I am a hard core bibliophile. Thanks Levar for a life of advocating literacy. I watched Roots with my family when it first played. The nation was better for it. Thanks Jordy.

LeVar Burton, who we saw in *Reading* Rainbow, THE most beloved, wholesome, valuable Children's and Youth's Television show in the History of Television, is invited as *Guest* of *Honor* .

The sad thing about book 📚 banning, is that it's by people with low reading comprehension.

Burton is 66 years old yet he looks 40.

„Banned Books Week“ is one of the saddest things to have in an informed society.

"Read the banned books because that's where the good stuff is.". Levar Burton Words to build a lifetime's reading list by

She held it together so much better than I would have. The impact LaVar Burton had on lives, on my life -- and still does! These are fights worth fighting.

Anyone, or party, who attempts to ban books, or libraries, should be, MUST be, instantly arrested and put in jail for immediate bench trial sentencing. Such act is a crime against Humanity.

"I read to entertain myself, to educate myself, as a way to enlighten myself--as a way to challenge my beliefs about myself." ~ LeVar Burton, American actor, director, writer, and activist. Greatly beloved for his work on "Reading Rainbow." 🌈

Love Lavar Burton. Thank you for bringing him into the conversation.

I have always loved Levar Burton! I watched Reading Rainbow as a PBS kid growing up poor in a mobile home in the woods of Florida. He was an adult friend who talked about the joy of reading to me like I wasn’t a kid. I truly want to thank him for what he gave me in my youth!

"Those who burn books will in the end burn people." --- Heinrich Heine, German Poet.

Ladies and gentlemen, if Levar says a book is ok within context and relative situation - *THE BOOK IS OK*

If we can not learn about past mistakes due to censorship, we are bound to repeat them.

"As an educator, it's my duty to empower you to think. So that you can go forth and think 🤔 accurate thoughts about how the world is put together." ~ Neil deGrasse Tyson, American astrophysicist, writer, and speaker.

This country even forgotten the true history of "Thanksgiving which most, if not all, Americans celebrate every year. Personally, I think banning books in a country is the worst thing governments and parents could ever do to their children and dependents.

I now live in Florida, from Detroit, Mi. I was/ am a teacher with focus on literacy and reading/ phonics, etc… Banning books should be a crime! It is ridiculous. Books are educational and informational and censorship is not okay!!

I remember watching “Roots” as a kid. Very impactful! When I found it on dvd I bought it. Another one on the must see list is “Holocaust “. These are good representations of atrocities that should never be repeated. I bought these to help educate my grandkids and open their eyes to some of the horrors that we CAN prevent from ever happening again.

Books are important. (Currently shopping for my 5th bookcase 😊).

It's A Sad Day When The Republican Party Would Rather Ban Books Instead Of Reading Them I Think You Should Read Whatever Book You Want If You Don't Like A Particular Book Than You Don't Have To Read It But Don't Try And Tell Me What I'm Allowed To Read! By The Way I'm A Huge Fan Of Levar Burton!

LeVar Burton looking fantastic and saying such important things. I am a huge Star Trek geek and loving this interview. When TNG started he was by far the most famous person in the cast. 1 My Name is Kunta Kinte 2 reading Rainbow

Levar, dear Levar is a Pied Piper for kids. They will find a way to read what they need. Voting is the solution to ending this madness.

BUTTERFLY IN THE SKY! Love you Mr. Burton.

I just saw that Levar has issues with the earpiece falling out. I've had similar problems my whole life ... one aspect of technology that frustrates me too. LOL!! It's great to see someone fighting the banning of books, history, and stories in general though. Writers feel a call to tell the stories welling up inside their mind, be it an educational, historical, or fantastical one. Please continue to let these people speak. Thank you for your service to education throughout your career so far. Live Long, and Prosper sir!

He aged very nice. Distinguished looking fellow. Reading Rainbow

That list of titles should be published in every centrist and liberal news outlet possible.

