It will come as absolutely no surprise that reading is a big part of my life. The stories I read and the messages they hold have taught me countless lessons that I carry with me in my everyday life. Recently, a professor in one of my English classes had us consider and research a topic related to literature, and I decided on book bans. I wish I had learned this much sooner, so here is why everyone should be paying attention to this important issue.
What Are Book Bans?
“Book bans” are a form of literary censorship. Much like some TV shows or movies are banned in schools, some local and state governments are doing the same with books. This can be for a variety of reasons, but includes everything from classics like Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, to more contemporary novels like The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas. Even some Harry Potter books have been banned in recent years for reasons relating to “witchcraft.” Common themes in banned books include race, social justice issues, and LGBTQ+ characters and content. Book bans are not a new concept, but have become significantly more prevalent over the past decade.
Books are being banned at an alarming rate.
According to the American Library Association, a nonprofit that promotes libraries and library education, there were a record 1,269 attempts to ban or challenge books in 2022. This varies state by state, but states like Florida and Texas often report some of the highest numbers. Between July 2021 and June 2022, bans were reported in 138 school districts in 32 states. These districts contain 5,049 schools and a combined nearly 4 million students. My apologies for the concentration of numbers in this paragraph, but I wanted to reiterate how many students are impacted by this problem.
Why it matters.
Books have been a form of communication for thousands of years. At their core, book bans are a way of preventing these stories from reaching more audiences out of fear. Fear of what, you may ask? Fear of change. Stories like The Hate U Give, depict young people fighting for what they believe in. To Kill a Mockingbird is a simple introduction for young high school students to the concept of a moral compass and social justice. Kids only know that things can change if they see it everywhere; in the books they read, shows they watch, and the people they interact with. By removing one of these key pillars, students will be losing some of those examples.
What can You Do?
The best thing to do to keep these stories alive is to continue reading them. This can be through visiting your local library, heading to a nearby bookstore, or borrowing from a friend. If you live in a state where books are being challenged, you can also reach out to your state representative and state senator to tell them that you oppose this censorship of literature. Finally, supporting local libraries is a great way to promote equitable reading for everyone in your community.
Banned Books Week is an annual awareness campaign by the American Library Association and this year, it is from October 1 through October 7, 2023. You’ll probably see shelves in your local library dedicated to these stories, so consider picking one up to keep them read and relevant.
The books we read and the lessons they hold are incredibly valuable, and I would hate for a new generation of students to miss out on these. Join me in continuing to read and promote these stories, and keep your local library alive and well in the process.