert's book above, I realized the import. Carrying just as much gravitas every bit as potent as adult novels. Banning is hitting at an all-time high. The books, Ink, that I choose are inspired by MSNBC, these are the best of the best!

David Kavanagh

Date: 3/3/2025 4:59:00 AM

It’s hard to know what sort of future we are heading into Anaya, we had all this book banning stuff over here for most of last century, we overcame it eventually by showing up the book banners as the real enemy of the state, insofar as misogyny and religion goes, we only have to look at how Afghanistan has turned out, and avoid it at all costs, great informative poem, cheers David

I Am Anaya
Date: 3/3/2025 10:25:00 AM

So true David, well I had an idea and warned folks, lol. We're doing the best we can here in the face of reactionary influences, such as those who don't want to recognize any uncomfortable facts concerning American history among other things. I choose the best sellers for my book banning club, but I'm also open to lesser known works I find intriguing. Everyone should be afforded the opportunity to live up to their potential. Absolutely agree with you. Cheers! Ty

Robert Gorelick

Date: 3/2/2025 10:25:00 AM

Thank you for your gracious nod to my YA offering, Anaya. So glad you found it relevant for today's book banning club, you never know how censoring will ultimately playout for poets and writers. Your cover design for the book was spot on! Internment, this dystopian tale seems to have been banned for its depiction of Muslim oppression. Has woke culture gone too far? Not when it deals with valid issues which are helpful to address, is a disturbing cautionary tale which should be taken seriously "Sunshine is the best disinfectant"--Jack Anderson-Journalist in the 60's-70's. I'm faving it!

I Am Anaya
Date: 3/2/2025 1:54:00 PM

Ty for faving!

I Am Anaya
Date: 3/2/2025 1:52:00 PM

I couldn't resist "A Thing of Beauty" an experience I'll never forget. YA is one of my favorite pastimes, and your book has a place in my heart and is on display on my wall shelf, along with "Doggy Limerick Circus" and "The Psycho-Therapist" love it, that one made me -cry- sigh -laugh out loud -angry, everything! Love your books, Robert. Thats a great quote!