One thing that deeply bothers me is book banning, I find censorship deeply dystopian, especially, because of a recurring theme that I found in all the books being challenged in our community and that’s anytime when the main character is queer or just a minority. This is disappointing, but not surprising, due to the fact that there have been many organizations like Moms for liberty and the Heritage foundation who are known for challenging books if it doesn’t fit their view of what kids can handle.
Ten books have been consistently brought to all schools’ attention to be banned. Eight out of the Ten books are currently in our C miltion wight library. These are the reasons they are considered banned.
- Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe (in our library)
Challenged for: LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit
- All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson (in our library)
Challenged for: LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit
- This Book Is Gay by Juno Dawson (not in our library)
Challenged for: LGBTQIA+ content, sex education, claimed to be sexually explicit
- 4. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky (in our library)
Challenged for: claimed to be sexually explicit, LGBTQIA+ content, rape, drugs, profanity
- Flamer by Mike Curato (in our library)
Challenged for: LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit
- The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison (in our library)
Challenged for: rape, incest, claimed to be sexually explicit, EDI content
7/8. (tie) Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews (not in our library.)
Challenged for: claimed to be sexually explicit, profanity
7/8. (tie) Tricks by Ellen Hopkins (in our library)
Challenged for: claimed to be sexually explicit, drugs, rape, LGBTQIA+ content
- Let’s Talk About It: The Teen’s Guide to Sex, Relationships, and Being a Human by Erika Moen and Matthew Nolan (in our library)
Challenged for: claimed to be sexually explicit, sex education, LGBTQIA+ content
- Sold by Patricia McCormick (in our library)
Challenged for: claimed to be sexually explicit, rape.
There is a recurring theme here of wanting to keep children from experiencing anything that is not straight, white, and sanitized. I think that we should put absolutely no stock in what these people say. I can think of nothing but positive reasons to expose your children to things that they wouldn’t see in the day-to-day world. It builds tolerance. I know kids that didn’t even know what gay people were until the 6th grade because their parents did not let them read anything that was not white and Christian. Kids knowing more about the world they live in makes them smarter and this knowledge can be used later in life. So, I firmly suggest we ignore these attempts at censorship.
