This Juneteenth, stand up for truth, inclusiveness, and the freedom to access diverse stories that reflect the image of God in all people. As people of faith, we affirm the power of truth telling amidst the growth of book bans and censorship around the country. 

In many states around the U.S., there are efforts to ban books that teach true American history—silencing stories of underrepresented minorities. According to the American Library Association (ALA), 2,452 unique titles were targeted for censorship last year alone. Of these titles, the most targeted books were ones written by Black, queer, and trans authors.  

Banning books is the first step in the erasure of historical knowledge and accountability. As we witness rapid expansion in the attack against DEI programs in schools and the private sector, we also are witnessing the removal of this history from our national museums and archives.  

Stories that share untold histories are sacred and must be protected. Juneteenth—a holiday only recently recognized at the national level—brings long-overdue attention to the true history of our nation, reminding us that freedom and justice for all have often been delayed, especially for Black Americans. This recent recognition underlines how vital it is to tell the whole truth and honor every story in our shared history. The work of teaching honest history and uplifting diverse voices is a sacred ministry rooted in the gospel mandate to “do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God.” 

From the state to the federal level, we must make clear that people of faith believe that history aught not be erased for the comfort of white supremacy and do not want to see any federal funding pulled to censor states and the people’s education. Tell your elected officials and Secretary of Education Linda McMahon today to stop historical erasure through book bans!