To: The Louisiana State Senate and Governor John Bel Edwards
Let's make the Louisiana State Book "A Confederacy of Dunces"
In opposition to the idea of the Bible (or any particular religious holy book) becoming the official state book of Louisiana, I propose we adopt a true Louisiana-based classic novel, John Kennedy Toole's A Confederacy of Dunces (1980), as our state book. Any religious book will only serve to further divide the citizens of the state, but this truly incredible novel is a cornerstone of Louisiana heritage, a masterful accomplishment of creativity and wit, which would better represent the unique culture of our amazing state.
Why is this important?
John Kennedy Toole was a tragic figure of Louisiana culture, and his satirical novel is a testament to the pride and awe he had for his home state. Religion, while a major component of many peoples' lives in Louisiana, has become a divisive issue, with a particularly negative effect on people who are not associated with the majority religious practices of our state. We feel it is best to keep religion out of things like this, such as the idea of an official state book that represents the various individuals who make up the citizenry of Louisiana. Choosing a relatively modern literary masterpiece, not only widely praised by critics around the world, but with it's core roots firmly embedded in Louisiana, seems like a more fair and democratic choice.