An online space for our community to extend our engagement with education and pop culture
Tuesday, August 20, 2024
November 19…Book Banning
Find something recent from the news about book banning/censorship. You can relate it to the New Kid situation or feel free to write about anything you want to think about/discuss related to the topic.
Recent book banning news shows a troubling increase in censorship efforts, targeting books with themes about LGBTQ+ identities and racial diversity. The American Library Association (ALA) documented an increase in public library challenges of nearly 92% compared to the previous year. These challenges aim to remove books that provide diverse perspectives or complex social issues. The most targeted books are by Black, Indigenous, and LGBTQ+ authors, making up nearly half of the challenged titles this year. The New Kid situation, where Jerry Craft's graphic novel about a Black student's experiences at a predominantly white private school faced bans for promoting "critical race theory," fits into this context.
I recently read an article discussing the book banning trend that has been further developing in the US within the past two years. From 2022 to now, thousands of books have been banned from schools and libraries each year. What i found interesting, however, was the type of books that were being banned and why. The most popular category of books that were banned is those seen as violent or abusive. At least with this category i can somewhat understand the perspective of those advocating for the ban. A book that is very dark, and full of abuse, assault or terrible actions could be fine being left out of school libraries. However, i think the difference is if these books are fictional or based on true events. A fictional story that includes awful things that could scar a young child or traumatize them should be left out. But a true story or personal account that could spread awareness to the things that happens in this world could be helpful. Its a very fine line because different kids and ages can handle different types of information. I think instead of banning the books all together, maybe there could be certain age restrictions, or parent or teacher approval for the student to rent the book.
I had been seeing and hearing a couple of certain books that have been banned and put on restrictions to which most the books that are likely challenged have LGBT themes that are mainly about the diversity of blacks and have a lot of dark stories which is completely understnadable not wanting it to be in public libraries and school libraries because its just not an appropriate book for some people including a child, but I don't think they should have some books on restriction or banned they should not just have it in library and make it more for a online audio book that you can buy and listen too even if its non-fiction based on a true story or fictional
According to recent news, over 10,000 books were banned across the US during the 2023-2024 school year. Black youth aren't shielded from the realities of the world, so why should white youth be shielded from literature? Exposing children to different perspectives and challenging/controversial topics creates empathy and a better understanding of the world. A lack of knowledge is more likely to perpetuate harmful ideologies than books that address those ideologies. To me, the most concerning aspect is the direct effect on minority groups, especially those who find representation within those books. While Jordan's experiences are fictional, they reflect real-world issues.
This doesn’t directly relate to book banning, but I found a recent article that discussed the annual Texas Book Festival returning to Austin Texas. The festival does work throughout the year to donate books to Title 1 schools and raise money for public libraries. I thought this was interesting since Texas has had the most book bans, with 438 in 2022, and continues to have controversial book bans. The event is a hub for a diverse selection of books and authors, which book banning and censorship actively diminishes from school libraries. People who attend the festival tell reporters that it’s “refreshing” and that books are “lived experiences.” All the more reason to keep books in school, so students can see and learn about society/world in different perspectives.
A recent PEN America report claims that over 10,000 books were banned in US public schools during the 2023–2024 school year, which is a significant increase over previous years. States like Florida and Iowa saw the most book bans because of new censorship laws pushed by conservative groups, including those that targeted books with LGBTQ+ themes and characters of color.
According to the American Library Association, 414 books were pushed to be censored and ultimately banned through just January to August of this year. The ALA notes that in states such as Arkansas, officials are finding success in their book banning and have now pushed for the criminalization of librarians if such books deemed inappropriate to younger audiences are not taken off the shelves. For me, this makes me question the legality behind this when such actions are wanting to be taken place in public libraries. As well, how is this book banning affecting the authors of such books and new upcoming writers? Is such making an already challenging field to find success in even more challenging? Furthermore, by attempting to silence the author of New Kid from sharing his own anecdotal personal experiences, what does that say about our individual freedoms and rights for which our constitution is reliant upon?
A recent CBS article reveals that Florida has banned hundreds of books from school libraries. Many authors have started to sue Florida “saying that it violates the First Amendment and has created ‘a regime of strict censorship’ in schools.” You can see in other articles that they particularly ban books focusing LGBTQ+ and race. I think it’s pointless to ban books, especially ones discussing social issues. Kids, regardless of book bans, will learn about the world and how messy it is. It’s the parents job to watch over their children so they don’t read something they may not be ready for, and cultivate critical thinking once they are ready. But pushing their entire state into banning books is unfair for everyone else, especially if it’s over absurd reasoning. Access to literature and art is a right that everyone should have. Outright banning these things is trying to force a veil over people’s eyes so they don’t think a certain way.
Book banning in the United States has escalated to unusual levels, with over 10,000 instances reported in public schools during the 2023–2024 school year. This is nearly triple from the year prior. A significant portion of these bans targeted books featuring themes of race, LGBTQ+ identities, and social justice. This raises concerns about the suppression of diverse voices and experiences. These bans often arise from state legislation or community challenges, underscoring growing political and cultural battles over educational content.
The movement has provoked strong responses, including a congressional resolution advocating for students' rights to access diverse literature. Advocates, including organizations like PEN America, argue that these bans harm students' ability to empathize, process trauma, and see themselves reflected in stories. These issues parallel cases like New Kid by Jerry Craft, previously challenged for addressing racial issues, demonstrating how censorship stifles important conversations about identity and inclusion.
A recent and significant example of book banning is Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye, which has received opposition in school districts across the United States. The novel, which delves into themes of race, beauty, and trauma, has been pulled from some classrooms and libraries owing to its depiction of sexual violence and examination of systematic racism. Critics believe that the book is inappropriate for young readers due to its graphic content. Supporters, on the other hand, claim that The Bluest Eye is a compelling work that prompts critical reflection on identity, cultural standards, and the consequences of racism. This dispute exposes an increasing tendency to ban publications that address sensitive issues, particularly those concerning race and sexuality. While some consider this as a way to safeguard youngsters from dangerous content, others believe that it restricts pupils' ability to interact with difficult subjects and get a deeper grasp of history and culture.
Christine: I learned that in the 2023-2024 school year, Volusia County School Board in Florida removed 53 books, while in the previous school year, they had only gotten rid of two. This has led to a lawsuit being filed against them, with author Laurie Halse Anderson being one of the plaintiffs. She’s written a few books about serious subject matter, including one about a girl who was raped and how she doesn’t know how to speak up about it. In an interview, Anderson says she writes about serious topics so that kids can be better informed and more prepared to face possible harm and that avoiding these topics can leave kids vulnerable or ignorant. I agree with this; as someone who read a lot as a kid (and still tries to), I’ve learned so much about hard things that people around me don’t necessarily discuss directly or only provide a mild version of the reality. In addition, she mentions that her opinion that books are the way to overcome the differences that strong opposing beliefs in communities cause. I agree with this wholeheartedly, as I’d attribute reading to being part of the reason why I can try to see the perspective of people who are different from me. Reading Anderson’s interview made me realize how much crazier the New Kid situation is, especially since even though the book does deal with real and serious issues, it’s not as dark as rape. The fact that people would take offense to it does feel a bit worrying.
