As of now there are more than 1,400 books banned in the U.S and Texas schools are banning the most books out of all states. Oct. 1-7 is Banned Books Week. This week focuses on fighting back against the censorship of books in schools and celebrates the freedom of expression that comes with literature. The topic of the week this year is “Let Freedom Read.”
There has been a dramatic increase in challenges on books and book bans, a large majority of books being about people of color or LGBTQ. There has been a 33% increase in books being removed from classrooms. Books have also been challenged on account of “sexually explicit” content, offensive language, unsuitable content, political or religious viewpoints, and “anti-family” content.
Book banning is not a new issue, but it is becoming a more relevant one as more books are being taken off shelves. As parents continue to find problems with the books in their schools’ libraries, the less supported and encouraged learning and reading becomes among our youth.
This has not only been an issue in classrooms, but also in public libraries. Our public libraries must already compete with the internet’s easy access to books but with budgets for libraries being cut on top of books being challenged by parents, our libraries are struggling.
Some popular books being challenged are:
- The series “Captain Underpants” by Dav Pilkey for “sexually explicit” content and offensive language
- “Drama” by Raina Telgemeier for LGBTQ content and “sexually explicit” content
- “And Tango Makes Three” by Peter Parnell for LGBTQ content, unsuitable content, “anti-family” content, political and religious viewpoints.
- “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian” by Sherman Alexie for offensive language, “sexually explicit content, and unsuitable content
- “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” by Stephen Chbosky for drug content, LGBTQ content, “anti-family” content, unsuitable content, political and religious viewpoints.
After truly reading any of these books, you can find they are for young people and appropriate for that age group. The way the book is described is, “When fourth graders George and Harold accidentally hypnotize their principal, they turn him into Captain Underpants. All it takes is a snap of the fingers to let this caped crusader loose upon a world of talking toilets, lunchroom zombies, and other outrageous villains.” The general message of the book is to always bring some fun into your life.
Book banning might not be a new problem, but it is a polarizing one. Books being taken off shelves, damaging libraries in schools and communities is not the solution. Censorship from literature is not the solution. The solution is making the choice between what you as an individual choose to read and what you do not while not making that choice for everyone else. In honor of banned book week, choose to pick up a challenged or banned book, bring awareness to it, and make your stand.
