Banned Books Week: A 'Celebration of the Freedom to Read'
"Censorship is about more than a single book. It is about the intellectual, cultural and political life of the community and the people in it."
Want to celebrate freedom from censorship and open access to information this week?
You might want to pick up a copy of Captain Underpants, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, or The Hunger Games. That's because they're on the list of 2013's most challenged books, and this is Banned Books Week, an annual "celebration of the freedom to read."
"Our most basic freedom in a democratic society is our first amendment right of the freedom to read," a statement from American Library Association (ALA) President Courtney Young reads. "Banned Books Week is an opportunity for all of us--community residents, librarians, authors and educators--to stand together protecting this fundamental right for everyone and for future generations. We can never take this precious right for granted."
The ALA joins the National Coalition Against Censorship, the American Society of Journalists and Authors and Comic Book Legal Defense Fund (CBLDF) among other groups, in sponsoring this year's event.
"This year we spotlight graphic novels because, despite their serious literary merit and popularity as a genre, they are often subject to censorship," stated Judith Platt, chair of the Banned Books Week National Committee.
Since 1982, the Banned Books Week website states, over 11,300 books in schools, libraries and bookstores have been challenged, with over 300 reported just last year. While a single challenge to remove a book over concerns of inappropriateness appears to affect one local institution, the CBLDF explains how the effects are, in fact, far-reaching.
In its Banned Books Week Handbook (pdf) the group states:
Censorship is about more than a single book. It is about the intellectual, cultural and political life of the community and the people in it.
Each time a book is removed, it reinforces the idea that books and ideas are off-limits if someone doesn't like them. It contributes to a culture where it's better to hide from controversial or difficult topics, than to acknowledge or discuss them. Restricting or banning a book hurts kids and education, because teachers and librarians may decide not to teach or buy another similar book, even if they feel it would be educational or enjoyable.
Events are taking place across the nation through September 27, including "virtual read-outs" of challenged books.
We are at a crossroads
This country and this world are at a monumental crossroads. In a few short weeks, US voters will have an opportunity to beat back the forces of fascism and confront the billionaires who are rigging the economy, our media system, and our democracy, making it increasingly impossible for ordinary people to get by. We’re not just talking about the election. We’re talking about what must be done once these fascist elements are vanquished from power. We need a bolder set of solutions than what either major party has so far been willing to offer and a working-class movement ready to fight like hell for it. Trump didn't emerge from nowhere. The conditions that fueled MAGA authoritarianism were created by decades of radical neoliberal economic policies and a corrupt political system dominated by corporate interests. They slashed taxes on the super-rich, promising that the benefits would trickle down. They said giveaways to the corporate titans would make life more affordable for the rest of us. It was all bullshit. And when a bitter, betrayed populace searches for someone to blame, right-wing demagogues have little trouble finding scapegoats. People know when they're being lied to, but you won't hear any of this from the corporate media. Only independent journalism—powered and funded by people who believe in building a better world—can deliver truly trustworthy daily news. Our Fall Campaign is underway, and we need your help. To power our newsroom through the rest of the year, we need to raise $125,000 by midnight on October 31. So if you share our vision, please contribute whatever you can to sustain our work. |
Want to celebrate freedom from censorship and open access to information this week?
You might want to pick up a copy of Captain Underpants, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, or The Hunger Games. That's because they're on the list of 2013's most challenged books, and this is Banned Books Week, an annual "celebration of the freedom to read."
"Our most basic freedom in a democratic society is our first amendment right of the freedom to read," a statement from American Library Association (ALA) President Courtney Young reads. "Banned Books Week is an opportunity for all of us--community residents, librarians, authors and educators--to stand together protecting this fundamental right for everyone and for future generations. We can never take this precious right for granted."
The ALA joins the National Coalition Against Censorship, the American Society of Journalists and Authors and Comic Book Legal Defense Fund (CBLDF) among other groups, in sponsoring this year's event.
"This year we spotlight graphic novels because, despite their serious literary merit and popularity as a genre, they are often subject to censorship," stated Judith Platt, chair of the Banned Books Week National Committee.
Since 1982, the Banned Books Week website states, over 11,300 books in schools, libraries and bookstores have been challenged, with over 300 reported just last year. While a single challenge to remove a book over concerns of inappropriateness appears to affect one local institution, the CBLDF explains how the effects are, in fact, far-reaching.
In its Banned Books Week Handbook (pdf) the group states:
Censorship is about more than a single book. It is about the intellectual, cultural and political life of the community and the people in it.
Each time a book is removed, it reinforces the idea that books and ideas are off-limits if someone doesn't like them. It contributes to a culture where it's better to hide from controversial or difficult topics, than to acknowledge or discuss them. Restricting or banning a book hurts kids and education, because teachers and librarians may decide not to teach or buy another similar book, even if they feel it would be educational or enjoyable.
Events are taking place across the nation through September 27, including "virtual read-outs" of challenged books.
Want to celebrate freedom from censorship and open access to information this week?
You might want to pick up a copy of Captain Underpants, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, or The Hunger Games. That's because they're on the list of 2013's most challenged books, and this is Banned Books Week, an annual "celebration of the freedom to read."
"Our most basic freedom in a democratic society is our first amendment right of the freedom to read," a statement from American Library Association (ALA) President Courtney Young reads. "Banned Books Week is an opportunity for all of us--community residents, librarians, authors and educators--to stand together protecting this fundamental right for everyone and for future generations. We can never take this precious right for granted."
The ALA joins the National Coalition Against Censorship, the American Society of Journalists and Authors and Comic Book Legal Defense Fund (CBLDF) among other groups, in sponsoring this year's event.
"This year we spotlight graphic novels because, despite their serious literary merit and popularity as a genre, they are often subject to censorship," stated Judith Platt, chair of the Banned Books Week National Committee.
Since 1982, the Banned Books Week website states, over 11,300 books in schools, libraries and bookstores have been challenged, with over 300 reported just last year. While a single challenge to remove a book over concerns of inappropriateness appears to affect one local institution, the CBLDF explains how the effects are, in fact, far-reaching.
In its Banned Books Week Handbook (pdf) the group states:
Censorship is about more than a single book. It is about the intellectual, cultural and political life of the community and the people in it.
Each time a book is removed, it reinforces the idea that books and ideas are off-limits if someone doesn't like them. It contributes to a culture where it's better to hide from controversial or difficult topics, than to acknowledge or discuss them. Restricting or banning a book hurts kids and education, because teachers and librarians may decide not to teach or buy another similar book, even if they feel it would be educational or enjoyable.
Events are taking place across the nation through September 27, including "virtual read-outs" of challenged books.