Last class, it was brought to my attention the mass book ban happening in the state of Florida. Now, I will say the state it’s self as a whole doesn’t appear to be putting out a list of banned books. Instead it appears the county themselves are picking books to ban and certain ones to only allow to older kids. It’s just that combined; this is equaling up to 100s of different books being banned in certain schools. I myself do not want to support the banning of books, but on some levels, I can see where parents and county officials may be coming from with certain titles. For example, one of the series I saw on the list that was banned was The Game of Thrones series. Anyone who's watched or even read this series knows that in no world is this appropriate for a younger audience. So, in a case like this, I agree that this book series probably shouldn’t be carried in a public school library. However, if, say, a middle schooler really wanted to read this book and bought it with their own money or their parents bought it for them, and they brought it to read at school independently, then I see no issue. In that case, the school has not supplied the child with the book, and actions lie soles on the child and parents; if the school still tried to ban the kid from bringing the book to read to school, then I believe that’s going to far as it is not their property. The real problems come into play when books are being banned solely because of their mentions of sexuality, race, and gender. A book being banned because it has detailed assault scenes, I can understand, but a book being banned because you don’t want children exposed to LGBTQ+ stuff or mentions of discrimination or societal issues pertaining to gender is another matter. It’s hard to exactly to explain why because as discussed in class when you already agree something shouldn’t be in schools, then that’s a form of censorship. To say it’s simply not right to ban these types of books would sound biased in a way because some parents may view these books on the same level I view GOT. It’s a difficult rope to walk. Is this book being banned because it’s overly sexual and not appropriate for a young audience? Is there too much violence for a middle and elementary audience but okay for high school? Or is someone trying to really read between the lines and ban this book simply because they personally don’t agree with something in it? I think a better solution to this could be a committee made up of people whos sole job is to view the books in public schools and vote on whats deemed appropriate for what ages. This group should also be voted on by members of the community, such as how we run elections. Book banning just simply isn't going to go away but with a concept like this at least the community would have a say in who makes the decisions.
Books are an important way of gaining knowledge about other people and the world around us. We learn to read from a young age and then continue to more advanced topics and words as we get older. Recently, there has been news about common books becoming banned from certain school libraries which would have a negative effect on our kid’s education. Banning books would mean that your kids would not have the same social awareness and the chance to question societal standards. Books help to teach about other perspectives and is a good source of information. Withholding key life lessons from young, impressionable children is wrong because they should have all the information to make that decision themselves. Yes, there are certain books that may be “inappropriate” for younger audiences but that would be a common sense decision to wait until they’re older to read if it is required for the education lesson plan. I think censoring books is not a good idea because books are an art form in itself and they deserve to be seen.
I found an article talking about how lately there have been books banned that covered some of the race/gender issues in the world. These books would simply get banned in the schools from using a character that is LGBTQ+. These books might have been banned for trying to educate them on recent movements or issues with the world. Trying to not let kids read the books is like hiding knowledge that the kid might have been trying to get. If the kids didn't like the books they just wouldn't read them, but to others its important. Maybe even is about other kids or people in their place.
The shocking amount of books banned in the United States is really eye opening to how much work still needs to be done towards equality and against discrimination in this country. The books being banned often have LGBTQ+ or other diverse characters. The fact that people want these books banned is not the shocking part to me, but rather the success in the number of books they are banning is appalling. Taking these diverse characters and stories away from the kids is not only showing kids a smaller world view, but also showing kids who identify with those characters that they should be ashamed and don't deserve to be celebrated.
I have read a couple of articles, and most claim that over 10,000 books have been banned in the United States alone in this past year. I think when banning books government officials have been getting too power-hungry and are just banning books because they can. They also seem to be pushing their opinions onto the youth of America which they claim is something they are against so really whose side are they on?
Book banning and censorship are heated topics, with recent reports showing a sharp increase in banned books across the U.S. In the 2023-2024 school year, over 10,000 books were banned; more than double the previous year's number. Many of these books deal with topics like race, gender identity, mental health, and historical events. Florida had the highest number of bans, removing over 4,500 books, often using new laws that give parents and communities more power to challenge what students can read.
I was reading an article published by Central Florida Public Media about a list of 700 books to be ban by Florida Department of Education, one book however caught my eye, its called "Me Earl and the Dying girl," Which haulted me, I was thinking about both he book and the movie and what they contain, I can't understand why it is being ban. This was one of my favorite books in middle school, a scrawny pasty white boy in a coming of age story about his black friend and his forced friend who evidently had cancer. I think they jus have something against black people to be honest, it has to be that.
