Pink is using her platform to be an ally as she tours Florida — where LGBTQ+ rights and free speech are threatened.
The nonprofit PEN America officially announced Monday that the pop superstar, 44, is teaming up with the free-speech organization to hand out thousands of banned books at his upcoming concerts in Florida.
As worn by a Grammy winner CONFIDENCE Touring Miami on Tuesday and Sunrise, Fla., on Wednesday, the first 1,000 fans who want to read at each show will be able to walk away with new copies of the often-banned books.
Pink.
Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
The books the hitmaker decided to give away include themes of racial and sexual identity, and the titles include a picture book Family book by Todd Parr, a book for medieval readers from Girls who code series, novel loved one books of poetry by Toni Morrison and Amanda Gorman The hill we climb.
Pink’s partnership comes as Florida has passed laws in recent years that limit free speech in education, such as the Individual Freedom Act, which passed in July 2022 and limits how systemic racism and discrimination are taught in schools and in the workplace, according to the ACLU. Last year, Gov. Ron DeSantis also signed into law, colloquially called “Don’t Say Gay,” a bill to limit the discussion of LGBTQ+ topics in schools.
According to PEN America, the Southern state now ranks first in the nation for the number of banned books in the nation’s public school classrooms and libraries, accounting for more than 40% of all banned books nationwide.
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Frequently banned books.
Daniel Boczarski/Getty
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The “Just Give Me a Reason” singer opened up about why she uses her platform to share banned books with a statement in a press release.
“Books have been a special joy for me since I was a child, and that’s why I’m not willing to stand by and watch while books are banned in schools,” said the singer.
She continued: “It’s especially hateful to see the authorities targeting books about race and racism and against LGBTQ authors and people of color. We have made so many strides towards equality in this country and no one should want that progress to be undone. That’s why I support PEN America in its work and why I agree with them: no more banned books.”
Amanda Gorman’s inaugural song banned — along with 3 race-related books — at a Miami school
The singer-songwriter herself also shared news of the partnership on Instagram by hosting a live chat with author Amanda Gorman, 25, and PEN America executive director Suzanne Nossel on Sunday to bring attention to book bans.
When announcing Instagram Live, she opened up about her personal decision to join the movement. “As a mom of two young readers, I can’t imagine letting someone else decide what MY KIDS can and can’t read!” the “So What” singer — who shares daughter Willow, 12, and son Jameson, 6, with husband Carey Hart — wrote in the caption.
The superstar isn’t the only A-lister speaking out on the matter. In September, more than 175 stars, including singers Ariana Grande and Ava Max, signed an open letter condemning the book bans.
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Pink has long used her platform to advocate for the LGBTQ+ community and women’s rights, among others, and supports charities such as Planned Parenthood, the Human Rights Campaign, and others.
When the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, the “Raise Your Glass” artist took to X (formerly Twitter) to express her frustrations and optimism for a better future. “I think all of our nerves are collectively frayed from so many years of racism, misogyny, homophobia, etc + pandemics, mass shootings, wars and the total insanity, hypocrisy, ignorance of the GOP – it’s all a little too much,” the performer wrote. “But we will stick together. Good will overcome evil.”
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education