Sunday, November 07, 2004
Politics in Bookstores
I've drafted at least three posts regarding this week's election, none of them suitably expressing my anger at the current state of politics. Here's what it comes down to...I believe bookstores should be open places to everyone regardless of political affiliation. Bookstores should carry books expressing a wide range of opinions. The perfect bookstore becomes a marketplace of ideas for people to educate, entertain, and inform themselves.
So as tempting as it may be to say bookstores should become activists during the next election, I still feel bookstores and booksellers, when on-duty, should remain nonpartisan and welcoming to everyone.
Unless a bookstore has a declared political stance, all political book displays should carry as many of the bestselling or important political books as possible and strive to not show a bias. You'll never know if a democrat is buying Ann Coulter or a republican is buying Michael Moore to educate themselves on the other side's opinions. Denying access to these books can be viewed as undemocratic or contrary to what I see as an important role/fundamental community service of bookstores.
Often I meet booksellers who only want to sell books they believe are "good" or represent ideas that agree with their own. But I think it’s almost more important to read ideas that you disagree with in order to better understand your own.
This blog will attempt to stay focused on bookselling issues and not get caught up in politics except as it directly relates to bookselling.
But do not read that as apathy.
I have very, very strong opinions on the issues that became the battlegrounds for this election. But this isn't the forum to discuss those issues. I recommend Andrew Sullivan for discussion on what happened with the same-sex marriage bans in 11 states. I strongly recommend everyone check out the CNN election map to see how each county in every state voted on the president, senate races, and ballot initiatives. I hope CNN keeps this space up because it's a fascinating look at our political climate at a county level.
If you disagree with how the election went in 2004, do something to create positive change now, without waiting for 2008. Here's my suggestion: Take the position that for the next four years you will work on issues that strengthen American communities. Choose an issue that you feel strengthens your community and get involved.
For me, the issue is locally-owned bookstores. I see them as positive elements of a community that need to be supported in every way possible. Local bookstores serve as a barometer for the economic and cultural sustainability of a community. They are also great third places for people to gather, to read, and to share information.
Let's do what we can to help local booksellers stay informed about new books, to promote these bookstores to new customers and within the larger book community, and help them grow to even better serve their communities. That's our issue here at Anthembooks, and that's what we’ll stay focused on.
UPDATE: Check out the Purple Map of America. It shows each county as either red or blue on the opposite ends, or purple if the results were in the middle. The purple areas are where the political parties will need to devote energy for the next four years.
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So as tempting as it may be to say bookstores should become activists during the next election, I still feel bookstores and booksellers, when on-duty, should remain nonpartisan and welcoming to everyone.
Unless a bookstore has a declared political stance, all political book displays should carry as many of the bestselling or important political books as possible and strive to not show a bias. You'll never know if a democrat is buying Ann Coulter or a republican is buying Michael Moore to educate themselves on the other side's opinions. Denying access to these books can be viewed as undemocratic or contrary to what I see as an important role/fundamental community service of bookstores.
Often I meet booksellers who only want to sell books they believe are "good" or represent ideas that agree with their own. But I think it’s almost more important to read ideas that you disagree with in order to better understand your own.
This blog will attempt to stay focused on bookselling issues and not get caught up in politics except as it directly relates to bookselling.
But do not read that as apathy.
I have very, very strong opinions on the issues that became the battlegrounds for this election. But this isn't the forum to discuss those issues. I recommend Andrew Sullivan for discussion on what happened with the same-sex marriage bans in 11 states. I strongly recommend everyone check out the CNN election map to see how each county in every state voted on the president, senate races, and ballot initiatives. I hope CNN keeps this space up because it's a fascinating look at our political climate at a county level.
If you disagree with how the election went in 2004, do something to create positive change now, without waiting for 2008. Here's my suggestion: Take the position that for the next four years you will work on issues that strengthen American communities. Choose an issue that you feel strengthens your community and get involved.
For me, the issue is locally-owned bookstores. I see them as positive elements of a community that need to be supported in every way possible. Local bookstores serve as a barometer for the economic and cultural sustainability of a community. They are also great third places for people to gather, to read, and to share information.
Let's do what we can to help local booksellers stay informed about new books, to promote these bookstores to new customers and within the larger book community, and help them grow to even better serve their communities. That's our issue here at Anthembooks, and that's what we’ll stay focused on.
UPDATE: Check out the Purple Map of America. It shows each county as either red or blue on the opposite ends, or purple if the results were in the middle. The purple areas are where the political parties will need to devote energy for the next four years.
