Better Wyoming Narrative Guides:
BOOK BANNING
GOOD NARRATIVE: THE BASICS
Here’s a basic truth when it comes to creating change: IT DOESN’T MATTER IF YOU’RE RIGHT.
You might have all the facts and figures in the world, and the moral high ground, but those don’t get people to act. What matters is whether you’re able to persuade someone, using language, values, and messages that resonate with them.
If our movement wants to win state-level policies that improve life for the people of Wyoming, we’re going to need to get on the same page in the way we talk about it.
TOP TIP! Good narrative is built on these values, which Wyomingites tend to share:
Freedom, Community, Honesty, Hardwork, and Pride in the Land.
Some DOs and DON'Ts...
DON’T repeat the opposition’s messaging. This just amplifies their points.
DO “pre-bunk” opposition messaging: know your opposition's messaging, and neutralize it in advance if you can.
DON’T fixate on crisis messaging or depressing stories. This de-motivates people.
DO tie serious problems to collective, constructive policy solutions.
DON’T just tell stories. Research shows that this makes it harder for your audience to understand the importance of collective solutions, and instead makes them believe that problems are for individuals to solve.
DO use stories to illustrate collective or policy solutions.
DON’T depend on facts and figures. By themselves, these do not help. Moreover, they can easily be misinterpreted.
DO tie facts and figures to shared values, narrative, and solutions. Try to interpret the facts and figures for your audience first, before actually presenting those facts and figures.
DON’T use jargon.
DO use strong, clear, direct communication.
Each section below introduces a top tip for speaking or writing persuasively on the topic of BOOK BANNING and LIBRARY CENSORSHIP in Wyoming. Each tip is then expanded upon, and examples are provided. These tips and examples are based on research from the Bighorn Company of Colorado, supplied by the Wyoming Civic Engagement Network.
Narrative SUBJECT GUIDE: Book Bans and Censorship
Tip # 1: Good EXPLANATION helps you get ahead...
The opposition has built a strong narrative around banning books. Fortunately, clear, concise explanation helps neutralize that narrative, and paves the way for our own:
Extremists in the legislature are trying to ban books that don’t align with their own anti-freedom values. Worse, when these extremists don’t like certain books, they want to punish our librarians and educators for it. This obvious censorship is designed to erode local control and parents’ rights. By weakening our communities like this, these scare tactics allow outsider extremist groups (like the Freedom Caucus, Moms for Liberty, etc.) to grow their own power and control over our communities.
When you're explaining the situation, remember: do not repeat the opposition’s framing of this issue!
- Avoid words like “obscene” or “obscenity”, which is what the opposition wants these books to be seen as.
- Call this what it is: censorship and selective book banning.
- Call out that this censorship targets specific groups of people, but be careful...
- “Vulnerability narratives” (about LGBTQ+ people etc.) do more harm than good. If you point out that this censorship targets these groups, try to avoid framing these communities as vulnerable or victimized.
- Specifically mentioning puberty, sexual health, etc. may backfire, too. These words can evoke strong negative or protective reactions.
- Talking about children can evoke a powerful protective instinct that might work against you; instead, mention families and family freedom.
Tip # 2: Build upon SHARED VALUES...
The opposition has worked hard to claim the “values” narrative on this issue. This is why it’s so important for us to re-claim this territory on our own terms. Remember to do so without repeating opposition framing.
Shared Value: FREEDOM
Our hardworking community librarians are committed to providing the best, most appropriate resources for Wyoming families.
Wyomingites work hard to raise their families and build communities; they don’t need out-of-state extremists telling them how to do so.
Shared Value: HONESTY
[Opposition group] has dishonestly manufactured a need to “protect” Wyoming library users, when in reality they are just restricting freedoms to increase their own power.
Shared Value: COMMUNITY
Better access to healthcare makes for stronger families and communities we can take pride in.
Wyoming communities want to be more self-sufficient. Improving healthcare access helps make this happen.
Better healthcare is an investment in our families, and in our kids’ future families. It means we can ensure that younger generations can stay in our communities.
Communities where people can’t access healthcare are communities without opportunities.
Tip # 3: Map your narrative onto the WYOMING MINDSET...
Research has shown us the thoughts and feelings that Wyomingites tend to share around these issues. We all share similar concerns, and knowing this can be useful for crafting your argument.
Acknowledging Pain Points
- Banning books and punishing librarians just weakens an education system that Wyomingites are already deeply concerned about.
- Extreme partisanship like this blocks what’s really best for Wyoming.
Pursuing Aspirations
- Wyomingites take pride in a strong education system that isn’t always under attack.
- We want to live free from government overreach, which is exactly what this censorship is. We value individual and personal responsibility.
- Wyoming wants to see honest politicians [see “Honesty”, above].
Tip # 4: Use Better Wyoming's communications team!
Want an extra pair of eyes on what you've written? Email your piece to info@betterwyo.org, and we'll make sure it gets forwarded to the right person.