Reflecting on Banned Books Week

Reading is an act of resistance: an act more important now than ever.

The week of October 5th-11th was Banned Books Week, an opportunity for many readers to reflect on the importance of literature, and conversely, the dangers of censorship. In a time where political tensions are high, and debates around censorship and free speech are rampant, citizens have a duty to read, learn, and educate ourselves. We read not only for our own education, but for our freedom, for our ability to escape, and to immerse ourselves in perspectives different from our own. 

What is a Book Ban vs. Book Challenge?

It is crucial to first understand the difference between a book ban and a book challenge. According to the American Library Association, “A challenge is an attempt to remove or restrict materials, based upon the objections of a person or group. A banning is the removal of those materials.” 

Our current culture targeting African American history, discussions about LGBTQ people and their rights, and other discussions around race and systemic oppression has invited both of these phenomenons—bans and challenges. The issue with banning books, however, lies in the restriction of freedom to read, and the denial of education to people who would otherwise have no other source of it. Classic literature serves a wealth of purposes; not only does it educate, but it is a tool for empathy, an encourager of critical thinking, and a channel of unique human experience.

Additionally, the ability to read is not only a right, but a privilege. Literacy, for many minority groups in this country, was not so easily granted. Looking back at the history of our country—which gives us striking clues about the plight of our country today—we reveal the dark legacy literacy tests. Spanning the late 1800s to the 1960s, during the Jim Crow era, literacy tests were extremely difficult, intentionally confusing exams given only to Black Americans before they were allowed to vote. In a previous Mindful Discussion titled Voting, presenter Sabrina Boykin goes into detail about the harm this caused the Black community, noting how it set back generations of families by denying them the right to exercise their civic voice in the United States. 

While book bans do not directly prevent people from voting, they do limit people’s access to pieces of ground-breaking literature that have served as a source of education, works that have become cultural resets for many generations. If elected representatives, school boards, and public educators ban books simply on the basis that they disagree with the messages they teach, then where will we draw the line? 

The dilemma is clear; this logic of censorship can easily become a dangerous dive into banning important parts of history, erasing centuries of a fight against injustice that hundreds of people fought. 

Reading is resistance. 

In times like these, the search for truth is paramount, and oftentimes, literature helps us find it. 

Below is a list of some of our favorite banned books at BySabrina: 

The Color Purple by Alice Walker

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

1984 by George Orwell

The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

If others come to mind, add to this list by leaving a comment!

Reading is resistance, because knowledge is power. Use the resources you have to fight injustice where you see it, one story at a time, one banned book at a time. 

As you read, remember to Be Mindful, Be Purposeful, and Be Positive. This fight depends on all of us, together. 

Best,

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