Do you have plans for Banned Books Week?
https://www.aclu.org/issues/free-speech/infographic-banned-books-week
It occurred to me recently that all of the folks in my writing/reading circle are in agreement on the issue of book challenges or bans, regardless of their political affiliation (as far as I know, anyway). Challenging or banning a book based on an uncomfortable history, inconvenient fact, racial difference, religious belief, or sexual and gender realities is censorship and has no place in our society. We know it, we are vocal about it, and we do what we can to make all books available to everyone who wants to read them.
Have you seen this?
https://www.ala.org/bbooks/book-ban-data
I’m super busy, involved in so many things I have little time to move any of them to completion, but I recently felt compelled to find a way to do more to get these books in the hands of those who don’t have access. I’ve read books I didn’t like; I’ve even read books I found grossly offensive. But I have always taken away something from every book I’ve ever read, even if it was “just” learning something new about myself. Books teach us things, help us discover worlds different from our own, and enable us to grow a bit (or sometimes a whole lot). So, I got to thinking-what can I do?
I love all of the things the Boston Public Library is doing with the Books Unbanned program. If you haven’t heard, take a look:
One thing I will be doing is getting reacquainted with my local library (I have a card, but I’m embarrassed to say I haven’t been there in ages) to see what programs they have available. But more than that, I’ve decided to pull the list of books currently banned or challenged in my state (Kentucky) and elsewhere, obtain copies, and leave them in many of the Little Free Libraries in my area. It’s a small thing, but lots of folks doing even one small thing can really add up.
Several websites offer lists of banned and/or challenged books by state. Although books are added to these lists constantly (and they are NOT complete by any means), here are two sites where you can get started, if you think you might want to join me in spreading the word (so to speak):
https://pen.org/book-bans/2023-banned-book-list/
Dig a little deeper, though, for the actual numbers. When I was looking for lists for Kentucky, I discovered that one district had completely banned 100 books (whereas the above list has just 3). That list was compiled by a Kentucky investigative reporter, and I had to dig for it.
So what are you doing to fight censorship? I’d love to hear!
The Grey Zone 