Warning: There is mention of child sexual abuse in the “Context” section.
As book bans and challenges continue to rise, it is even more important to understand why there has been such a significant increase and its implications. It’s what I want to focus on during this Banned Book Week, compared to previous years where I discuss different banned books and the reasons why they were banned.
However, if you still love to learn more about the banned books you can read during this week (or at least purchase or check out from the library to support the authors), I’ll have my Top Ten Tuesday post coming out tomorrow, and you can check out my other banned books week posts to find something to read. (:
(Note: I’m an American, so these posts will purely be focusing on the United States, although if you have noticed a similar pattern in your own country, I’d love to hear more about your perspective).
Context
Now, there are three things that inspired this post and my desire to discuss the effects of book challenges/banning. The first is the following comment on my first Banned Books Week post I published yesterday:
I didn’t include the username here, as I don’t think there’s any need to go after this specific person, especially as this is a widespread belief that goes way beyond one WordPress user.
The second thing is a Twitter post (I refuse to call it X), that describes how Banned Books Week should be focusing on how the current rise of banning and challenging books showcases the current climate of anti-LGBTQIA+ and ideologies growing across the country. Unfortunately, I can’t find the post, and I didn’t bookmark it like I thought I did.
The third thing is another Twitter post, this time about the book, It’s Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex, Gender, and Sexual Health by Robie H. Harris and Michael Emberley. In an article from Book Riot, Harris tells the story of how the book helped a child be able to tell their mom that their father was sexually abusing them.
I think the following quote specifically best sums up why it’s vital for children to have access to age-appropriate information in terms of sex education:
“It [book challenges and bans in relation to sex education books] stops the most vulnerable people in our society from accessing the tools and language that can help them. It helps to shield and hide abusers. It communicates to children suffering from abuse that they are shameful, and that it’s not safe or polite to speak out about.”
From Book Riot’s “Sex Ed Books DOn’t ‘GRoom’ Kids And Teens. They Protect them”
What is the point of these conversations?
When it comes to discussions such as race or the LGBTQIA+ community, people seem to think sheltering kids from these topics protects them until the adults deem them “ready.” And the thing is, no matter how hard a parent might try, children will meet someone who is gay, or learn about racism, one way or another.
All these book challenges and bans do is take away a child’s choice to learn about the world around them from age-appropriate resources.
Not telling students about the history of the United States doesn’t mean that this country wasn’t built on slavery and the genocide of indigenous people. Not allowing students to learn about other people and cultures does not stop them from existing. (Looking at you, Florida).
What it does is keep other children who may be Black or Asian, or Muslim, or Jewish from seeing characters who represent them. It continues to build ignorance and intolerance for other people simply because they aren’t like them.
Banning books that feature LGBTQIA+ characters because you associate the community with only being sexual does not mean the LGBTQIA+ community is going away. It also won’t stop your child from possibly realizing they are a part of the community one way or another. It also doesn’t mean that these stories are “pornographic” because the story features LGBTQIA+ characters.
Once again, all it does is keep children from these communities from being seen and represented. It keeps them from learning more about themselves and coming to love and accept who they are.
In the end, these book challenges and bans do more to hurt children, it takes away their ability to choose, to learn, to grow.
I’ve had similar discussions in a previous post, so if you want to hear me dive into this a bit further, you can check that out as well.
During the pursuit of my MS at NYU, one of the clubs I was a part of (OWLS) hosted a speaker event with Renee DiPilato, the director of libraries for Sarasota County Government. We had a short write-up about the event, which also links to helpful resources you’re more than welcome to check out here.
Otherwise, I will see you in the next post!
-Erin 🎃
Eclectic Erin 