LeVar Burton vows to battle conservative group ‘Moms For Liberty’
LeVar Burton Takes a Stand Against Moms for Liberty at National Book Awards
LeVar Burton, beloved star of “Reading Rainbow,” made a bold statement during his hosting duties at the 74th National Book Awards in New York. He didn’t shy away from calling out Moms for Liberty, a conservative group from Florida that has been labeled as extremist by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC).
In his opening monologue, the 66-year-old actor humorously asked if there were any Moms for Liberty in the audience, to which he received laughter in response. He then confidently declared, “No? Good. Then hands will not need to be thrown tonight.”
“Before we get going, are there any Moms for Liberty in the house? No? Good. then hands will not need to be thrown tonight.”
Host LeVar Burton kicks off this year’s National Book Awards ceremony. #NBAwards pic.twitter.com/tQtLj8azGS
— Publishers Weekly (@PublishersWkly) November 16, 2023
Burton, known for his role in “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” also discussed Moms for Liberty in an interview with Esquire. He expressed his satisfaction in learning that very few candidates supported by the group won their races in the 2023 election.
According to Burton, Moms for Liberty is a group that prefers to keep children in the dark, preventing them from knowing the truth. He believes it is our responsibility to stand up for these children, to be their voices and advocates. To him, being an elder in society means protecting the younger generation.
During a previous appearance on “The View,” Burton criticized groups like Moms for Liberty for their opposition to books with sexual content in school libraries and certain racial curricula. He emphasized the importance of confronting our past and not shying away from uncomfortable topics.
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Despite being labeled an extremist group by the SPLC, Moms for Liberty has vowed to take legal action against the organization for defamation.
Related: LeVar Burton: Cancel Culture Is ‘Consequence Culture’
How did Moms for Liberty gain national attention earlier this year, and what were their concerns regarding the content of certain books in school libraries?
“>For too long, Moms for Liberty has been spreading fear and misinformation, using their platform to suppress diverse voices and deny the right to knowledge and education. Well, I’m here to say: enough is enough.” – @levarburton at the #NationalBookAwards
Burton’s remarks were met with applause from the audience, many of whom agreed with his sentiment. The actor, who has always been an advocate for literacy and education, expressed his concern over the tactics employed by Moms for Liberty, saying that their actions go against the very principles of learning and understanding.
“Education is all about learning, exploring different perspectives, and fostering empathy,” Burton stated. “Moms for Liberty’s attempts to censor certain books and ideas only hinder our collective progress in creating a more inclusive and enlightened society.”
Moms for Liberty gained national attention earlier this year when they successfully petitioned to ban certain books from school libraries, citing concerns over content they deemed inappropriate or controversial. The group’s actions sparked a wider debate on the limits of free speech and the role of parents in shaping their children’s education.
Burton, however, firmly believes that parents should be facilitators of knowledge, not gatekeepers. “I come from a generation that thrived on the joy of discovery, where books were our portals to new worlds and ideas,” he explained. “We must not allow fear and ignorance to stifle the intellectual growth of future generations.”
In his poignant speech, Burton also touched upon the importance of reading diverse voices and stories in order to create a more inclusive society. He encouraged parents and educators to embrace literature that represents different cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives, challenging them to engage in meaningful conversations that promote understanding and empathy.
As the audience gave Burton a standing ovation, it was clear that his words resonated deeply. The actor’s heartfelt plea for open-mindedness and intellectual freedom struck a chord with many who believe in the power of education to shape a better future.
LeVar Burton’s stand against Moms for Liberty at the National Book Awards serves as a reminder that the pursuit of knowledge should be unrestricted and inclusive. In a time where division and polarization seem to dominate public discourse, it is crucial that we come together to promote understanding, empathy, and the open exchange of ideas. After all, as Burton eloquently put it, “Books are the transformational tools we need to build a brighter tomorrow.”
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