Preserving Freedom to Read beyond Banned Books Week

In the United States, the fight for the right to choose books freely remains an ongoing struggle. While the American Library Association annually celebrates Banned Books Week from October 1st to 7th as a symbol of this fight, the need to protect our freedom to read extends far beyond those seven days. Banned Books Week emerged in 1982, borne out of a growing concern for the increasing challenges faced by books in libraries, bookstores, and schools across the nation. The central message: to safeguard the right to access books without censorship.

The First Amendment of the United States Constitution protects citizens from government-imposed book bans, but this safeguard doesn't cover the many challenges books face each year. Countless titles find themselves under scrutiny, often leading to courtroom battles aimed at preventing their inclusion in schools or libraries. In recent years, these challenges have been on the rise, a concerning trend exemplified by Pen America, a nonprofit that recorded a staggering 3,362 instances of book bans in public school classrooms and libraries between July 2022 and June 2023. Shockingly, 63% of these bans, totaling 2,114 books, were concentrated in just eight states—Florida, Missouri, Utah, Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, Oklahoma, and West Virginia—where state laws either prohibited these books or created local pressures for their removal in the 2022-2023 school year.

Some of the targeted titles include "The Bluest Eye" by Toni Morrison, cited for its depiction of sexual abuse and alleged explicit content, and "Out of Darkness" by Ashley Hope Perez, accused of being sexually explicit. Additionally, "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian" by Sherman Alexie faced challenges due to claims of sexual explicitness and profanity.

In response to these challenges, Maryland Governor Wes Moore (D) has voiced concern, referring to the recent wave of book bans as "castrating" children. Nevertheless, divisions persist even within the state, with Wicomico County Public Schools banning "All Boys Aren't Blue" by George M. Johnson.

Pen America has identified several conservative groups with chapters in Maryland, directly linked to 20% of book bans or challenges in the past school year. In Carroll County, the superintendent of Public Schools temporarily removed 56 school library books, requested by a group of parents opposing their content, for review. Simultaneously, school librarians were instructed to follow a time-consuming content checklist before adding books to school libraries. This nationwide trend has now firmly taken root in Maryland, creating a divide between librarians and parents who support the removal of certain books.

According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, organizations advocating for book bans often oppose LGBTQ+ and racially inclusive school curricula. This raises concerns among parents who oppose book banning and are apprehensive about a small group of individuals determining what children can be exposed to. Encouragingly, the American Library Association's polling reveals that 71% of Americans oppose the removal of books from public libraries, and 67% oppose the removal of books from school libraries.

So, what can individuals do to protect the freedom to read? Deborah Caldwell-Stone, director of the Office for Intellectual Freedom for the American Library Association, suggests that when individuals join the chorus against censorship, efforts to remove books tend to falter. She also advises writing emails to library boards or sending letters with supporters to be read at meetings, offering busy individuals an avenue to make their voices heard.

In conclusion, while Banned Books Week serves as an annual reminder of the importance of preserving the right to read freely, the battle against censorship should persist year-round. Advocates must unite, speak out, and take action to ensure that every week becomes a celebration of the freedom to read without censorship.

More News from Takoma Park

• Passion, Betrayal, and Boldness: Don’t Miss Virginia Opera’s Carmen! Experience the fierce allure of Bizet's Carmen live at George Mason University on Nov 16—opera’s most captivating drama awaits!
• What to do in the DC Area - Tuesday, Nov 12 - Thursday, Nov 14 Catch live jazz, theater, and legendary artists in DC this week—from Miki Yamanaka to Morrissey and Drunk Shakespeare to Kenny G!