Let Freedom Read - Banned Books Week
Plus, a little bit of Rock-n-Roll history and the start of spooky season.
It's Banned Books Week, October 1 – 7, 2023.
“Banned Books Week was launched in 1982 in response to a sudden surge in the number of challenges to books in libraries, bookstores, and schools. … The annual event highlights the value of free and open access to information and brings together the entire book community — librarians, educators, authors, publishers, booksellers, and readers of all types — in shared support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas.”
- About Banned Books Week, The American Library Association (ALA)
Even though this annual event was started in 1982, it seems to be even more at the forefront this year. It feels like news of schools, libraries, and bookstores being told to remove books from their shelves or teachers and librarians being harassed is being reported weekly.
This year's theme is “Let Freedom Read!”
“Our 2023 Banned Books Week theme – ‘Let Freedom Read' – captures what's at stake for our democracy: that the safety of our right to speak and think freely is directly in proportion to our right to read. ALA encourages libraries in every context to mark Banned Books Week by inviting other groups within their communities to celebrate and take action to protect our freedom to read all year long.”
- Lessa Kanani'opua Pelayo-Lozada, former ALA President
We can see this trend of censorship here in Oklahoma. Over the last couple of years, a Republican-controlled state legislature has passed book and lesson-banning legislation (See HB 1775). Even the current Oklahoma State Superintendent of Education, Ryan Walters, has launched a campaign of harassment of Oklahoma schools with a right-wing fueled agenda.
“Book banning is censorship, and violates our free speech rights. It's really that simple.” - The ACLU
Unfortunately, the only way to stop this is by spreading awareness that it's happening and by voting in the next round of elections. All elections matter, from your local school board all the way up to the President of the United States
Let Freedom Read!
So, here's your call to support your local teachers, librarians, and shopkeepers. Read a banned book, read a ban book with your children, and vote in all elections.
“There has never been a time when the people who've banned books were the good guys” – something I saw on a t-shirt
More Information:
Spooky Season
It's October and you know what that means. It's spooky season!
This month, I plan to watch as many spooky season movies as I can. I've already got a head start this weekend by watching the Vincent Price classics The Abominable Dr. Phibes (1971) and Dr. Phibes Rises Again (1972). I'm sharing what movies I end up watching on Mastodon and in a list on Letterboxd.
If you would like to watch as many spooky season movies as you can, check out YouTube. You'll find many posted there for free. Here's a good playlist to get you started: 2000+ Classic Horror Movies
Do you know what is truly spooky? I'm also taking on the #blogmonth challenge this month to post something in my blog every day. Please read last week's newsletter for more information about the writing challenge. If you would like to see how well I do, you can visit my personal blog at programwitch.com.
More later. Time to pop some popcorn and get my spooky on.
In The News
A look at some of the latest headlines from around our Oklahoma and beyond.
OKPOP acquires James Garner memorabilia | Public Radio Tulsa
Kiowa Tribe meets with officials from Texas city to discuss turning Hobart in a ‘Smart City' | KSWO
Public access remains limited at Oklahoma State Board of Education meetings | Oklahoma Voice
State Supt. looks to slash $47M from next year's education budget | KFOR
Muscogee Freedmen take step toward citizenship following tribal court ruling | KOSU
Texas' ban on certain drag shows is unconstitutional, federal judge say | The Texas Tribune
Library honoring the late Sen. John McCain to be built at ASU in Tempe | Arizona's Family
In Oklahoma History
On September 29, 1957, after a performance at the “Biggest Show of Stars for '57” at the Oklahoma City Municipal Auditorium, rock-n-roll legends Buddy Holly and The Crickets would attend the closing night at the Oklahoma State Fair.
After that the band would travel to the Tinker Air Force Base Officer's Club in Midwest City, Oklahoma for an all-night recording session. There the band would record: "An Empty Cup", "Rock Me My Baby", "You've Got Love", and "Maybe Baby". These songs would appear on their debut album, The "Chirping" Crickets.
Unfortunately, this was the only album released with the Crickets during Buddy Holly's lifetime. On February 3, 1959, Buddy Holly would be killed in a plane crash with other rock-n-roll legends Ritchie Valens and J. P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson and pilot Roger Peterson.
In 1992, a plaque with an original 45 rpm record of "Maybe Baby” was dedicated and placed in the Tinker Officers Club. During renovations the plaque was almost discarded but was saved by a worker and given to Oklahoma Buddy Holly researcher Graham Pugh for safe keeping. The original plaque was returned to the Tinker Officers Club in 2008.
More Information:
The "Chirping" Crickets - Buddy Holly & The Crickets (1957)
About Oklahoma: Blaine County
Blaine County is located in central west Oklahoma. The county was one of several counties created by the Land Run of 1892. Originally called County C in 1890, was later named for U.S. Secretary of State James G. Blaine. Watonga, Oklahoma is the county seat and the county's largest city. It's located near the center of the county at the intersections of U.S. Highway 270, State Highway 8 and State Highway 3. Other notable communities include Geary and Hyro1 in the southern, Canton in the northwestern, and Hitchcock and Okeene in the northeastern parts of the county. The county is also home to Canton Lake, the Roman Nose State Park and Lodge, and the annual Watonga Cheese Festival.
Established: 1890
County Seat: Watonga, Oklahoma 73772
Map: Google Maps
Area: 929 mi2 (2,406 km2)
Population: 8,735 (2020 Census)
Time Zone: UTC−6 (Central), DST observed
Area Code: 580
Congressional District: 3
State House District: 55, 59
State Senate District: 26
Weather: NWS Norman
Tourism Region: Red Carpet Country
History: Oklahoma Historical Society
Historic Places: Exploring Oklahoma History
More Information: Wikipedia
1. Hydro, Oklahoma, sits on the Blaine and Caddo county line.
Extras
Here are some more things I hope you'll find interesting.
Raspberry Pi 5: EVERYTHING you need to know | Jeff Geerling
I just had to make a Starfield Jacket! | Hullo! It's Icy Sews
🎃 Lofi Halloween Mix 5 🎃 [Dark Lofi Hip Hop Beats by Dated]
Feedback Welcome
If you have any comments or questions, please feel free to leave a comment on Substrack, email me at blogoklahoma@blogoklahoma.net, or connect with me at Mastodon at @blogoklahoma@social.tulsa.ok.us or Threads at @blogoklahoma@threads.net.
Have a great week.
– K.
Accidently left the s off books in the title. Didn't notice until after I published. Annoying that. Ha. Oh well. Fixed it.