TO TELL (YOU) THE TRUTH

On August 5th, I attended a Brave Book reading at my local library, in Prior Lake Minnesota. This event was sponsored by Moms for Liberty (Scott County) in connection with Kirk Cameron and Brave Books. If you are unfamiliar with Brave Books, here is a little bit about them—from their website. 

The Brave Books event lasted about an hour. There were a lot of families and children present. Those in attendance were welcomed by Rachel Carlson, the President of Moms for Liberty Scott County.

Carlson invited a member of the community to come forward and lead the room in the pledge of allegiance. It was wonderful to see see so many children and adults excited and willing to participate in saying the pledge, together.

Once the pledge was completed, Mrs. Carlson shared an alarming statistic about the reading aptitude and comprehension of young children in America, and stressed the importance of books, libraries, and schools in helping to promote and encourage reading for young children.

According to the Department of Education in Minnesota, during the 2021-2022 school year nearly half of all students tested below their grade level in reading.

"We want to fix that", said Carlson. "That's one of our huge goals, with Moms for Liberty, is to help with the academic achievement—especially in Minnesota—and improve all children's experience in the schools".

Despite politically motivated attacks from organizations like the Southern Poverty Law Center—which designated Moms For Liberty as a anti-government extremist group—or even members of the Prior Lake Savage Education Association (the local teacher's union) who recently described local liberty groups as hateful, Carlson made it clear that the efforts of Moms for Liberty Scott County is to promote reading. Not to ban books.

"We are not book banners", said Carlson with a smile. "We want books in the schools. We want children to read books. We know that books are important in everyone's lives". 

FREE ISN'T THE SAME AS FREEDOM
Then came the moment everyone was waiting for. This event was billed as a family-friendly story hour, and reading together was the primary goal of the morning.

Brooke, a school teacher from the Prior Lake Savage Area School district, introduced herself to the children and let them know that she would be reading the Brave Book titled, "The Island of Free Ice Cream"; authored by Jack Posobiec.

This book, along with all of the other Brave Books, not only tells a story but also does so with a purpose. Using the characters of the Brave Book series,  this book dove into the idea of Capitalism vs Communism. The book exposes many myths and misconceptions within Communism, while helping children to understand that they should always be wary when offered something for free; because far too often “free” just might cost you your freedom.

After reading the story together, Brooke took time to talk with the children and ask them who they thought was brave in the story. This interactive portion of the story hour was wonderful, as the children were challenged to use their critical thinking skills to discern and understand what they had just read. The kids were engaged and excited to participate.

There were a few other activities including a silly dance, another story about jealous or overworked or under-appreciated crayons, and an invitation for students to write  thank you letters to their favorite teacher or librarian.

The event was well received, well attended, and a positive and encouraging way to spend a Saturday morning.

BRAVE NEIGHBORS AND NAYSAYERS 
But, apparently not everyone was equally excited about the event. Though the story hour went on without interruption or protest, this past weekend there was an op-ed in the Prior Lake American (the local newspaper) where someone shared their opinion of the previous weekend's event.

Terrence Logelin, who raised his two children to adulthood in the Prior Lake Savage Area school district, wrote an op-ed which was given the title: "Parent Group Has Radical Agenda".

"I was made aware of a new group in the area called Moms for Liberty", stated Mr. Logelin in his letter to the editor. "They have received fairly negative press, but I had no first hand knowledge of what they really stood for so I decided to see for myself by attending their “Story-time for Kids” at the Scott County Public Library in Prior Lake".

Mr. Logelin went on to discuss how the room was packed with parents and their young children. He then described his impression of the story, "The Island of Free Ice Cream". 

"The book they chose to read was loaded with metaphors clearly meant to represent left leaning ideologies", said Mr. Logelin. "I was struck by the references to a group of wolves from Utopia Island where everything is free. Not only did it single out the character’s differences as evil, but the story culminated and advocated the use of violence to deal with these characters".

POLITICALLY PREJUDICED PERCEPTIONS
Now, I want to be fair to Mr. Logelin. I don't know him and I have no idea where he stands politically. However, what I find difficult to understand is why he chose to describe the book, or even the event, the way he did. 

The wolves in the story were not called evil, simply for being different or having a difference in ideology or opinion. They were called evil, because they were evil. They committed evil and oppressive acts to the detriment and injustice of others.

