Book bans increase by 28% in the first half of the school year

Book bans in US public schools increased by 28% in the first half of the 2022-2023 school year, according to a new report by PEN America. The report found that there were 1,477 individual book bans affecting 874 unique titles during this period.

The report also found that books with themes of race and racism were the most commonly banned, accounting for 30% of all book bans. Books with LGBTQ+ characters or themes were also frequently banned, accounting for 26% of all bans.

The increase in book bans is a worrying trend, and it is one that is being driven by a number of factors, including:

• The rise of right-wing extremism: Right-wing groups have been increasingly targeting books that they believe are “liberal” or “woke.” These groups often claim that these books are harmful to children, but they rarely provide any evidence to support their claims.
• The politicization of education: Education has become increasingly politicized in recent years, and this has led to an increase in book bans. Politicians and school board members are often under pressure from conservative constituents to ban books that they find objectionable.
• The lack of understanding about the importance of free speech: Many people do not understand the importance of free speech, and they believe that it is okay to ban books that they disagree with. However, book bans are a form of censorship, and they can have a devastating impact on students’ access to information and ideas.

The increase in book bans is a serious threat to students’ right to read and to learn. It is important for all of us to speak out against book bans and to defend the freedom to read.

What can you do to fight book bans?

There are a number of things that you can do to fight book bans, including:

• Educate yourself about the issue: The first step to fighting book bans is to educate yourself about the issue. Learn about the different types of book bans, why they are harmful, and what you can do to stop them.
• Speak out against book bans: When you hear about a book ban, speak out against it. You can do this by writing to your elected officials, contacting the school board, or attending a protest.
• Support organizations that are fighting book bans: There are a number of organizations that are working to fight book bans. You can support these organizations by donating money, volunteering your time, or spreading the word about their work.
• Read banned books: One of the best ways to fight book bans is to read banned books. This shows that you support the freedom to read and that you will not be silenced.

Book bans are a serious threat to our democracy. It is important for all of us to speak out against book bans and to defend the freedom to read.