The murder of George Floyd on May 25, 2020, shook the entire world. What happened in Minneapolis that day sparked an outcry. The incident united people all over the world to fight for justice. For former Eagles LB Emmanuel Acho, too, it was a moment that hit home, pushing him to act.
Fueled by the need for difficult, open conversations and encouraged by Rachel Lindsay, Acho created a digital series called Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man. The series evolved into a book later that year in November. Now, after five years, Emmanuel Acho found himself blindsided when his #1 New York Times bestseller was abruptly taken off the shelves.
On April 5, Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man was removed from the U.S. Naval Academy’s Nimitz Library. The move came following an order by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth banning DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) content in federal agencies. Following the ban, Acho posted an IG video discussing the issue. “If I may be vulnerable with y’all, this is heartbreaking. Not because it’s my book, but because I became an author based on books I read as a kid,” the 34-year-old captioned the video. A week later, the former Philly LB is back, sharing his thoughts on the ban.
On Monday, the former LB shared a response in an IG video. “Banning a book doesn’t erase the pain. It doesn’t erase the injustice… It just proves how uncomfortable the truth really is. And maybe that’s the point.” Emmanuel asks a question that thousands have been asking. The former NFLer questions what this ban says about the system. Not only that. Acho also puts it bluntly that while the system may remove the book from the shelves, it cannot stop the conversation.
“To everyone who’s bought the book in response to this, I want to say thank you. Because you’re not just reading, you’re resisting. You’re not just supporting me, but more importantly, you’re supporting truth, justice, and the power of a conversation,” said Acho.
Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man isn’t the only book to face the heat of the new system. Under President Donald Trump’s executive order, the Nimitz Library has removed 381 books.
Censorship vs. Freedom: The growing debate over book bans
The system’s decision to ban books that address sensitive issues reflects a broader debate. The debate is about censorship, free speech, and control over what people can access. And like Acho put it, “You can even silence the page, but there’s no way you can silence the people.” Along with Acho’s book, they also pulled other books like I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou, White Rage by Carol Anderson, How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi, and Bodies in Doubt by Elizabeth Reis from public access.
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The New York Times reported that Adolf Hitler’s creed Mein Kampf remains on the shelf, as does The Bell Curve. Some 400 books were removed from the Maryland Library.
Maryland Democratic Party Executive Director Karen Darkes said in a statement, “The removal of these texts is a disgraceful attempt to silence voices that have shaped America’s identity. And its ongoing fight for justice, equality, and freedom.” Acho echoed a similar sentiment.
Emmanuel Acho, in his video, also questioned the decision-makers, saying, “If we want a better future, we have to start with honest conversations, not censorship. So the question is, decision-makers, what are you so afraid of?” The former Eagles LB urged the next generation to stay curious, compassionate, and confident.
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