Aren't the banned books the ones the kids will want to get ahold of the most? That's typical adolescent psychology.

LeVar is hero!

I think it's ironic that some people who want to ban books believe in a book that itself has been banned over and over through history. i.e. The Bible. God gave man the right of choice so why are some people trying to take that right from others?

One factor are parents that just can't do (teach critical thinking and set age appropriate lines within their household) what parents got to do so they tread on others infringing upon all our rights

OMG!….I’m literally yelling at the screen, “Lavar, did you bring a book?…Please read to me NOW!”…..

I can fly twice as high / Just take a look / It's in a book

Thank you Levar

"In the long run, the sharpest weapon of all is a kind and gentle spirit." ~ Anne Frank

The subject of slavery is not black history it's american history.🙏🏾

He actually DID a Reading Rainbow episode ABOUT Star Trek: The Next Generation. LOL.

Mr Burton, thank you for being an advocate for the children and always encouraging their growth and learning through reading 💕💕

Aww, it's the guy who taught me about books when I was a kid! LeVar needs to get in touch with PBS to bring back Reading Rainbow. Kids need educational TV more than ever to counteract these people!

LeVar Burton is a national treasure.

What happens when the rest of the planet knows ALL of American history and yet Americans are exposed as ignorant?

Book banning has absolutely no place in a free society. I went through this crap as a teenager in the 1970s in the public school system in Anaheim. It's the same garbage all over again; go figure.

Geordi does not wish to be assimilated. edit - Resistance is not futile. 🇺🇲

Ioved reading rainbow. I always found the reading rainbow theme song inspirational and emotionally moving.

I so enjoyed Stephanie's reaction to and celebration of LeVar Burton and her obvious experience of his work.

I re-watched "Root's" just 2 months ago. LeVar Burton is fine human being!

We need to remember that no one on the right side of history banned or burned books

They should keep their opinions to themselves as long as it's not evil or authoritarian it would be okay this is ridiculous babyish😢

I'm from Chicago. In grad school, I developed lifelong friends from first grade. Levar on PBS helped motivate me and my friends for higher learning! I'm an engineer today, another doctor, one that been with Abbott Labs for over 20 years. We grew up in the projects. We've funded scholarships in our former high school.

These list do not include ""say hey Wilie Mays" and Sammy Dsvis Jr. "Yes I Can"

I go out of my way to read banned books. I don't read all of them, some do not pass my 50 page test, but I will try to read any book that is banned. Because it's banned by someone. That's all the reason I need to read it.

Thank you for sharing this nice interview of a very nice gentleman, actor and speaker!!!☺☺☺

Geordi La Forge!

"CAGED BIRD" By Maya Angelou 🐦 🐦‍⬛ "A free bird 🐦 leaps on the back of the wind and floats downstream till the current ends and dips his wing in the orange sunrays and dares to claim the sky. But a bird 🐦‍⬛ that stalks down his narrow cage can seldom see through his bars of rage his wings are clipped and and feet are are tied so he opens his throat to sing. The caged bird 🐦‍⬛ sings with a fearful trill of things unknown but longed for still, and his tune is heard on the distant hill for the caged bird 🐦‍⬛ sings of freedom. The free bird 🐦 thinks of another breeze, and the trade winds soft through the singing trees and the fat worms 🪱 waiting on a dawn bright lawn, and he names the sky his own. But a caged bird 🐦‍⬛ stands on the grave of dreams his shadow shouts a nightmare scream, his wings are clipped, and his feet are tied, so he opens his throat to sing. The caged bird sings with a fearful trill of things unknown but longed for still, and his tune is heard on the distant hill for the caged bird 🐦‍⬛ sings of freedom." ~ Maya Angelou, "Caged Bird" from "Shaker, why don't you sing?"

The man speaks the truth! LeVar Burton for the win!

