CBLDF’s Executive Director Charles Brownstein has been busy as ever these past few months, making the rounds of TV, radio, and print media to discuss our work defending comics from censorship attempts and our plans for the future!
This week in advance of Giving Tuesday, Brownstein spoke to the Washington Post‘s resident comics expert Michael Cavna about the Fund’s outlook on 2017 and beyond. Whatever we may face in the future, he told Cavna, we’re ready:
CBLDF is preparing our resources for the uncertain legal climate of 2017. While we don’t know what the Trump administration’s Justice Department priorities towards the First Amendment will be, we are already seeing local incidents providing cause for alarm.
For instance, Brownstein cited a Tennessee parent’s recent request to remove an entire 7th grade World History textbook from the curriculum because it informs students about Islam alongside other world religions. The parent claims that this constitutes “Islamic indoctrination” in the public schools, a claim that we’ve heard more frequently in recent years–including in a few challenges to Marjane Satrapi’s Persepolis. Check out the full interview here.
Brownstein has also made some recent appearances in CBLDF’s new home base of Portland, OR. During Banned Books Week in September, he participated in a panel held at Powell’s Books alongside illustrator Jonathan Hill and authors Cory Doctorow and Cathy Camper. Thanks to C-SPAN’s Book TV, you can view the full discussion online here!
This month, Brownstein sat down with S.W. Conser of Portland community radio station KBOO for an episode of the monthly comics-focused program Words and Pictures. The two discussed CBLDF’s mission, as well as our recent publications CBLDF Liberty Annual 2016 and She Changed Comics. Listen to the full interview here!
Thank you to all of our supporters in 2016. As always CBLDF is grateful for your backing so we can continue to defend comics and free speech from whatever may come!
We need your help to keep fighting for the right to read! Help support CBLDF’s important First Amendment work by visiting the Rewards Zone, making a donation, or becoming a member of CBLDF!
Contributing Editor Maren Williams is a reference librarian who enjoys free speech and rescue dogs.