I was researching and found out in the years 2023-24 there has been a 200% increase in banned books. Most of the authors of these books are apart of the LGBTQ community. This is especially popular in Florida where there has been a huge uproar in the banning of books
When i hear the term "book banning" or "banned books" I think about Texas and Florida immediately, but when I was looking at articles it really opened my eyes to the fact that this is happening all over. I found an article on goodreads that listed books that are commonly being banned in schools and again I was taken aback. I found out that schools in California are banning The Lorax. The Lorax. This is one quote from an article I found about the Lorax being removed, "parents were concerned that teachers were “brainwashing” their children and were fearful the children would start an uprising against the logging industry." I think this is indicator of how far some people are taking things. While kids are kids and need to protected from some worldly issues when young, I am so incredibly saddened to see the amount of books that empower the bipoc population and books that teach people about the lgbtq+ community that are not allowed in schools. If we teach kids these things are wrong, where are we going in society and will empathy just continue to be drained?
Book banning is a growing issue throughout the U.S because it usually has to do with sensitive topics, and don't want those type of books to be shown to kids. On the contrary, I believe these books SHOULD be shown. These type of books help spread awareness on certain social issues that have been needing to be resolved for years. Moreover, it also helps inform children on these social issues to either educate them, or try to avoid them.
The idea that I will have to live in a world were the history, stories, and understandings of individuals how look like me is a frightening and sobering reality. The whole plan when it comes to the book banning is to erase what has already been taught, and make it harder to not bend the truth. From certain articles that I have read, the ALA Office has tracked 414 attempts to censor library materials and services. All I can think about is how this is going to affect the future students coming into school, and the fact that they will always have water down version within the school system.
Recent book banning news shows a troubling increase in censorship efforts, targeting books with themes about LGBTQ+ identities and racial diversity. The American Library Association (ALA) documented an increase in public library challenges of nearly 92% compared to the previous year. These challenges aim to remove books that provide diverse perspectives or complex social issues. The most targeted books are by Black, Indigenous, and LGBTQ+ authors, making up nearly half of the challenged titles this year. The New Kid situation, where Jerry Craft's graphic novel about a Black student's experiences at a predominantly white private school faced bans for promoting "critical race theory," fits into this context.
ReplyDeleteI recently read an article discussing the book banning trend that has been further developing in the US within the past two years. From 2022 to now, thousands of books have been banned from schools and libraries each year. What i found interesting, however, was the type of books that were being banned and why. The most popular category of books that were banned is those seen as violent or abusive. At least with this category i can somewhat understand the perspective of those advocating for the ban. A book that is very dark, and full of abuse, assault or terrible actions could be fine being left out of school libraries. However, i think the difference is if these books are fictional or based on true events. A fictional story that includes awful things that could scar a young child or traumatize them should be left out. But a true story or personal account that could spread awareness to the things that happens in this world could be helpful. Its a very fine line because different kids and ages can handle different types of information. I think instead of banning the books all together, maybe there could be certain age restrictions, or parent or teacher approval for the student to rent the book.
ReplyDeleteI had been seeing and hearing a couple of certain books that have been banned and put on restrictions to which most the books that are likely challenged have LGBT themes that are mainly about the diversity of blacks and have a lot of dark stories which is completely understnadable not wanting it to be in public libraries and school libraries because its just not an appropriate book for some people including a child, but I don't think they should have some books on restriction or banned they should not just have it in library and make it more for a online audio book that you can buy and listen too even if its non-fiction based on a true story or fictional
ReplyDeleteAccording to recent news, over 10,000 books were banned across the US during the 2023-2024 school year. Black youth aren't shielded from the realities of the world, so why should white youth be shielded from literature? Exposing children to different perspectives and challenging/controversial topics creates empathy and a better understanding of the world. A lack of knowledge is more likely to perpetuate harmful ideologies than books that address those ideologies. To me, the most concerning aspect is the direct effect on minority groups, especially those who find representation within those books. While Jordan's experiences are fictional, they reflect real-world issues.
