The following is the opinion and analysis of the writer:
Judi Moreillon
What is Independence Day if not the day we collectively celebrate freedom? Begun as a recognition of our independence from the tyranny of a king, it also represents how people with disparate heritages, religions, and political philosophies put aside their differences and fought together in solidarity to secure their shared freedom.
For me, and perhaps for you, this 4th of July is a particularly important time to consider the freedoms we hold dear. The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which guarantees the right to read, write, and speak freely, may be the most important among the rights I cherish in 2025.
But as we have experienced over the course of our country’s history, the rights guaranteed by the First Amendment are only as strong as We the People, the courts, and our government representatives are committed to fighting to keep them.
People are also reading…
The right to read books of one’s own choosing has been under attack for several years with efforts to ban books or limit access to reading certain titles in school and public libraries. Acts of censorship are often focused on books that were written expressly for young people. While parents have the right to determine their own children’s reading materials, we must stand up against any who would deny other people’s right to guide their children in exploring the widest range of ideas and life experiences. The right to access information in our nation’s libraries must not be abridged.
The free exchange of ideas is a central tenet of a democratic society. My commitment to the First Amendment means I will stand up for your right to speak by writing a letter to the editor, an op-ed, or any other piece of writing whether or not I agree with you. I expect the same consideration from others. However, as historian Timothy Snyder notes in his book On Freedom: “Truthfulness is not an archaism or an eccentricity but a necessity for life and a source of freedom.” We may have differing opinions but if we cannot agree on the basic facts, then we cannot move forward as a country.
Intellectual freedom is only possible in an environment where all people have equitable opportunities to make choices and express themselves. Our resources for seeking information must be diverse in content and format so that all readers can satisfy their information needs. An inclusive society is also an environment in which all members have a voice and are supported in self- and collective expression. Information environments that honor the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion create the necessary conditions for intellectual freedom.
We can assure a strong society by supporting school, public, and academic libraries and librarians who provide opportunities for all community members, including K-12 students, as they seek to separate facts from misinformation, disinformation, lies, and propaganda. Through the First Amendment’s right to read, speak, and express ourselves, we can be fully engaged citizens who will stand with others to protect these freedoms we hold dear.
On this 4th of July, I am standing up with those who support our First Amendment rights. Join me.
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Judi Moreillon, PhD, is an author, former school librarian, and retired librarian educator. She is a graduate of the University of Arizona and an active member of the Freedom to Read Foundation.
