Banned Book Week

It’s Time To Get Loud About Banned Books

This week, October 1 – 7, officially marks Banned Book Week with LeVar Burton acting as honorary chair this year.

Did you know that Banned Book Week has been celebrated since 1982? But it feels more important than ever that we protect people’s right to freedom speech and especially people’s access to books, especially in schools, where it feels like books are being ripped off of shelves.

I’ve been vocal in my stance regarding this issue. Books should not be banned. Full stop. Libraries should house books of all different stripes, beliefs and experiences. I value access to information and ideas. Even if they differ from my own. I do not believe in censorship. I do believe in intellectual freedom. Let’s face it, most of these bans target marginalized authors including people of color and people who identify as LGBTQIA+. And it needs to stop.

I made a pledge at the beginning of summer to purchase and place a brand-new copy of a frequently banned book in a free library each month, then post the book and library’s location online.

I’m ¼ of the way through this pledge and here’s what I’ve put out into the world thus far:

Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe (Santa Monica, California)

The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison (Princeton, New Jersey)

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas (San Francisco, California)

All Boys Aren’t Blue: A Memoir-Manifesto by George M. Johnson (Westchester, California)

Many fantastic organizations are hosting events online and in person this week. Here are a few to explore:

At PEN America, you can send a letter, read a report and take action. Tons of authors are participating in online panels and events. Click here to learn more.

“Let Freedom Read” is the American Library Association’s theme for this year. Get involved here.

Here are even more events you attend virtually.

Let’s celebrate the diversity of ideas in our country. Even (and especially) when they make us ask questions. Even (and especially) when they make us uncomfortable. It’s in that space that we grow and gain empathy and understanding.

Fighting banned books should be ongoing.

Have something special you are doing to mark banned book week? Feel free to share below!