Conclusion: Burn after reading.

    What did we learn? Currently the United States has seen a resurgence to calls for book bans. In 42 recorded states between Spring and fall of 2023 the number of banned books has increased from 1,841 to 4,349.^[1] While the conservative narrative has shifted away from fears of Communism, it is now targeting the more vulnerable populations, accusing those in the LGBTQ+ community of nefarious acts, or vague statements about “Wokeness” in relation to race, which often is poorly explained. Where there once was a Margaret Plattner, there are now Majorie Taylor Greene’s, where we once had Joel T. Broyhill, we now have Ron DeSantis. Yet just as we have those amalgamations of ultra-conservative sycophants, we also still have the Fairfax County Public Library. Which recently celebrated its 85th anniversary, making note of its Bookmobile from its past and the original $250 put down by the original Board of Supervisors as a first step to its expansion.^[2] The library made note of the books which also share its anniversary, one being John Steinbecks, The Grapes of Wrath. Which can tell us what we learned from all this when he wrote, “And the little screaming fact that through all history: repression works only to strengthen and knit the repressed.”

Questions to Explore

    In my time researching this topic I found myself exploring a multitude of 'rabbit holes' leading me off the beaten path of information. Groups like the Taxpayers Alliance and Homeowners Federation of Arlington organizing and lobbying against Civil Rights, while fear mongering about the Communist dystopia just around the corner. There's a very real connection between those fears and the "white anxiety," felt even today, when topics about critical race theory and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are brought up as being included in education and public spaces. Often these groups and individuals promote their messages using subtle suggestions that the poor and racialized groups are the greater threat to an nebulous ideal society, typically the upper middleclass white families.

    Further exploration into how the Christian Evangelicals became some of the loudest supporters of political conservatives who weaponized desgregation as a profound threat to the country.

    Finding out what became of Margaret Plattner after her release from the Democratic Party in Fairfax, and failed election. Whether her involvement with the Taxpayer's Alliance became more prominent or if she had any further support.

    One of the more shocking parts, or maybe not for a political cynic, is how quickly and casually Congressman Broyhill was willing to enter into the congressional records Julien Bryan's guilt. No evidence was presented, nor did Broyhill or any of his staff bother to watch the films in question, yet had no issue in attempting to publically crucify a man for political gain. Which makes one wonder how much of Broyhill's career is based off fabricating proof to gain credit and support. Such a pattern would invalidate his entire record as a politician, if any good came of it. Though his strong stance against Civil Rights may have done enough damage to his reputation as it is.

   Finally if anymore information can be gathered about the demographics of what percentage of African Americans were able to access the library and the film events. As the timing of Virginia undergoing its school desegregations, and some libraries still being segregated depending on the county. Would shape a narrative as to why these conservative groups became so agitated.

[1] Baêta, Banned in the USA: Narrating the Crisis, (Pen America, 2024)

[2] Fairfax County Library, Fairfax County Library Turns 85, (https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/fairfax-county-public-library-turns-85, 2024)