Across the world since seemingly the beginning of literature, people have banned books for a myriad of reasons. Some of the most recent and frequently used reasons include but are not limited to the following:
- Religious Viewpoint.
- Sexual situations or dialogue.
- Offensive language.
- LGBTQIA+ content.
- References to Critical Race Theory or social justice.
It has come to this reporter’s attention, as well as the attention of many others, that these reasons seem to be covers for underlying prejudices. In my opinion, “Critical Race Theory” is, most often, just the story of a person of color trying to find their way in a society that may be systemically set up against them. “LGBTQIA+ content” is, well, just that, and for some reason, some believe it warrants a ban. “Offensive Language”, may be language that the old, white, men on the school board committee and groups of parents don’t like, and for one reason or another, that warrants a ban.
Sentence after sentence in these books is misconstrued and challenged. Many libraries are stripped of content and literature with substance, reduced to what has always been the norm and what makes the majority comfortable. But does it make the majority comfortable? To know that instead of focusing on supporting access to literature and literacy nationwide, at times people on school board committees and groups of parents are more concerned with “not exposing kids to inappropriate content” when in actuality this “inappropriate content” is nothing more than an opportunity for people of all age groups to broaden their understanding of how the world works and the complexities of the people around them. I, and many other people, believe it may be time to call into question the ulterior motives of the people we place in charge of moderating our access to education, literature, or otherwise.
According to the Ithaca College Library and the American Library Association, the list of books that have been banned is staggering, all of them having a common theme. A small list of books from this source that have been challenged are:
- Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe – Challenged for claims of being sexually explicit and having LGBTQIA+ content. Number of Challenges: 106.
- All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson – Challenged for LGBTQIA+ content, and claims of being sexually explicit. Number of Challenges: 82.
- This Book Is Gay by Juno Dawson – Challenged for sex education, claims of being sexually explicit, and LGBTQIA+ content. Number of Challenges: 71.
- The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky – Challenged for LGBTQIA+ content, drugs, rape, claims of being sexually explicit, and profanity. Number of Challenges: 68.
Images and statistics gathered by the American Library Association. - Flamer by Mike Curato – Challenged for claims of being sexually explicit and LGBTQIA+ content. Number of Challenges: 67.
- The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison – Challenged for EDI Content (Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion), claims of being sexually explicit, rape, and incest. Number of Challenges: 62.
- Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews – Challenged for profanity and claims of being sexually explicit. Number of Challenges: 56.
- Tricks by Ellen Hopkins – Challenged for LGBTQIA+ content, claims of being sexually explicit, drugs, and rape. Number of Challenges: 56.
- Sold by Patricia McCormick – Challenged for rape and claims of being sexually explicit. Number of Challenges: 53.
- 1984 by George Orwell – Challenged for pro-communist notions and dystopian themes. The amount of challenges for this book are innumerable, considering it is the #1 banned book of all time.
- Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White – Challenged for themes surrounding death and talking animals. A select amount of schools have banned this book.
In the prior paragraph, I mentioned that there was “a common theme” for all of the books. What is that theme? The theme being that a lot of these books are banned for LGBTQIA+ topics, references to Critical Race Theory, and other social justice issues. In 2022, statistics put together by the Ithaca College Library, shown above in a picture, state that of the 1,269 challenges, 82% were textbooks, books, or graphic novels. 6% were exhibits and displays. 4% were meeting rooms and programs, 7% were things such as student publications and articles (like the one you’re reading right now) and 1% were films.
One of the most common themes is “LGBTQIA+ content.” If you look at each of the claims listed above as to why the book may have been challenged, you notice something. Wherever “LGBTQIA+ content” is mentioned, it goes hand in hand with claims of being “sexually explicit.” This is because, oftentimes, when people look at things pertaining to LGBTQIA+ content, they have a preconceived notion that said content is inherently graphic, and therefore “inappropriate” regardless of whether the book itself has any of the qualities that would make it “unsuitable.”
There is also a common theme of what may be referred to as DEI, or Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, also listed above. What is most common in these books? The discussion and representation surrounding societal and systemic discrimination, oppression, and bias against people of color. One of the most renowned books that is renowned not only for its content, but its amount of challenges, 30 challenges so far, is called “The Hate U Give” a realistic fiction work by Angie Thomas. The book takes a deeper look at societal inequities regarding police brutality, white supremacy, and racial biases. According to CBC.com, it has been challenged in over 14 states for its “depictions of racism and anti-police views.” Furthermore, according to SparkNotes.com, the book reflects upon the usage of stereotypes against black people and how that contributes to the violence perpetrated against them, and how that protects white supremacy. It seems as though the book calls to light issues surrounding how people of color are treated and the communities in which this book is banned or challenged don’t want to acknowledge said issues.
Another example of a book that was banned because it addressed “difficult” parts of American history is the book “They Called Us Enemy” by George Takei, Justin Eisinger, and Steven R. Scott. It depicts the story of a young boy in a Japanese internment camp following the events of the Pearl Harbor bombings on December 7’th 1941. The book was challenged as part of a campaign against teaching about the racial history of America.
A belief system should be built on a basis of critical thinking skills; a belief system should not crumble at the simple application of said critical thinking skills. In fact, there are evidently no critical thinking skills present in much of social taboos that instill so much prejudice and fear into the minds and hearts of our children and teenagers, the same youth that we hope will be the ones to change said traditions. You cannot change the world without first starting with individual communities. These same people who claim they want the younger generation to change the world are oftentimes the same ones who, when actually presented with said change, get upset and call it “wrong.” Some of said people will even reminisce back to what they consider to be a “better” time, when what is currently being called into question was socially acceptable. However, prejudice traditions that hurt everyone will persist if we do not provide our children, teenagers, and peers with the opportunity to look outside their own experience.
In order to get first-hand knowledge of the detrimental effects of book banning, you have to ask the people who witness the most of it and/or the people who are directly affected by it. Jenna Morin, the Oakmont Librarian, said this on the topic:
“I think students having access to a wide range of diverse books is so important! It’s often how we learn about ourselves, each other, and the world. How we develop empathy. How we develop our own sense of self and our own values… I think most book challenges and bans came from parents and adults who think they are just trying to protect children. That makes sense. I’m a parent, I want to protect my children. And to be clear, parents absolutely have that right. They can decide what their own child may and may not read. But they cannot decide what other children or individuals are allowed to read…”
When looking at the opinions of people who’s profession revolves around supporting access to literature, we can see, both in the prior quote and the quote below that book banning is can be sticky subject and frowned upon by people whose job it is to help kids develop a love for reading and literacy.
“The vast majority of books challenged today have LGBTQIA+ characters or themes. I’ve heard some LGBTQ+ authors say that when their book is challenged or banned they feel like it sends the message that their life or experience isn’t valid or appropriate. That’s not okay. Every person is valid. Every life and experience is valid. And removing these books means a whole group of people don’t get to see themselves, or their experiences, or their families reflected in what they read. We remove the opportunity for their friends and peers to learn about them or their experiences and to develop empathy.“
Opinions from author Nicole Melleby on the topic are: “It hits in a different way when you realize these books being banned are about people like you, about your life and who you are and how you take up space in the world. My life isn’t inappropriate. Neither are the queer kids I write about.”
It has become abundantly clear that book banning is, in fact, wrong. It takes valuable learning opportunities away from communities and ostracizes people who may identify with the subject(s) of said books. Not having equal representation in schools, libraries, and communities in general makes people who may be part of minorities feel as though their experience is not as important. Communities should strive to make every space as inclusive and accepting as possible, and end book challenges and bans.
