YWCA El Paso del Norte Region has partnered with the City of El Paso to create a Banned Books section in every library! Books have been challenged and banned throughout history and we are seeing a reemergence today. Silencing and limiting of stories, histories, and points of view of anyone are direct attacks on the people who write and who are represented in those books. Banned and challenged books are usually ones that tell stories by and about historically marginalized people and communities. Stories about and by Black, Latinx, Indigenous, Asian people and by members of the LGBTQ+ community are too often left out of history textbooks and standard curricula. As our society works towards greater equity (and eliminating racism and empowering women), it is important that all El Pasoans have access to stories that represent them, that these stories are available for all, and that citizens are encouraged to learn about and read stories about communities other than their own.
You can support this initiative by purchasing a book from our Amazon Wish List (they will be delivered directly to YWCA!) or making a donation towards the initiative online here. If you would like to purchase books locally, you may drop them off at any of our open gyms!