Unban Coolies

Hi, I’m Christopher! Welcome to Unban Coolies, where we advocate for diversity in books across public schools and libraries. With the growing rise in book bans and censorship, our mission is more critical than ever.

My passion for this cause stems from one of my favorite childhood books, COOLIES a story that deeply resonated with me. When I found out COOLIES had been banned, it felt personal—it erased the representation I saw of myself, my parents, and my grandparents. As I explored further, I discovered that many widely recognized classics had also been banned, including THE DIARY OF A YOUNG GIRL, DRAGONWINGS, BELOVED, THE CATCHER IN THE RYE, TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE, ANIMAL FARM, THE BLUEST EYE, and  LORD OF THE FLIES.

At Unban Coolies, we approach this issue from a non-partisan standpoint, encouraging open dialogue and welcoming diverse viewpoints. In a nation that values freedom of thought, we invite respectful discussions across our social media platforms. Our goal is to promote solutions that ensure everyone has the opportunity to access a wide range of literature.

The main feature of my advocacy work is conducting interviews with a diverse range of guests including award-winning authors, illustrators, editors, literary advocates, and rock-star librarians to everyday citizens. We explore their perspective on book bans, and their inspiration and dig into their work and fun facts. The aim is to showcase people of diverse backgrounds and viewpoints.

As a library bonus, these author interviews can enrich the classroom by providing students with valuable insights into the author’s creative process, themes, and intentions, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of the literature being studied. Prepare to be inspired by selecting any of the videos below: