• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Skip to footer navigation

  • Calendar of events
  • 687 Larch Av, Teaneck NJ
  • 201-836-5187
  • Contact Us
  • DONATE
Ethical Culture Society of Bergen County NJ

Ethical Culture Society of Bergen County NJ

  • Home
  • About
    • Platform
    • FAQ
      • How does Ethical Culture make a difference in society?
      • What social life is there in Ethical Culture?
      • How is Ethical Culture religious?
    • Ethical Brew
    • Ceremonies
    • Philosophy
    • Constitution & Bylaws
    • Contact Us
  • Ethical Kids
    • Sunday School
      • Primary Class
      • Elementary Class
      • Junior Class
      • Senior Class
      • Sunday school FAQ
    • Youth Group
  • Leader
    • Leader Curt Collier
    • Leader’s Talks
    • Joe Chuman, Retired Leader
      • Talks by Dr Joseph Chuman
      • Speaking of Ethics: Living a Humanist Life
      • Wedding Officiant
  • Social Action
    • All Social Action Articles
    • Battling Racism
    • Environmental Action
    • Healthcare
  • Adult Education
    • Accountability Circle
      • Anti-racism
      • Gender Explorations
    • Conversemos
    • Job Club
    • Socrates Cafe
    • Open Mic
    • Mindfulness Mediation
    • Ethical Culture Review of Books
  • News
    • President Column
    • UN Report
    • Platform Addresses
    • Member News
  • Events

Take a Stand: Banned Books & Banned Humans Festival

March 5, 2023

Censorship is not about paper, but about silencing the voices of others. This year, we’ve expanded our annual Banned Books Festival — April 2, 11 am to 12:30 pm at the meetinghouse — to include banned humans. This will remind everyone that banning books shuts out the stories of those whose choices and experiences highlight the reality and diversity of life in America. We are adding storytelling, as well.

Want to tell your story?

If you have a compelling story you’d like to share, please describe it briefly here and we will reach out to you. During the event, we will feature speakers who will share their personal stories. Sample stories include efforts to fully tell the history of Black Americans, stories of individuals oppressed by the dominant culture, First Nation individuals challenging notions of American exceptionalism, nonbinary or gender-neutral persons talking about the pressure of conformity, and stories from transgendered youth or from those in polyamory relationships.

If you’ve lived it and know books about the topic are being banned, we’d love to hear from you.

More ways to be involved

We’d love to have your help in one or more of the following ways:

  • During the event, readers will volunteer to read 10-minute selections from banned books on one of three stages.
  • Stage coordinators will remind participants when their time to read is coming up and alert readers that their time is ending.
  • Roving musicians will provide musical interludes. There is also a stationary piano in the main room.
  • Café staff to serve coffee and food and chefs to donate cookies, cakes, finger foods.
  • Overseeing the craft table and other activities for young adults, scheduled in shifts.
Sign up to volunteer

If you can’t volunteer, but you would like to come and listen–welcome! Let’s work together to preserve free speech, an essential part of our democracy.

New books for young readers

We’re collecting new books at the festival, which will be distributed to young readers through the Bergen Family Center in Englewood. We are also accepting monetary donations at the festival toward the purchase of new books.

If you’re looking for suggestions, here’s a recommended reading list of inclusive, diverse books for young children, provided by HealthyChildren.org

Want to know more?

Authors say banning books is a political action intended to silence marginalized voices.

Sample the power of stories in a “human library.”

Printable flier

Curt Collier

Primary Sidebar

Recent News

  • My Father’s Ashes
  • ‘Ascension Blocked:’ A Poem of a Heart Attack
  • Community Weekend is Back!
  • Gender Explorations Accountability Circle Update
  • What Makes a Space Sacred? You’re Invited to Help Create the Answer

Sign up for our newsletter.

Follow us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

We believe in ethics. We believe in people.

Please believe in us.

Ethical Brew

Being White And Its Hidden Assumptions

Film Screening, ‘Contradiction: A Question of Faith’

About Us

Ethical Culture was founded to focus on community and good works, rather than personal salvation. Read more…

Archives

Footer

Follow us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Connect with Us

Address: 687 Larch Ave, Teaneck, NJ 07666
Phone: 201-836-5187
Email: [email protected]

Sign up for our newsletter.

 

Recent Posts

  • My Father’s Ashes March 26, 2023
  • ‘Ascension Blocked:’ A Poem of a Heart Attack March 24, 2023
  • Community Weekend is Back! March 17, 2023
  • Gender Explorations Accountability Circle Update March 5, 2023
  • What Makes a Space Sacred? You’re Invited to Help Create the Answer March 5, 2023
Our Society’s Covid-19 Guidelines

We believe in ethics. We believe in people.

Please believe in us.

Topics

atheism atheist church book review children church-state separation civil rights climate change community compassion death democracy Doris Friedensohn Elizabeth Warren environment Ethical Brew Ethical Culture ethical education ethics family Felix Adler gender global warming happiness healthcare humanism humanist humanists human rights Israel Joseph Chuman meetinghouse Middle East politics racism religion Robert Gulack Secular Humanism social action Socrates Cafe Sunday School transgender Trump unemployment world health youth

What We Do For Fun….

There's always time for play: celebrations, discussions (some in Spanish -- find Conversemos on our calendar), hikes, picnics, cultural outings, and more. Come join us!
Kids get into the act
Diane running the show

Important Links

  • Member of the American Ethical Union
  • Ethical Brew
  • Sanctuary Committee
  • BC Gun Violence Prevention
  • NJ Website Designer
© 2023 | The Ethical Culture Society of Bergen County NJ

Copyright © 2023 · Kreativ Pro On Genesis Framework · The Ethical Culture Society of Bergen County · Log in

  • Calendar of events
  • 687 Larch Av, Teaneck NJ
  • 201-836-5187
  • Contact Us
  • DONATE