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Appreciation post: A challenged history book made me dig into why it was pulled
Our town library pulled a history book over complaints about its portrayal of events. Most folks online cheered the removal, calling it overdue. I checked it out and read it cover to cover, which taught me to look at primary sources myself. Now I think pulling books shuts down needed debate, even if the content is rough. Funny how a banned book can turn you into a part-time historian.
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skyler_mitchell1mo ago
Honestly, I get why you're into this, but pulling one book from a library isn't the end of free speech. Tbh, libraries have to make choices about what they keep all the time. Ngl, if the book had bad facts, maybe it's good they took it out so people don't get the wrong idea. But like, you checking primary sources is great, but that's your own thing. Most folks just go with what they read online anyway. So I don't see it as some huge deal that needs a big fight.
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pat_carter1mo ago
But what if it starts here? I used to think like you.
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caseys301mo ago
Yeah, I saw an article about a school board in some town pulling a history book because it mentioned redlining. They called it "divisive." The book just had the facts, maps and everything. That's how it starts, one book at a time.
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