ReplyDeleteThis doesn’t directly relate to book banning, but I found a recent article that discussed the annual Texas Book Festival returning to Austin Texas. The festival does work throughout the year to donate books to Title 1 schools and raise money for public libraries. I thought this was interesting since Texas has had the most book bans, with 438 in 2022, and continues to have controversial book bans. The event is a hub for a diverse selection of books and authors, which book banning and censorship actively diminishes from school libraries. People who attend the festival tell reporters that it’s “refreshing” and that books are “lived experiences.” All the more reason to keep books in school, so students can see and learn about society/world in different perspectives.
ReplyDeleteA recent PEN America report claims that over 10,000 books were banned in US public schools during the 2023–2024 school year, which is a significant increase over previous years. States like Florida and Iowa saw the most book bans because of new censorship laws pushed by conservative groups, including those that targeted books with LGBTQ+ themes and characters of color.
ReplyDeleteAccording to the American Library Association, 414 books were pushed to be censored and ultimately banned through just January to August of this year. The ALA notes that in states such as Arkansas, officials are finding success in their book banning and have now pushed for the criminalization of librarians if such books deemed inappropriate to younger audiences are not taken off the shelves. For me, this makes me question the legality behind this when such actions are wanting to be taken place in public libraries. As well, how is this book banning affecting the authors of such books and new upcoming writers? Is such making an already challenging field to find success in even more challenging? Furthermore, by attempting to silence the author of New Kid from sharing his own anecdotal personal experiences, what does that say about our individual freedoms and rights for which our constitution is reliant upon?
ReplyDeleteA recent CBS article reveals that Florida has banned hundreds of books from school libraries. Many authors have started to sue Florida “saying that it violates the First Amendment and has created ‘a regime of strict censorship’ in schools.” You can see in other articles that they particularly ban books focusing LGBTQ+ and race. I think it’s pointless to ban books, especially ones discussing social issues. Kids, regardless of book bans, will learn about the world and how messy it is. It’s the parents job to watch over their children so they don’t read something they may not be ready for, and cultivate critical thinking once they are ready. But pushing their entire state into banning books is unfair for everyone else, especially if it’s over absurd reasoning. Access to literature and art is a right that everyone should have. Outright banning these things is trying to force a veil over people’s eyes so they don’t think a certain way.
ReplyDeleteBook banning in the United States has escalated to unusual levels, with over 10,000 instances reported in public schools during the 2023–2024 school year. This is nearly triple from the year prior. A significant portion of these bans targeted books featuring themes of race, LGBTQ+ identities, and social justice. This raises concerns about the suppression of diverse voices and experiences. These bans often arise from state legislation or community challenges, underscoring growing political and cultural battles over educational content.
ReplyDeleteThe movement has provoked strong responses, including a congressional resolution advocating for students' rights to access diverse literature. Advocates, including organizations like PEN America, argue that these bans harm students' ability to empathize, process trauma, and see themselves reflected in stories. These issues parallel cases like New Kid by Jerry Craft, previously challenged for addressing racial issues, demonstrating how censorship stifles important conversations about identity and inclusion.
https://pen.org/report/beyond-the-shelves/
A recent and significant example of book banning is Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye, which has received opposition in school districts across the United States. The novel, which delves into themes of race, beauty, and trauma, has been pulled from some classrooms and libraries owing to its depiction of sexual violence and examination of systematic racism. Critics believe that the book is inappropriate for young readers due to its graphic content. Supporters, on the other hand, claim that The Bluest Eye is a compelling work that prompts critical reflection on identity, cultural standards, and the consequences of racism.
