Christine Merser, We the People Dispatch
All of the books in the image above are banned in our country.
Huddle up. Put your feet up and ask yourself, if you had to hide your books, your beloved books like “To Kill a Mockingbird,” or a Harry Potter book perhaps, because your neighbor might report it to the Florida book police, how would you feel? I have bought numerous copies of books I am fond of just in case.
In the last few years, America has seen a significant increase in book bans across various states, driven by a mix of political, social, and cultural concerns. This trend has been notably marked by a growing number of states enacting "wholesale bans," where entire libraries or classrooms have had books removed or access restricted, often due to pressure from community groups, new state legislation, or in some cases, one parent’s demands.
Historical Context
Book banning in America has a long and contentious history, reflecting broader societal conflicts over values, education, and free speech. Over the past 50 years, several notable cases have highlighted the fluctuating nature of what is deemed acceptable literature.
1970s-1980s: During this period, classics such as "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, and "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger faced bans. "To Kill a Mockingbird" was frequently challenged for its use of racial slurs and depiction of racial injustice. "The Catcher in the Rye" was banned for its profanity, themes of rebellion, and perceived negative influence on young readers.
1990s-2000s: This recent era saw challenges to books like the "Harry Potter"*series by J.K. Rowling, accused of promoting witchcraft and the occult, and "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou, challenged for its depiction of sexual abuse and racism. The American Library Association (ALA) reported a significant number of challenges aimed at books addressing LGBTQ+ themes, sexual content, and strong language.
Modern Era of Book Banning
Here is the difference between then and now. In the last several years, book banning has seen a notable increase, with new dynamics influencing which books are targeted and how bans are implemented. One of the key differences today is the process and the ease with which books can be challenged and removed from school libraries and curricula.
Increased Political and Social Tensions: Recent bans often stem from heightened political and social tensions. Books dealing with race, gender identity, and sexual orientation are frequent targets. For instance, "Gender Queer: A Memoir" by Maia Kobabe and "The Hate U Give" by Angie Thomas have been banned in multiple states for addressing LGBTQ+ themes and racial injustice, respectively.
Ease of Challenging Books: Unlike in the past, where book challenges often required extensive review processes involving multiple stakeholders, today's environment sometimes allows individuals to have books removed with minimal oversight. In some cases, a single complaint can result in a book being temporarily or permanently removed from school libraries. This bypasses traditional review processes that typically involve educators, administrators, and community members.
For example, in Florida, recent legislation has made it easier for individual parents and community members to challenge and remove books they find objectionable. This law has led to numerous book removals without the need for extensive review or consensus, highlighting a shift towards quicker, less bureaucratic means of censorship.
The following table lists the top 10 banned books in America currently and the states where these bans are most prevalent:
Book Title States Where Banned
"Gender Queer: A Memoir" by Maia Kobabe FL, MI, OK, TN, TX,
"All Boys Aren't Blue" by George M. Johnson FL, MS, PA, TX, WI
"The Bluest Eye" by Toni Morrison FL, KS, MS, TN, TX
"The Hate U Give" by Angie Thomas FL, IN, NC, TX, UT
"This Book is Gay" by Juno Dawson FL, GA, NY, TX, VA,
"Out of Darkness" by Ashley Hope Pérez FL, ID, WI, TX, WI
"The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian" by Sherman Alexie
FL, KS, MI, TN, TX
"Melissa" (formerly "George") by Alex Gino FL, GA, MS, OK, TX
"Beyond Magenta" by Susan Kuklin FL, ID, MO, PA, TX
"The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood FL, MI, OK, TN, TX
Interesting, Florida, which has led the charge in legislation to greatly limit what is taught in classrooms, has banned every single book on the list. In the last year, they have banned and removed more than 300 books from libraries and schools. New York a surprise to you? Me too.
My friend Meg and I were traveling through the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia last fall. She was a teacher of literature in a boarding school in the northeast before she retired a few years ago.
“I keep thinking I want to buy books on the banned list and put them in those little cubby shelves along roadways.”
“I love that idea! I’m in. But also, maybe we should buy the books in question and send to younger people, even small humans we know to start their libraries now, while they still can.”
Action:
Buy the banned books, and send them to people living in places where they can no longer buy them. Send them to small humans for their future reading.
Go on Amazon and other sites and put reviews up for books like “To Kill A Mockingbird.” Imagine if TKAM had 1 million reviews added in the coming year. That would be news I’d love to see.
Post reviews of books on these lists. Or just list three on your social media. #BooksBehindBars
Christine Merser, We the People Dispatch
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References
The Complete List of Banned & Challenged Books by State | Rachel Kohl Community Library
Knowledge faces relentless threats across the globe and has for millennia. "Only write about what I approve" has been a staple of governance throughout human history. You are correct that in today's America it has become all to easy to label something subversive or dangerous or too delicate.