When the wolves came to town to challenge the way of life (in Rushington City), their ideas were initially seen and embraced as good! The animals of the Rushington City heard the wolves claims and even sensed some unfairness and inequality in how life worked. In turn, they took a vote and decided to give the wolves all the power. The wolves first act, as the new authority in town, was to eliminate the animal whom they had blamed for the lack of equity and equality in Rushington City. They did this by banishing Asher; flinging him into the ocean with a huge catapult.

Mr. Logelin also made the assertion that the book promoted violence as a way to deal with the wolves. This simply isn't true. In the story, when the wolves begin to take all the food, centralize power, and mistreat the other animals in Rushington City—Asher finds a way back to the city to help his friends. He tells the other animals what he discovered in the wolves' hometown of Utopia. The animals didn't have free ice cream. In fact, they didn't have much of anything at all. They had sacrificed their freedom, for the promise of getting something for free.

At this point, the animals demand to vote again, but the wolves told them it was too late. They said, "If you want your city back, you'll have to fight for it".

FINDING A STORY BUT LOSING THE PLOT
The rest of Mr. Logelin's op-ed was equally confusing. There were several assertions he made, which seemed to have little or nothing to do with what he saw or experienced during the "See You at the Library" event.

Mr. Logelin initially stated that he had no firsthand knowledge of what Moms for Liberty Scott County stood for. However, after spending an hour with them—while they led kids in the pledge of allegiance, talked about the importance of books and reading, read two books together and did a silly dace with the kids before encouraging them to write thank you letters to their favorite teachers—somehow Mr. Logelin was able to ascertain what Moms for Liberty was really all about.

"I was troubled by this group's clear radical agenda", said Logelin. He continued by stating that it was an agenda to "subvert the youth of our area to their rightwing Christian ideology while demonstrating intolerance for those that don't think like them".

In many ways, it seems like Mr. Logelin's efforts to gather firsthand knowledge of the goals and intentions of Moms for Liberty Scott County, might have been usurped by his own biases. He found a story, but lost the plot.

PROJECTION IS THE SINCEREST FORM OF VILIFICATION
To tell you the truth. I was actually disconcerted when reading Mr. Logelin's description of both the event and Moms for Liberty. How could a man with no firsthand knowledge of the organization come to an understanding that the group had a "clear radical agenda", simply with a morning spent reading a book with a metaphor about Capitalism vs. Communism?

But then I remembered something extremely important. We don't live in a world where truth matters. We don't live in a day and age where things are taken at face value. We live in a culture and a time, primarily driven by partisan politics, where those with whom we disagree can't be seen as neighbors, friends, or even harmless fellow citizens. On the contrary, there wasn't room for Mr. Logelin to leave the event with a neutral outlook on Moms for Liberty. Not because it wasn't possible, but rather because it wasn't an option he was willing to allow.

At no point in time, during the "See You at the Library" event was there ever a mention of politics, religion, or any other ideologies. The only items which could have been perceived as such was the pledge of allegiance (to the American flag), an attendee who brought an "Appeal to Heaven" flag, and a book that eluded to the dangers of Communism; albeit a kid-friendly version of Animal Farm.

So, how did Mr. Logelin get to a place where he could say—in good conscience—that he has "no doubt that if anyone from Moms for Liberty reads [his article], they will consider him evil...because it's apparent that anyone with a different view [from them] is exactly that".  

Friends, this is textbook projection. Moms for Liberty is made up of a diverse group of people. Some are parents. Some are grandparents. Some are citizens. Some are teachers. Some are pastors and some have no religious affiliation at all.

These joyful warriors come from various political, religious, and cultural backgrounds. They do not consider anyone evil, simply because they disagree with them. This assertion is not only silly but is also shameful. Moms for Liberty Scott County does not have a "radical agenda to subvert the youth...with right-wing Christian ideology", as Mr. Logelin asserted. They are not intolerant to views or to people who don't think the same as them. Instead, they are concerned citizens. They see the current state of education in America, and the fruit which many progressive policies in public schools are producing, and they are troubled.

However, these joyful warriors will not be deterred by any individuals or organizations who take it upon themselves to project and displace their own feelings onto them. They won't be demoralized, while these same individuals or organizations make efforts to tell others why they need to be afraid of Moms for Liberty. Instead, they are committed to showing the community who they are, in spite of the efforts of others to tell you who they are. And while Mr. Logelin and many others make efforts to stand in their way—by painting them as radical extremists or a hate group—their resolve and dedication to helping the children of America build a better America will not be thwarted.

To tell you the truth, since so many others would prefer to tell you lies, Moms for Liberty is here, they are unapologetic and unashamed, and they aren't going anywhere.
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