ReplyDeleteThis dispute exposes an increasing tendency to ban publications that address sensitive issues, particularly those concerning race and sexuality. While some consider this as a way to safeguard youngsters from dangerous content, others believe that it restricts pupils' ability to interact with difficult subjects and get a deeper grasp of history and culture.
Christine:
ReplyDeleteI learned that in the 2023-2024 school year, Volusia County School Board in Florida removed 53 books, while in the previous school year, they had only gotten rid of two. This has led to a lawsuit being filed against them, with author Laurie Halse Anderson being one of the plaintiffs. She’s written a few books about serious subject matter, including one about a girl who was raped and how she doesn’t know how to speak up about it. In an interview, Anderson says she writes about serious topics so that kids can be better informed and more prepared to face possible harm and that avoiding these topics can leave kids vulnerable or ignorant. I agree with this; as someone who read a lot as a kid (and still tries to), I’ve learned so much about hard things that people around me don’t necessarily discuss directly or only provide a mild version of the reality. In addition, she mentions that her opinion that books are the way to overcome the differences that strong opposing beliefs in communities cause. I agree with this wholeheartedly, as I’d attribute reading to being part of the reason why I can try to see the perspective of people who are different from me. Reading Anderson’s interview made me realize how much crazier the New Kid situation is, especially since even though the book does deal with real and serious issues, it’s not as dark as rape. The fact that people would take offense to it does feel a bit worrying.
Last class, it was brought to my attention the mass book ban happening in the state of Florida. Now, I will say the state it’s self as a whole doesn’t appear to be putting out a list of banned books. Instead it appears the county themselves are picking books to ban and certain ones to only allow to older kids. It’s just that combined; this is equaling up to 100s of different books being banned in certain schools. I myself do not want to support the banning of books, but on some levels, I can see where parents and county officials may be coming from with certain titles. For example, one of the series I saw on the list that was banned was The Game of Thrones series. Anyone who's watched or even read this series knows that in no world is this appropriate for a younger audience. So, in a case like this, I agree that this book series probably shouldn’t be carried in a public school library. However, if, say, a middle schooler really wanted to read this book and bought it with their own money or their parents bought it for them, and they brought it to read at school independently, then I see no issue. In that case, the school has not supplied the child with the book, and actions lie soles on the child and parents; if the school still tried to ban the kid from bringing the book to read to school, then I believe that’s going to far as it is not their property. The real problems come into play when books are being banned solely because of their mentions of sexuality, race, and gender. A book being banned because it has detailed assault scenes, I can understand, but a book being banned because you don’t want children exposed to LGBTQ+ stuff or mentions of discrimination or societal issues pertaining to gender is another matter. It’s hard to exactly to explain why because as discussed in class when you already agree something shouldn’t be in schools, then that’s a form of censorship. To say it’s simply not right to ban these types of books would sound biased in a way because some parents may view these books on the same level I view GOT. It’s a difficult rope to walk. Is this book being banned because it’s overly sexual and not appropriate for a young audience? Is there too much violence for a middle and elementary audience but okay for high school? Or is someone trying to really read between the lines and ban this book simply because they personally don’t agree with something in it? I think a better solution to this could be a committee made up of people whos sole job is to view the books in public schools and vote on whats deemed appropriate for what ages. This group should also be voted on by members of the community, such as how we run elections. Book banning just simply isn't going to go away but with a concept like this at least the community would have a say in who makes the decisions.
ReplyDeleteRachel Wolburg
DeleteBooks are an important way of gaining knowledge about other people and the world around us. We learn to read from a young age and then continue to more advanced topics and words as we get older. Recently, there has been news about common books becoming banned from certain school libraries which would have a negative effect on our kid’s education. Banning books would mean that your kids would not have the same social awareness and the chance to question societal standards. Books help to teach about other perspectives and is a good source of information. Withholding key life lessons from young, impressionable children is wrong because they should have all the information to make that decision themselves. Yes, there are certain books that may be “inappropriate” for younger audiences but that would be a common sense decision to wait until they’re older to read if it is required for the education lesson plan. I think censoring books is not a good idea because books are an art form in itself and they deserve to be seen.
