TELLING ‘EM LIES
Do you think that the governor knows how it looks G D C G
Teaching our children without any books? C G A7 D7
Well, it makes a man wonder just how do you feel? Em G7 C G
And what are you trying to conceal? C D7 G
Oh, teaching is a science, and teaching’s an art.
They give us their trust, and we give ’em our heart.
If you want us to teach, we need freedom of speech,
So, don’t put it out of our reach!
It’s a poor education that cuts out the pain, D G D
And all our mistakes will just happen again. C G A7 D7
If you want ’em to thrive and be strong and be wise, G Em C G
You’ve got to stop telling ’em lies. C D7 G Em
You’ve got to stop telling ’em lies. C D7 G
The world can be cruel and very complex. G D C G
It’s hard to succeed with just half of a deck. C G A7 D7
And it’s better awake than asleep at the wheel, Em G7 C G
And knowing the false from the real. C D G
So put down your rifle and put down your sword. G D C G
The ship doesn’t sail until all are on board. C G A7 D7
You can’t be afraid of kids learning to think. E G7 C G
They’ll be driving before you can blink ! C D G
It’s a poor education that cuts out the pain, D G D
And all our mistakes will just happen again. C G A7 D7
If you want ’em to thrive and be strong and be wise G Em CG
You’ve got to stop telling ’em lies. C D7 G — Em
You’ve got to stop telling ’em lies. C D#dim Em A
You’ve got to stop telling ’em lies. C D7 G —
©Doug Hendren 2023
What’s it about? In a word, censorship: the suppression of words, images or ideas that are considered “offensive” – obscene, or politically threatening to some. It happens when one group succeeds in imposing their personal political or moral values on others. Censorship is at odds with freedom of speech, which is protected by the First Amendment fo the US Constitution. Freedom of speech is essential to a free and independent press, and informed citizens, and ultimately a free nation.
Banning books has been with us since the Catholic Church censored the works of Galileo and Copernicus in the 16th century, who taught that the earth orbits the sun. In US history, numerous classics of American literature have been censored in their time. Many, like Uncle Tom’s Cabin, or Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee, were censored for exposing uncomfortable truths about American history.
In today’s highly polarized political environment, there has been a dramatic rise in censorship, especially in conservative states and counties. Major issues are slavery, race relations, sexuality and gender, but even the holocaust and anti-Semitism have been subject to censorship.
Leading the book-banning movement today are Florida, Texas, and also Pennsylvania. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Ted Cruz (R-TX) and other politicians have conspicuously campaigned in favor of banning books.
Censorship issues may not always be clear-cut, and the desire to limit children’s exposure to material one may view as objectionable is understandable enough. The current trend goes far beyond that, however. Under the guise of protecting children, DeSantis and his ilk are trying to falsify US history. According to a recent report, 16% of currently restricted books are history books or biographies, including some about Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, Sonia Sotomayor, Neil deGrasse Tyson and Malala Yousafzai.
Overprotecting children does not do them any favors. Their education will be inferior. They will have trouble getting into good colleges, and landing good jobs. Censorship promotes ignorance. Avoiding difficult subjects and emotions deprives them of the opportunity to learn how to think.
Many organizations are concerned about books, history and literature being banned in the United States. Here are some things you can do.
Ironically, some efforts to ban books have backfired. In some communities, it is actually increasing readership among young students. Reading is becoming cool again!
I address many complex and “inconvenient” issues on this website, including environmental destruction, overpopulation, forced climate migration, gun violence, the dangers of fracking, and science and climate denial. Driven mainly by the profit motive, numerous big America industries continue to suppress and distort information on these issues as well as the issues discussed above. If we wish to survive and thrive, it is essential to see through the smokescreen and try to see the big picture. This is a habit that is best started when we are young!
All 200+ Books Banned in Florida and What Miami Booksellers Have to Say About It
‘Relentless’ GOP Push Leads to Nearly 1,500 Book Bans in First Half of School Year: Report
