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Last week, the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary discussed book bans. Among those testifying against the bans was Illinois Secretary of State, Alexi Giannoulias. Illinois is the first state in the nation to prohibit book bans, which made his testimony especially powerful. In Illinois, a bill was passed that only offers state funding to libraries and library systems that either adopt the American Library Association’s “Library Bill of Rights,” or develop a written policy “prohibiting the practice of banning books.” Giannoulias emphasized that the book ban movement is an example of government overreach on a proven method for opening people’s minds to other cultures, religions, and identities.
We also had the opportunity to hear from Cameron Samuels, a student at Brandeis University and co-founder of Students Engaged in Advancing Texas. Samuels explained what it was like to be a student directly impacted by policy decisions such as book bans while policymakers refused to value their voice, stating “I was left to feel isolated and alone in a room of people making policy about students like me, but without us at the decision-making table.” Samuels also emphasizes that books like Maus being banned, which talks about the atrocities of the Holocaust, “erase culture and identity from the narrative before it was even sufficiently there.”
This hearing highlighted common arguments made for and against book bans, but it also left us with the underlying piece of knowledge that many of our top politicians are unaware of the true damage and danger that these bans hold. At the beginning of the hearing, Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) brought out a poster about the “Biden Border Crisis” and suggested that there were other vital issues that the judiciary should be instead discussing. Several senators had comments both in agreement and in opposition to some of Graham’s claims. By immediately making a blatant effort to address something new, the crucial topic of banned books was not given the time and energy that was deserved. Even when the conversation moved to address the issue at stake, opponents were quick to consistently emphasize that the availability of these books truly isn’t a problem if they are still accessible on places like Amazon. This argument is incredibly out of touch – it undermines the necessity of libraries for so many families and ignores that all students don’t have access to a funded Amazon account. The ability of our nation’s youth to freely learn about different cultures, experiences, religions, and sexual identities is not something we should feel comfortable restricting. It’s time our politicians recognize the importance of literary freedom and open themselves up to experiences outside of their own.
Policymakers Fight Back (and win!)
California: The California Governor, Attorney General, and State Superintendent sent a joint letter to school superintendents and administrators warning against the legal and civil rights issues regarding book bans. The letter emphasized the intense increase in book bans, stating that “in the first half of this school year alone, 1,477 books were banned nationally, with teachers and librarians threatened with prison time for shelving the wrong book.” The letter emphasizes the Constitutional precedent against book bans and provides a warning that local educational agencies may be required to submit more information if they move forward with book bans.
Nationwide: The governors of nine states and one territory sent a letter to textbook publishers condemning the censorship of American history. They emphasized that textbook publishers have “enormous influence in shaping how our great nation’s history is told” and therefore have a responsibility to present it accurately. They warn publishers that “the consequences of your actions will reverberate for generations to come.”
Events & Resources for Action
The Authors Guild is the largest professional organization for writers and is active in advocacy involving freedom of speech and copyright issues. They have a “Stop Book Bans Toolkit” offering resources to write to your local school boards and join the fight against book banning.
The American Historical Association is the oldest professional association of historians. They advocate for accurate historical information and the importance of historical education. They have a webpage with their recent advocacy efforts, including statements about important topics like Florida’s recent African American history standards and their disappointment toward the Supreme Court’s recent ruling to overturn affirmative action.
Banned Books Week is taking place October 1-7, 2023! Celebrate by reading one of the top 13 most challenged books of 2022.