Instead of banning ‘subversive’ books, improve people’s literacy

The removal of books with “subversive content” from state university libraries confirms the nation’s status as an underdeveloped country. In fact, it lowers the level of our civilization.

These so-called subversive books, alongside books on anti-communism and the local anti-communist movement in libraries, would have been a good sign of cultural maturity. University libraries must have an ample collection of books of various persuasions and viewpoints for use by students and teachers for their academic needs. This will enrich the capability of our scholars to come out with more objective, meaningful, and relevant research.

Reportedly, it was the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-Elcac) through the military that “harassed” library personnel to withdraw these “subversive” materials (more specifically, books authored by Jose Ma. Sison and the National Democratic Front).

If the NTF-Elcac believes that the government has the right formula for national development, it should not be afraid of books that are accessible only to those in the academe (being in university libraries). If these agents of the state and preservers of the status quo believe that what they are doing is for the good of the country, then they should not be threatened by documents that present alternative socio-political-economic analyses and alternative programs for the people’s welfare and the nation’s development.

In fact, these kinds of books should be read by more people outside of the academe, especially the rabid anti-communists, so they will know what communism is all about (its history, meaning, and the personalities behind it) and they will have an educated understanding of why they are against it.

The government should be happy that groups and individuals are condemning the withdrawal of the “subversive” books. It means there are still Filipinos who value culture and reading. Instead of withdrawing books from state university libraries, the government should focus on the more basic problem of improving literacy among our people.

Julie L. Po, Linangan ng Kulturang Pilipino

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