Reading is Political

Welcome

I'm sure we've all seen the same outpouring of people's claims and wants to keep politics out of book spaces, to let people enjoy what they want to and to let people 'escape.'

That is impossible.

The act of reading itself is political, the fact that you can read is political, the fact that you have access to books is political. Your way of escape is political.

Reading and Literacy itself will always be political. Think back in history to the times that literacy and books have been policed or guarded against. World War II in which the book burnings of Jewish, Queer, and anti-authoritarian books were lit ablaze in large piles, often the people themselves having to toss the books into the fires themselves. Or perhaps in the times of the slaves, where Black peoples weren't allowed to learn to read or write unless they worked in the house, and even then it was rare, just so they wouldn't try to revolt. Or how women in counties deeply rooted in misogyny and the patriarchy are having their schooling cut short.

And despite learning it, History must repeat itself again.

We have all read the books in which the main lead suffers in a flawed and abusive government, needing to overcome it and leading their people to peace. It's a very basic plot in many fantasy novels. That tale in itself is political.

Or the coming of age story in which a teen must grapple with the changes around and within them. Political.

Even the smut and the books with limited plot and the books that are excellent for escaping into are political.

You cannot have one without the other.

In 2023 alone over 10,000 books got challenged and/or banned and I wouldn't be surprised if by the end of this year it was an even bigger number.

We all kind of make fun of Gen. Alpha, children, these days for a lack of literacy. It's not surprising that this correlates at a time in which libraries and other community centers are being defunded at an alarming rate. Many kids these days, due to many reasons, no longer have easy access to books. In school or public libraries, in stores, at home, ect. It's not just the fact that screens are being shoved in their faces to distract them.

Reading as a form of escape is political as well, the fact that you have the privilege and the means to do so says something. The fact that you feel the need to "escape" at all says something.

Every book you read has a statement, whether you are aware of it or not. Whether even the author is aware of it or not. Children's books, middle grade, young adult to adult. They all, yes even the 'smut' books that I mentioned before, have a deeper meaning.

The books you read reflect on your personhood, and the fact that you don't realize that probably means that you should read some more books. Maybe, this time, try some outside your comfort zone.

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Apologies if this is all over the place, but I do hope I made my point. Reading and politics go hand in hand whether you want to it it or not. The "you" in question is obviously hypothetical. Take some time this week to read a book from queer or poc (or both!) author, perhaps even a nonfiction one if you find one that strikes your fancy. In light of recent events in the USA, my dms are always open and I plan on making a post talking about some anti-racist and feminist books, both non-fiction and fiction. You are cherished and you are loved and worth so much. I hope we all live to see another day. If you would like a much more eloquent video talking about this I'd recommend finding Jack Edwards' TikTok on politics in book spaces, he didn't have a full tumbler worth of caffeine several moments ago that are hitting his system lmao.