Can't argue with Geordie

Recommend reading: That Librarian by Amanda Jones. She’s been threatened by crazy zealots for saying libraries are for everyone!

Know him best as Commodore Geordi La Forge you mean

Whatever jordy says we do.

They're literally trying to recreate history

I'm a bibliophile myself and before snow collapsed the roof of my cabin I had over 30,000 books in my library. When I was young my parents would ask what I wanted for Christmas or my birthday my answer was always the same "BOOKS". In the state of California my republican parents voted for "proposition 13" in 1978, which lowered property taxes, causing the libraries to limit their hours. In the city of Fremont, CA where we lived, there were kiosk's in the public parks staffed by volunteers, which loaned out balls and other playground essentials. All a child needed was a library card and the "ADULT" volunteers knew who was in the park, as a result of "prop. 13" those kiosk's were closed. And so began the problem of the "unattended minor". My parent's were members of the "unattended minor party" But I prefer the "NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND PARTY" Have you ever read the 1818 book by Mary Shelley, in it she writes the story of Dr Frankenstein, who created a "creature" who suffered from LONELINESS. Shall we cause are children to suffer from that same affliction? Who is the "monster"?

LeVar Burton for President!

Protect the kids.

The Denver post recently did a story, See: Denver post 2023/10 Colorado libraries face increasing requests to ban books Interestingly; about the same time; windsor colorado along with the library were and are contriving to sell library/community interests in favor of corporate interests. See: Clearview Library District delays vote on selling vacant land to Windsor for grocery store ------- Brilliant: No need to worry about banning individual books; simply remove/sell the library! And of course book stores. When this 'sale'/gift goes through windsor will have set the example for others of like mind to follow.

Basically getting taughts reading by lavar, 2nd grade by Ms. Frizz, and starship dynamics by Lt Geordy ☝️

It’s truly a shame that ignorant & bigoted people can get books banned. They don’t even have to have children. Most haven’t even read the books. They just don’t want certain subjects being read.

How many books has Newsom banned in California?

I think people just dont want graphic books to be taught to kids. Some of the things rrad aloud at schoolboard meetings have been pretty vile

"You don't have the right to impose your beliefs about your kids on everybody else's children."

Have you ever read the 1953 novel by Ray Bradbury "Fahrenheit 451" or seen either of the 2 film adaptations from 1966 or 2018. I also recommend the 1978 novel by Penelope Fitzgerald "The Bookshop" in which the book "Fahrenheit 451" stands out predominantly (though subtly) and the 2017 film by the same title. Spoiler alert: The final scene of the movie depicts a real visual of "Fahrenheit 451", as a child is holding a book in her arms. Pay close attention to the background.... I bursted into TEARS. [ BTW: bursted is an incorrect conjugation, but who cares, it sounds right] The 29th episode of season 2: "The Twilight Zone" - "The Obsolete Man", written by Rod Serling and first aired June 2nd, 1961, is also a must watch, about a "librarian" played by Burgess Meredith who is sentenced to death. In Rod Serling's opening narration he says: "...like every one of the super-states that preceded it, it has one iron rule: logic is an enemy and truth is a menace." "GET THEE TO A LIBRARY" "KNOWLEDGE IS POWER"

Except they want to ban books just because you don't like the books you can't like everything as long as they're not evil or satanism or authoritarian not everyone will like it's like songs everybody wants the DJ to play their song but not everyone's going to like that song it's sad they want to ban books😢😢

What books are being banned? Name a title.

Cinderella is banned but Paul Bunyan isn't? Or Davey Crockett? How about Lewis and Clark? We banning that one too? Cuz I'm offended by all of them books.

I wish I was Lance Riddick.

Lists of garbage books push for at schools and librarys. Junk leaves out alot of known history.

I love him too!

