Preserving Stories and Fighting Bans
A reflection on Redwood Court and school board meetings
[Dear readers: This issue contains discussions of white supremacy.]
“Maybe there’s a bigger something to go after that won’t never be finished…You have all these stories inside you—that’s what we have to pass on—all the stories everyone in our family knows and all the stories everyone in our family tells. You have the stories you’ve heard and the ones you’ve yet to hear. The ones you’ll live to tell someone else…You write ‘em in your books and show everyone who we are.”
The quote above ends the prologue of Redwood Court, a novel by DéLana R.A. Dameron that focuses on a family in South Carolina in the 1990s through the eyes of the youngest daughter, Mika. Urged by her grandfather, Teeta, to document her life, Mika begins her journal, and we readers follow from childhood to age 16. And throughout this time, we see her bond with her grandparents, learn about the vulnerabilities of parents, get her first job and first crush, and discover her own passions. We witness misogynoir and legacies of resistance. We see the mundane and the surprising. We see, as Teeta tells Mika, “all these stories.”
In a note to readers at the end of the novel, Dameron writes: “For many years, I fell into the cracks of sadness and what felt like a kind of personal failure whenever I reckoned with the fact that parts of my DNA will forever be lost…[but] we don’t have to wait a hundred more years to tell the truthful story of the reality that even as Black folks entered a new millennium, they still struggled to locate the supposed promise of freedom and equality that makes up the fabric of America…We have our stories. We have our accounts. We can write and become the archives.”
And as we witness a changing, backsliding, era, one that in many ways will be documented through a revisionist, white supremacist lens, this storytelling is increasingly important. Writing our every days—yes, the actions we took, the moments of resistance, but also the quiet moments of love, of acceptance, of beauty. And not simply writing them, but publishing them, reading them, amplifying them, especially the stories of those who are most impacted by the decisions of our current administration.
Redwood Court shows that we are the primary sources, we are living history. “It’s about battles, Mika,” her father says. “Sometimes you lose a battle but can still win the war.” We might lose over the next four years, but with our stories and histories, we will build a better, more equitable society.
If you liked Redwood Court, read…
Memphis by Tara M. Stringfellow
Godshot by Chelsea Bieker
Red at the Bone and Another Brooklyn by Jacqueline Woodson
Other books we are reading (or hope to read) this month:
✅Waiting for the Long Night Moon
✅🎧Deep End
🗓️Too Soon
Note: For books we have completed, we’ll only include here ones we recommend!
Books new to our TBR:
The Summers Between Us by Noreen Nanja
The 2025 ad astra Readership Challenge: “Join a local school board meeting.”
These days, it’s impossible to separate a discussion of preserving stories from the rampant censorship and book bans taking place. Book bans continue to surge in an attempt to erase BIPOC, disabled, and LGBTQIA+ identities and uphold white, cishet norms. But despite blanket censorship legislation being proposed, and SCOTUS set to hear a case on “parental rights” later this term, more than 70% of voters oppose book bans. So how is this happening?
A common argument we’ve seen publishers and others make is that bans are led by “just a few people,” and by addressing them, “we’re giving them legitimacy.” Which, frankly, is ignorant. Yes, these bans are being orchestrated by a small number of individuals—but their coordination and organization has led to an extreme impact on schools and libraries across the country and in shaping legislation enacted by Trump’s administration.
This coordination is exactly why we included “join a local school board meeting” as a prompt. Because while the majority of folks oppose book bans, clearly we aren’t doing enough to combat them. Joining and speaking out at these meetings are strategic, impactful ways to address censorship. (Note: While the challenge doesn’t specify an issue, we’re going to focus on book bans as an example. Many of these tips also apply to public library boards as well.)
Step 1: Learn about your school district’s governance.
It’s often as simple as searching online for [your county’s name] + [school board] or [school district]. If it’s not clear where information about the board is listed on the district’s website, check the About Us section, Departments, etc.
Sometimes the board isn’t the first body to speak to; sometimes the superintendent, for example, might be the best person suited. The Human Rights Campaign recommends simply calling your school and asking.
Once you’re on the board’s page, you should see information such as:
When and where they meet
Past and upcoming agendas/minutes
Rules for public discussion/commentary
Links to recordings of past meetings
You’ll want to read and watch these resources to get a better understanding.
Step 2: Prepare.
Look at upcoming agendas and/or current topics under review. If the issue is not already on the agenda, reach out in advance about adding it to the agenda, or so that they are aware you plan to discuss it during open discussion. (Step 3 also can come into play here—the more people that ask for a topic to be added to an agenda, the better.)
Once you’ve confirmed you will be speaking, whether by having an item added to an agenda or signing up for open discussion (if needed), plan your speech. You’ll want to address:
Who you are
What you’re speaking about
Why it’s important
The impact of their decision/What they should do
Thank them for their time
You might include stats or quotes on why the book is important, or testimonials from students and teachers. (Unite Against Book Bans’ book résumés can come in handy here.)
Most open discussions have a limit of three minutes per person, so practice and time yourself.
Step 3: Spread the word.
Tell your friends and family, and even organize with other local groups in the area. More people in the audience for an issue shows the board that more people share your perspective and concerns.
Step 4: Show up, and speak out.
You’re ready and you got this!
Step 5: Hold them accountable.
The work doesn’t end once we speak up. After the meeting, email your board your points. Continue showing up to more meetings, speaking and organizing with others in your community, and letting the board know your concerns. We might not always win, but we can keep pushing.
“It doesn’t take bravery to speak, it takes time and hope.” —Carmen, @tomesandtextiles
Carmen of @tomesandtextiles has been a huge advocate in her local community against book bans. If you’d like to learn more about her experiences, check out these videos of her speaking at school board meetings (one on book bans, the other on Pride Month) and volunteering for her library’s board. You’ll note that speaking up in support of issues can be just as important.
And if you really want to make a change, consider running for the board yourself and raising awareness for local elections. According to the Brookings Institute, only 5-10% of individuals vote in school board elections.
Additional resources:
📚 About the challenge:
Want to participate? Join our Broadcast Channel on Instagram, follow our newsletter, and get your friends to join!
Folks who complete all the prompts by EOY will be entered to win a $100 gift card to their indie bookstore of choice. Those who finish at least six of the prompts will receive an exclusive ad astra sticker. In December, we'll share a submission link to complete as proof of participation. (Our downloadable tracker will be helpful for this!)
Other publishing updates:
Bookshop.org has launched ebooks—meaning you can now support independent bookstores with your digital reads. Learn more in our recent video.
Librarians are being ripped off when it comes to digital materials—here’s why.
Thanks so much for taking the time to read! If you enjoyed this newsletter, please share with friends, and consider subscribing if you have not yet already. Also, in case you missed it, we have launched prints! Learn more and place an order here.
We’ll be back in a few weeks with the latest publishing updates.
Xx,
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