Amidst literary classics from Kate Chopin’s The Awakening to Toni Morisson’s Beloved, the now-empty spaces on school library shelves tell their own story. The power of literature has long been used for sharing knowledge, ideas, and critiques of the world, yet many works are now at risk of being censored.
From classics that once pioneered pivotal social movements to contemporary works addressing current affairs, the rise in book bans in America has sparked intense debates over who has the authority to determine access to literature and education. Efforts to remove books from public schools and libraries have increasingly targeted works that center on marginalized communities, including those addressing race, gender, and LGBTQ+ identities. These bans are more than acts of mere censorship; they represent a deliberate effort to control which perspectives and voices are deemed acceptable in society.
The long history behind book bans
The threat of book banning is not a recent phenomenon. Book banning has a long and complex history, with one of the earliest documented accounts beginning in 259-210 B.C. when the Chinese emperor, Qin Shi Huang, ordered the burning of all books in his kingdom that taught philosophy or otherwise challenged his teachings. Early book banning set a precedent for censoring works that criticized authority, a practice that would persist throughout history.
From burning the Library of Alexandria to implementing the Index Librorum Prohibitorum, literary censorship has persisted across civilizations and eras as a means for those in power to control access to knowledge and shape ideological narratives. While often associated with many other countries historically, book banning remains a pressing issue in the United States even today.
Book banning in America
Book banning in the United States has a long yet evolving history, often reflecting the nation’s political or religious values at the time. One of the earliest banned books in American history, Thomas Morton’s The New English Canaan, was published and banned in 1637 due to its harsh criticism of Puritan customs and structures prevalent at the time.
During the early development of the United States, government authorities and religious leaders continued to censor literary works they deemed too “controversial”. From The Age of Reason challenging religious rulers, to Leaves of Grass discussing same-sex relationships, banned books throughout American history have often questioned ideologies and societal norms. Early book banning set a precedent for censoring works that criticized authority, a practice that would persist throughout history.
By the 20th century, book banning had become directly impacted by adapting political and cultural values. Movements like the Red Scare and Lavender Scare targeted novels that questioned “American” values like government authority and sexuality. This sentiment continued into the 1960s and 1970s, targeting books on race, gender, and civil rights. Even in more recent times, book bans have continued to depict the ongoing struggles over free speech, political ideology, and the ever-evolving social values of our nation.
“Restriction of free thought and free speech is the most dangerous of all subversions. It is the one un-American act that could most easily defeat us.”
Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas in United States v. Rumely (1953)
Book banning has continued into the 21st century, with schools and libraries nationwide being forced to remove “controversial” literature. The continuing efforts to silence narratives that challenge dominant ideologies have only become more prevalent. A significant section of banned books currently being challenged directly feature characters from marginalized backgrounds and communities. Nearly 40% of banned books include POC characters, and over 20% of books directly address historic and systemic racism. Many banned books discuss issues of historical oppression faced by minority groups (race, gender, religion, etc.) that challenge mainstream perspectives. Through censoring these literary works, those in power attempt to limit the visibility and recognition of marginalized communities and experiences.
The primary targets of book bans
Similar to previous decades, BIPOC, LGBTQ+ and women authors continue to face the most censorship in our nation for works that highlight marginalized communities. Within the 2022-23 school year alone, PEN America recorded 3,362 book bans distributed amongst U.S. public schools and libraries. Amidst these bans, students are prevented access to the literary works of nearly 1,500 authors and illustrators. These restrictions limit young children’s access to thousands of works, potentially hindering their understanding of different cultures, identities, and experiences.
In recent years, the U.S. has witnessed an alarming rise in book bans across the nation. Although most Americans oppose book bans, there was a reported 33% increase in bans over the past year. Far-right “parent’s rights” groups, including Moms for Liberty and MassResistance, are significant drivers of current book bans.
Additionally, state legislators have enacted laws like Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” law, which restricts LGBTQ+ content in classrooms. This law and similar state policies drive book bans targeting race, LGBTQ+ issues, and social injustice. While proponents of the bans argue for parental control over education, critics emphasize the dangers of limiting accessibility to diverse voices and experiences during pivotal stages of critical thinking.
Combating against censorship
Despite the ongoing rise in book bans and censorship efforts, many Americans continue to fight for intellectual freedom. There are several ways people can protest censorship and advocate for literary free speech. It is important to recognize that book bans impact not only the nation’s right to education but local communities as well.
Researching local school board meetings and policies helps individuals to stay informed and actively oppose censorship at a community level. Additionally, organizing and attending local banned book readings brings awareness and access to censored literature. Community spaces, such as public libraries, schools, parks, and even bookstores, host banned book readings.
Along with community efforts, online activism also plays a crucial role in bringing awareness and accessibility to book bans. Social media movements like the American Library Association’s #BannedBooksWeek aims to invite readers to celebrate and support censored literature.
Online communities and solidarity for this movement extend beyond advocacy groups, offering many ways to stay actively involved. Digital libraries and crowdfunding campaigns also support efforts to distribute banned books to a mass audience. Through the internet, online groups have raised awareness, organized campaigns, and shared resources to fight against literary censorship.
The long-term effects on society
The current state of book bans in America is unprecedented, targeting a wider range of authors and topics. Unlike previous eras, where book bans were primarily local, current bans are part of a national political campaign. Efforts for literary censorship have further been amplified through social media and online news outlets. This shift has led to the rapid increase of censorship efforts, impacting multiple states simultaneously.
Book bans have a detrimental impact on education and the accessibility of diverse curricula for young students today. As schools and libraries remove more books, children’s exposure to different perspectives and opportunities for critical thinking become further limited. These efforts stifle young students’ intellectual growth and development while compromising core educational values like empathy and understanding others.
On a broader scale, book bans contribute to the growing political culture of censorship. When political ideologies restrict access to information, it threatens the principles of free speech and the right to education. Despite the current political shift toward increased censorship in America, many continue to find ways to fight for intellectual freedom.
The rise of online platforms makes it easier for advocacy groups and communities to organize and protest against book bans. Additionally, social media has amplified marginalized voices, raising awareness and increasing exposure to previously restricted material. The current state of political advocacy allows individuals to challenge censorship with greater accessibility and visibility than ever before.
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