I am a voracious reader, and just the act of reading has improved the quality of my life much more than anything I learned in college. This year, I have exclusively read books that have been banned and critically reviewed by lunatics. Reading is the window to the world, but it is also relative to the student. Everyone has the propensity to digest information through the lens we view the world. In other words, everyone is biased and will remain who we are, regardless of academic credentials, race, age, gender or financial status.

I love Levar, being a trekkie❤ This is Nazism, it's disgusting

In short, his name is TOBY!

Land of the Free???

💖

👏👏👏👏

Butterfly in the sky

❤️📚🌈 !

All kids struggle with puberty it's natural whether they admit it to you or not and I find it to be very insipid that you're going to use the excuse about being 12 or 13 years old we have more younger teenagers especially preteens getting pregnant

If you are a republican do not talk to me about free speech unless you also denounce all of these book bans. Levar said it so well. You have the right to monitor your childrens media consumption. You do not have the right to impose that on others. IF you don't like a book, don't read it. Do not tell others they are not allowed to read it. Any of you crying about not being able to use a racial slur (which you can by the way, but you won't because of the social consequences) and yet not standing up to book bans are hypocrites and should be ashamed of yourselves, but we also know that the majority of you don't know what shame means, and aren't looking for law. You are looking to impose your beliefs on everyone and do not care about hypocrisy.

So does this include Jordan Peterson's 12 Rules for Life or is it purely ideological? Also guessing they aren't including eg Mein Kampf

Ridiculous. There are a lot better things that need to be done. DeSantis is dangerous and has created a dangerous pathway. This is a fascist action. Taking peoples rughts away to read, write, or learn is not ok.

Funny that is how the Bible was taken out of schools!!!!

Some things are not appropriate for children.

Lavar “I’m gonna throw hands at your Mom” Burton. 🤣

Don't they have Barnes & noble in Florida ?

All the best books get banned. Nobody ever banned the Bible.

I remember when I used to watch this channel the decade ago and believe all the propaganda.😂 Levar ain’t chit after threatening women

We know him ss toby a part of a fake families journey

There is a big difference between banning a book , and allowing age appropriate material... Call it what it is...

Interesting how some of the same people outraged by book banning advocate for censoring online speech.

getting your book ban is the new way of promoting it , it's a way of playing the Victim Card / Politic's

Please listen to me. I NEED this check or I will be HOMELESS. L. Burton, unemployed actor.

I say give up on the books. They're only paper. The current inquisition has no basis in knowledge. I want to say banning books is unconstitutional per freedom of speech, but I think we take that freedom outside of what is actually written. It says we can address our grievances with the government without prosecution. It doesn't say we can say whatever we want whenever we want to whomever we want. I think the book banning should be covered by the 14th amendment section 1 as the government isn't allowed to unnecessarily make our lives jacked up. And considering the nature of the topics certain people want banned, that should be covered under the Civil Rights Act of 1871 and everybody deserves compensation for the public harassment. I'm with Stephanie in excitement of having such a person on. And yes I know the words to Reading Rainbow. And no I'm not fully crying. They did a video on a book called My Cat Has Eyes of Sapphire Blue that I never forgot the title of. But that's not why I'm here. Stephanie mentioned Roots and I respect that but... The extremists we're dealing with are like the Pakleds. They want advancement but they don't want to put in the work. "We are not smart" And they have taken the country hostage in their pursuit of self. That's why I say let the books go. That one book right there in front of them that they have not read is not the only copy in the world. And I'm writing this with my finger on a tablet that was just a wish in 1989. We need to advance as a species and the only way to do that is to advance others. The kids should all have ebooks given to them as part of their education. But I also think all kids should have free lunch and two snacks and naptimes and outside play that is not gym class and school should go to age 20 with no drop out. Kidnapping Geordi didn't make the ship go because Geordi knew how to break it just as good as he knew how to fix it. People are worried about libraries and we got KZfaq university. The fight isn't in the words on the page, it's the knowledge in the minds. "Knowledge is power."

ok then