Posting Through It 038: MAGA’s War on Free Speech feat. Kelly Jensen
Sep 22, 2025
Kelly Jensen, a former librarian and dedicated writer, shares her insights on the alarming rise of book bans and the attacks on public libraries. She discusses how language around 'removal' masks censorship efforts by groups like Moms for Liberty. The conversation dives into tactics like context-stripping and automated tools targeting literature. Kelly also highlights the harassment facing librarians and the pressing need for community support, wrapping up with a thoughtful reading list for listeners eager to learn and take action.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Book Bans Rebranded As 'Curation'
- The book-banning wave accelerated in 2021 and weaponized terms like 'curation' to sanitize removals.
- Targets concentrate on critical race theory, sexuality, and social-emotional learning language.
Defend Libraries By Engaging Locally
- Monitor local school boards and vote in local elections to prevent takeover by single-issue groups.
- Hold boards accountable because local victories are replicated county to county.
Context Gets Erased In Challenges
- Banners cherry-pick passages and present them out of context to portray whole books as obscene.
- When review panels read full texts, outcomes often differ from the cherry-picked narrative.
