Levar Burton and Stacey Abrams on Book Bans and the Right to Read

In honor of Banned Books Week,Stacey is joined by two guests: Her mom and former librarian, Reverend Carolyn Abrams, and actor, director, and literacy advocate, LeVar Burton. The trio discuss the transformative power of story and strategies to combat book banning.

Subscribe to our channel!

Crooked believes that we need a better conversation about politics, culture, and the world around us—one that doesn’t just focus on what’s broken, but what we can do to fix it. At a time when it’s increasingly easy to feel cynical or hopeless, former Obama staffers Jon Favreau, Jon Lovett, and Tommy Vietor have created a place where people can have sane conversations that inform, entertain, and inspire action. In 2017 they started Crooked with Pod Save America—a no-bullshit conversation about politics. Since then, we continue to add shows, voices, and opportunities for activism, because it’s up to all of us to do our part to build a better world. That’s it. End of mission.

Want some pep talks, the most important things to do/know, and the occasional dog pic? Shoot us a text at [phone]

CHAPTERS:
Book Bans in America: 00:00
Rev. Carolyn Abrams on Reading: 04:10
Levar Burton's Origin Story: 15:30
Levar on Book Bans: 18:27
Toolkit: 49:28

[jeprusan]

“Control the narrative, and you control reality.” So true, Lavar.🔥👏🏼👍🏼 From my days of watching Sesame Street and Reading Rainbow as a little girl, to my decision to become an educator and elementary school librarian as an adult, I’m a big fan of you both.♥️ And I’m so glad that you and Stacey are having this conversation, because you’re exposing the real motive here. They are tired of us talking about the evils of slavery and racial injustice past and present, and this (book ban) is a ploy to silence us.

[charliebrenton]

When Levar Burton talks about reading, every American kid listens! How did we go from Reading Rainbow to burning books, America?!? C’MON!!!

[j.n.sloane]

Libraries are the heart of a community. Libraries are the heart of a culture. We MUST protect our libraries. Thank you for this program. This was an absolutely BEAUTIFUL episode. Thank you, thank you!

[ddieter]

p.s. I let out a gasp and a cheer when I saw Stacey Abrams in the role of President of United Earth in "Star Trek: Discovery."

[elissajaguar]

I loved meeting Stacey's mama. Beautiful, inside and out, just as Stacey is. I also grew up reading the encyclopedia for fun. I teach parenting courses for a living as we become parents by having a child, but we might not know how to raise well-adjusted adults who have good critical thinking skills, emotional intelligence, and the ability to be good citizens without some guidance and knowledge of what parenting skills and tools are available. Leaving the most important job to chance is not something to roll the dice on, imo.

[deeterr]

I get very touchy about this subject. I grew up in a beautiful columned library on Nantucket Island. If was my sanctuary. Where I studied for tests in middle and high school. Met friends in the library park. Where I studied in college. The library is where I basically grew up. I've read everything from Dr. Seuss to the greatest literary writers of our time. Now I have a family of my own, and EVERYONE in this family has a library card! Lol, it's a right of passage. Ban a NOT IN MY WORLD!!! I'LL GO DOWN FIGHTING OF THAT!!!!

[katmeowgarcia]

When the Reverend Carolyn Abrams spoke about why books were important to her, I fully resonated. Growing up in a Red state, I was terrorized for being queer and mixed race. My mother highly valued reading and we all read many books in our house and regularly visited the library. I also read encyclopedias for fun! Books showed me there was another world out there. A world where one day I could travel to and find community who would support me in my dreams and goals a place where I could thrive. I was also highly influenced by the show Reading Rainbow. I loved the show and how it LeVar said, "But don't take my word for it...".

[stevegeorge]

It's absolutely criminal that this podcast, particularly this episode, isn't blowing up. Right here we've got literacy, science fiction, segregation, identity, and a whole host of other topics being discussed by two stars of the Star Trek extended universe. Oh, and one of them was the Democratic candidate for the governorship of Georgia twice

[DanBrown]

Levar!! What a wonderful guest and the perfect person to speak to this topic.

[sylviagable]

I’m geeking out over both Levar Burton and mamma Abram’s. 🤓❤🤓❤🤓❤

[JodyHouser]

I can't imagine the strength and fortitude it takes to not burst into tears when Levar Burton tells you he loves you and so happy you're on this planet. What a beautiful, important episode.

[renegadegeek]

As a child, I read with my Mom and sister and went to our library every week. With my Dad, I watched Star Trek and learned I could be part of making a better future. I shared both these things with my kids. I was even lucky enough to work for my library system, and presently work as a STEM educator. For more than a year, I've worked with others in my rural community to fight for the Right to Read as our public library has been attacked by those who want to ban books. I'm sharing this with our small group of activists dedicated to ensuring every child has the books they need at their local library, had the ability to see themselves represented in their community, and has the opportunity to learn, grow, and dream. I really needed this today. Thank you!

[marnieolson]

This episode is the most wholesome content about a dystopian issue! Book banning upsets me so much. I can't believe people are still so ignorant and want to keep others ignorant too. Libraries and reading saved my life as a child and still do.

[springgeorge]

Your mom is so BEAUTIFUL!! Thank you Rev Abrams for sharing your light and wisdom❣️❣️🙏🏾🙏🏾

[alexlaessle]

Stacey Abrams, you have been my hero since I watched you in the 2018 debate for Governor of Georgia. You are an amazing leader.

[rouxdoux]

Thank you Stacey for always being such a bright, intelligent, amazing light. Thanks so much for introducing us to your lovely mom and also for having one of my personal favorite legends, Levar Burton, on your show. Dedication to literature and knowledge is so important to all of us who wish to be curious, be helpful and do good!

[aprilfoxbilligmeier]

All I can say is beautiful...I to could listen to LaVar all day! Your messages are so important. Thank you for sharing.

[jeffhidalgo]

Mr. Burton is truly America's Reading Ambassador!

[Reldas]

Aimé Césaire's "Discourse On Colonialism" changed my life. Took me a month to finish what should have been a weekend read. That book challenged every piece of my smalltown Texas white girl identity. Césaire made me feel what it was like to live a completely different life from what I knew, for the first time. I LOVE what you're doing Stacey. Keep it up!

[ddieter]

Thanks, Stacey, for having your mama and Levar on the show. I loved hearing about how Rev. Abrams raised all-y'all to be readers; it recalled my own childhood and girlhood, which was full of books. My parents raised my brothers and me to be readers: Pa read everything he could get his hands on, from newspapers to biographies; while Ma grilled us on spelling, grammar, punctuation, and syntax, and was an expert at crossword puzzles. Nothing except truly adult materials was censored: the old folks watched TV with us, and talked with us about things we didn't understand; the original Star Trek provided us with many conversations about current events, human relations, and justice (likewise the Smothers Brothers and even Laugh-In).