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Dear Observer Reader,  This holiday season all across Texas, administrators are removing books from school libraries. It all started when a politician running for higher office circulated a list of more than 800 books to be called into question. Now public libraries are doing it, too—closing doors and shutting down in order to review and re-approve library books. Censorship, in this day and age, rears its ugly head in Texas. Again. It's always been here. And that's why the Texas Observer is so important. And what we hope you will remember while you make your choices for year end giving. The Texas Observer has been covering Texas—freely and fairly—since 1954. We know that no civil rights win ever stays won in our state. We've seen censorship before. We've seen gerrymandering before. We've seen rollbacks and assaults on bodily autonomy and free speech many times before, and reckless deregulation of utilities and firearms many times before. We've seen what all that leads to. And we wrote about it—freely and fairly. The Texas Observer has observed it all. This gives the Texas Observer perspective. It's a perspective you can't find anywhere else, and our perspective connects with—or challenges—yours. That's what freedom is all about. Well, it looks like the Texas Observer is going to have a lot to write about in 2022. We should all resolve to read more and observe different voices and visions in the new year—that's really the best response to censorship, after all. So if you are able, please become a member today for just $3.49 per month to receive a year of the print magazine, and fund the Texas Observer now and into the new year.  Please click here to join. The Rapoport Family has generously agreed to match the annual membership total for new members, up to $20,000, for those who join before the end of the year. Can you join today to support free and fair journalism? With our grateful thanks, we wish you the best possible new year ahead. Let's keep reading together. Sincerely yours, Laura Hernandez Holmes, Board Chair Texas Democracy Foundation P.S. With the continuing challenges brought on by the pandemic, many Texas Observer supporters are not in a position to contribute money at this time. If you are doing okay now, would you consider joining at a higher amount to make up for those who aren't able to give at this time? Join Now Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list. Copyright © 2021 Texas Observer, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: P.O. Box #6421 Austin, TX 78762