Stop banning books, America

Banning books about Black and LGBTQ people is harming American youths.

Opinion by Kevin Khachatryan, Staff Writer

Brandon Elias, first-year media arts major poses for a photo reading “Roe v. Wade: The Abortion Rights Controversy in American History.” This is one of many books that has been banned across the country. (Kai Nielsen-Snell | Valley Star)

School districts in the United States banned more than 1,600 race-related and LGBTQ books in one year with the number steadily increasing. As if there were not enough challenges within the country, parents think removing books that address racism will protect children.

Across the nation, groups of white conservatives demanded that books be locked up or taken off of shelves entirely. Between July 2021 and June 2022, books were banned 2,352 times in public schools across the country. Of the banned books, 41 percent include LGBTQ themes, a whopping 40 percent include people of color, and 21 percent issue race and racism. For many outspoken parents, books like “Gender Queer” by Maia Kobabe and “The Hate U Give” by Angie Thomas are titles that can potentially damage children due to sexually explicit images, profanity and anti-police messages. In a country as diverse as the U.S., young adults should be exposed to books that explore American culture from all perspectives and walks of life.

“Challenges to books, specifically books by non white male authors are happening at the highest rates we’ve ever seen,” Jonathan Friedman, director of PEN America’s Free Expression Program, said in a news release.

There are several reasons why books may be banned from schools and libraries. Last year, dozens of Republican state lawmakers introduced bills that would ban content they deemed offensive in schools.

The American Library Association keeps a record of popular books that have been banned. The Harry Potter series was on the top 10 most frequently banned books list in 2019.

When J.K. Rowling introduced readers to the shy orphan boy destined to become the wizard who saves the world; many parents and teachers did not want this book in their schools or libraries. The series made the list of the top 100 most challenged books of the decade from 1990-99 for reasons including the glorification of witchcraft, tones of death and the increasing dark tone in the later books. The main reasons for banning — glorification of witchcraft — came directly out of religious fundamentalism.

While blacklisting certain titles has been a historical precedent in religion, the practice is now spilling over to political ideologies. This led to a book banning boom, especially for the LGBTQ literature graphic novels and sexually explicit books, which have become more popular in recent years.

It is obvious that children should not read books like this at a young age, but an age limit can be put in place for books that contain violent content or offensive language.

It is infuriating for students because school is the very place where they should be engaged in these critical thinking challenges, and lawmakers are actively making sure these opportunities are stripped.

Reading is supposed to help expand ideas and thoughts, not coincide with confirmation bias. Books are meant to inspire and create a space for debate, but too many people would rather censor the freedom of thought.

The sad reality of this is that censorship and book banning will definitely work because it will further isolate people from one another, and entrench into ideological dogmas.