ReplyDeleteI found an article talking about how lately there have been books banned that covered some of the race/gender issues in the world. These books would simply get banned in the schools from using a character that is LGBTQ+. These books might have been banned for trying to educate them on recent movements or issues with the world. Trying to not let kids read the books is like hiding knowledge that the kid might have been trying to get. If the kids didn't like the books they just wouldn't read them, but to others its important. Maybe even is about other kids or people in their place.
ReplyDeleteThe shocking amount of books banned in the United States is really eye opening to how much work still needs to be done towards equality and against discrimination in this country. The books being banned often have LGBTQ+ or other diverse characters. The fact that people want these books banned is not the shocking part to me, but rather the success in the number of books they are banning is appalling. Taking these diverse characters and stories away from the kids is not only showing kids a smaller world view, but also showing kids who identify with those characters that they should be ashamed and don't deserve to be celebrated.
ReplyDeleteI have read a couple of articles, and most claim that over 10,000 books have been banned in the United States alone in this past year. I think when banning books government officials have been getting too power-hungry and are just banning books because they can. They also seem to be pushing their opinions onto the youth of America which they claim is something they are against so really whose side are they on?
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteBook banning and censorship are heated topics, with recent reports showing a sharp increase in banned books across the U.S. In the 2023-2024 school year, over 10,000 books were banned; more than double the previous year's number. Many of these books deal with topics like race, gender identity, mental health, and historical events. Florida had the highest number of bans, removing over 4,500 books, often using new laws that give parents and communities more power to challenge what students can read.
I was reading an article published by Central Florida Public Media about a list of 700 books to be ban by Florida Department of Education, one book however caught my eye, its called "Me Earl and the Dying girl," Which haulted me, I was thinking about both he book and the movie and what they contain, I can't understand why it is being ban. This was one of my favorite books in middle school, a scrawny pasty white boy in a coming of age story about his black friend and his forced friend who evidently had cancer. I think they jus have something against black people to be honest, it has to be that.
ReplyDeleteYaseen Salih
DeleteI was researching and found out in the years 2023-24 there has been a 200% increase in banned books. Most of the authors of these books are apart of the LGBTQ community. This is especially popular in Florida where there has been a huge uproar in the banning of books
ReplyDeleteWhen i hear the term "book banning" or "banned books" I think about Texas and Florida immediately, but when I was looking at articles it really opened my eyes to the fact that this is happening all over. I found an article on goodreads that listed books that are commonly being banned in schools and again I was taken aback. I found out that schools in California are banning The Lorax. The Lorax. This is one quote from an article I found about the Lorax being removed, "parents were concerned that teachers were “brainwashing” their children and were fearful the children would start an uprising against the logging industry." I think this is indicator of how far some people are taking things. While kids are kids and need to protected from some worldly issues when young, I am so incredibly saddened to see the amount of books that empower the bipoc population and books that teach people about the lgbtq+ community that are not allowed in schools. If we teach kids these things are wrong, where are we going in society and will empathy just continue to be drained?
ReplyDeleteRiley Jenkins
DeleteBook banning is a growing issue throughout the U.S because it usually has to do with sensitive topics, and don't want those type of books to be shown to kids. On the contrary, I believe these books SHOULD be shown. These type of books help spread awareness on certain social issues that have been needing to be resolved for years. Moreover, it also helps inform children on these social issues to either educate them, or try to avoid them.
ReplyDeleteThe idea that I will have to live in a world were the history, stories, and understandings of individuals how look like me is a frightening and sobering reality. The whole plan when it comes to the book banning is to erase what has already been taught, and make it harder to not bend the truth. From certain articles that I have read, the ALA Office has tracked 414 attempts to censor library materials and services. All I can think about is how this is going to affect the future students coming into school, and the fact that they will always have water down version within the school system.
ReplyDelete