In this episode of Fierce Compassion, we discuss threats to libraries and the liberative power of books with Gavin Downing, a dedicated educator and librarian. Downing is an inspired advocate for the capacity of books to offer inspiration and accompaniment to young people, especially those with marginalized identities. In this conversation, Downing shares his experience fighting book bans, emphasizing the critical need for intellectual freedom and diverse representation in school libraries. Join us as we learn how Downing has used tools of nonviolence and advocacy to ensure that every student can receive the gifts of affirmation, delight, and dignity found in books.

Gavin Downing has been in education over 17 years, and a teacher-librarian for over 10. He successfully stopped an attempt to ban books in his school library in 2022, and has been recognized by both the Washington Library Association and the Washington Education Association for his work.

Here's the episode transcript: https://antiracistconversations.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Fierce-Compassion-Episode-21-Transcript-Libraries-Under-Threat-with-Gavin-Downing1.pdf

Mentioned in the episode:

Gavin’s Book Challenge response https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jFtxm3IXaAR6KD7JsdLR8g3Lbkb4KFna/view

Organizations

GLSEN https://www.glsen.org/about-us

Federal Way Education Association http://www.federalwayea.org/

Articles

Kent middle school librarian wins intellectual freedom award, Seattle Times https://www.seattleweekly.com/news/kent-middle-school-librarian-wins-intellectual-freedom-award/

LGBTQ+ Books Quietly Pulled From Washington State Middle School, Book Riot https://bookriot.com/lgbtq-books-quietly-pulled-from-washington-state-middle-school/

Books

Jack of Hearts (and Other Parts) by Lev AC Rosen https://www.levacrosen.com/jack-of-hearts

Are you there God, It’s me Margaret by Judy Blume https://judyblume.com/judy-blume-books/middle-books/middle-margaret/

If I was Your Girl by Meredith Russo https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/26156987

All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson https://iamgmjohnson.com/book-2/

Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Gender-Queer-A-Memoir/Maia-Kobabe/9781549304002

You can find transcripts and more episodes of Fierce Compassion at ⁠http://antiracistconversations.com/fierce-compassion-podcast⁠.

Stay current with Roxy and Sarah's personal work at ⁠roxannemanning.com⁠ and ⁠sarahpeyton.com⁠.

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Podcast Manager: Talli Jackson

Audio Editor: Brendan Youngquist