Shining Light on Ongoing Censorship Attempts
September 29, 2023 Carina Chernisky
Banned Books Week 2023 is October 1-October 7.
Banned Books Week brings together the entire book community — librarians, booksellers, publishers, journalists, teachers, and readers of all types — in shared support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas, even those some consider unorthodox or unpopular.
The books featured during Banned Books Week have all been targeted with removal or restricted in libraries and schools. By focusing on efforts across the country to remove or restrict access to books, Banned Books Week draws national attention to the harms of censorship.
Libraries are staunch supporters of intellectual freedom, meaning that we want to protect your right to choose – to choose what books to read and to choose what information to access. Words have power and censorship aims to limit that power, and the freedom of others. As long as books are being written, there will be people attempting to censor certain books and viewpoints. As such, it’s important for us all to stand strong in opposition to these attempts.
Unfortunately, the American Library Association (ALA) is reporting that attempts to ban/challenge library materials have soared to new levels – and that’s just in the first 8 months of this year. Locally, we are not immune to this issue. More importantly, this is not something any of us should take lightly:
- From the removal of “Maus,” a graphic novel that tells the story of a Holocaust survivor, from classrooms in McMinn County, Tenn., to the removal of books that tell the stories of LGBTQ+ individuals from schools in Texas, these bans have focused on narratives that involve historically marginalized communities and individuals — those that have generally struggled to get their stories told. (source)
- In her own statement, Jennings, a banned author, LGBTQ advocate and star of TLC series I Am Jazz, called signing the open letter “crucial” and expressed that “by speaking out, I can defend freedom of expression, promote representation and inclusivity, support education and understanding, counter prejudice and discrimination and empower young readers to embrace their identities and fight for their rights.” (source)
Hear From Us
A few of us here at the Library wanted to share our experiences and views.
What It’s About
The Handmaid’s Tale tells the story of Offred, a handmaid. Handmaids are forced to bear children for the ruling class. The story takes place in Gilead, a totalitarian society. It has won numerous literature awards.
Why Is It Banned?
There have been complaints that:
- it is detrimental to Christian values
- it is ‘garbage’
- it is “sexually explicit, violently graphic and morally corrupt”
- it has excessive profanity
Mich’s Insight
This book highlights the terrifying result of a patriarchal government in control of women’s reproductive rights. It is extremely relevant in today’s politics. As a mother to three daughters, we like to discuss the motivations of the antagonists and protagonists in this book. I hope this makes my daughters better advocates for their rights and that of other women. The best phrase in the book, “don’t let the bastards grind you down”.
What It’s About
“Gender Queer: A Memoir” is a graphic memoir by Maia Kobabe that details the author’s personal journey of self-discovery. The book chronicles Maia’s experiences as a non-binary and bisexual individual, while grappling with societal norms and expectations. Through engaging illustrations and introspective narrative, the author reflects on their evolving understanding of gender and sexuality, addressing topics such as relationships, family dynamics, and identity. This is a poignant exploration of gender diversity and the quest for self-acceptance.
Why Is It Banned?
There have been complaints that:
- it is a form of ‘grooming’
- its subject matter is too sexually explicit for teenagers
- the illustrations are pornographic
Alphie’s Insight
This book is a deeply powerful memoir and I was impressed with how the author used text and images to share their challenges with their gender identity and body dysmorphia. The book is a testament to the courage of the author who is willing to share their journey. Early this September, during a Senate hearing, Senator John Kennedy’s (R-La.) went viral, reading a small section of the book to deliberately misrepresent the whole of Gender Queer’s content and paint it as being geared for children. As though, because it is a graphic novel, it automatically means it is meant for children. This was not only misleading but also malicious.
Reading, in all of its forms, provides a way to explore the intricacies of human experiences, and banning or challenging books like Gender Queer hampers the growth of a compassionate society.
What It’s About
Speak tells the story of Melinda, a freshman in high school, who stops speaking after a sexual assault left her traumatized. The author, Laurie Halse Anderson, wrote this book to mirror her own experience of being raped as a teenager.
Why Is It Banned?
There have been complaints that:
- it glorifies drinking, cursing, and pre-marital sex
- it is biased against males
- the topic of rape/sexual assault isn’t appropriate for teenagers
Malina’s Insight
Laurie Halse Anderson’s novel, ‘Speak,’ has a special place in my heart. The protagonist’s behavior offers a unique perspective on a main character. Delving into Melinda’s inner thoughts and actions provides a profound exploration of human emotions and was a significant experience to read as a teenager. This impactful moment would have never happened without intellectual freedom. This freedom must be protected for the many others who could use this book as a tool of enlightenment as I did.
What It’s About
Melissa, formerly published as George, tells the story of a fourth-grade girl. Melissa struggles with the fact that others view her as George, a male. Alex Gino, the author, wrote this book because it was they book they wanted to read growing up.
Why Is It Banned?
There have been complaints that:
- its LGBTQ+ storyline is inappropriate
- it encourages children to become transgender
- it mentions “dirty magazines”
Jalen’s Insight
In recognition of Banned Book Week, I want to shine light on “Melissa” by Alex Gino, a novel formerly published as “George.” I first encountered this novel in a graduate class focusing on analyzing young adult books and media. This compelling work of literature discusses important themes and perspectives surrounding transgender identity, making it a vital educational read. Shockingly, “Melissa” was the top-challenged book for three consecutive years from 2018 to 2020, primarily due to its portrayal of a transgender character as the main protagonist. It’s because of this representation that inspires me to protect and share about it, because representation matters especially for young readers. Despite these challenges, the book continues to spark meaningful conversations and push boundaries in the literary world.
What It’s AboutBridge to Terabithia tells the story of Jess, a young boy living in rural Virginia. Jess begins a friendship with Leslie, the new girl in town. Together, they create a magical kingdom called Terabithia in the woods near their homes, where they escape the challenges of their everyday lives.
There have been complaints that:
- the imaginary kingdom that Jess and Leslie created promotes secular humanism
- it contains too many curse words
- death is not an appropriate topic for young readers
My Insight
This novel holds a special place in my heart and I remember being captivated by it when I was in fifth grade. It offers young readers an opportunity to engage with complex themes such as friendship, imagination, loss, and personal growth. It invites them to navigate challenging emotions and develop empathy for characters who are facing adversity. As a society, we should encourage open dialogues between parents, educators, and young readers to help youth understand human dynamics and the world. Literature helps facilitate that! Ultimately, intellectual freedom and the ability to understand the diversity of human experiences helps to foster a more informed and compassionate society.
Celebrate Your Freedom to Read
If you’re wondering what you can do to fight censorship, check out this post from the ALA. Several key points from that page are listed below:
- Stay informed. If you hear of a challenge at your local library, support your librarian and free and open access to library materials.
- Write a letter to a favorite banned or challenged author. Take some time to thank a banned or challenged author for their words.
- Help spread the word. Use the hashtag #bannedbooksweek to declare your right to read.
- Exercise your reading rights. Check out a banned book. Encourage your book club to discuss rebellious reads.
- Speak out. Write letters to the editor, your public library director, or your school principal supporting the freedom to read. Talk to your friends about why everyone should be allowed to choose for themselves and their families what they read.
