Raleigh, N.C.—A Black-owned children’s bookstore here, Liberation Station, was forced to close. A series of threats forced its closure less than a year after it opened on Juneteenth 2023, as reported by Daily Kos. The cozy store, in addition to selling children’s books written and illustrated by Black and underrepresented authors and illustrators, also holds events, meetings, etc.
THREATS FORCE CLOSURE
Victoria Scott-Miller, the owner of the store, said, “Unfortunately, we live in a country that has given permission to the nameless and faceless people to make threats and cause harm, emotional harm.”
On the first of April, Scott-Miller announced that the bookstore will close at the end of the month because, as she said: “Since September, we’ve faced numerous threats following the opening of our store. Some we brushed off, while others included a disturbing phone call detailing what our son Langston wore when he was at the shop alone.”
On March 31, Liberation Station posted this message on their Facebook page: “Family, We extend our deepest gratitude to every one of you for your steadfast support over the past six years. Without the unwavering backing of our beloved community, our journey would not have been possible. Your support has been the bedrock of our existence and will continue as we transition to the exploration of a new activation location in Southeast Raleigh.”
On the bookstore’s website photos show children and their fathers, mothers, grandmothers and grandfathers enjoying the books and the camaraderie. The pictures tell the truth: children will love books if given an opportunity. I will never forget a two-year-old boy who could barely talk but could say “dog.” He brought a book from the Little Library about dogs to show the pictures to the two dogs on the other side of the fence!
Access to books has become more difficult, at a time when school and public libraries have been defunded. Too many school systems limit teachers’ professional judgment about what books to add to their classrooms. In states like Florida, teachers may be prohibited from providing anything but official textbooks. All grassroots efforts to bring books to readers need our support.
–Avid Reader