The Surge in Book Bans Across the United States
In recent years, there has been a significant rise in book bans across the United States, driven by conservative groups. These attempts to remove books dealing with racial issues or LGBTQ+ topics have multiplied, raising concerns among publishers and freedom of expression advocates at the Frankfurt Book Fair.
The Rapid Increase in Book Challenges
According to the American Library Association (ALA), only about 300 titles faced challenges in 2020. By 2023, this number surpassed 9,000, as reported by the ALA, which has tracked such cases since 1990.
“Hate Manifesting in Culture”
Jon Yaged, CEO of Macmillan Publishers, whose titles have been challenged in the U.S., stated to AFP that this is “an ideological mission by right-wing individuals.” Yaged described it as “the latest instance of hate manifesting in culture” during the world’s largest book fair in Frankfurt.
Global Trend of Book Bans and Censorship
PEN International, a global writers’ association, reported a global trend of book bans and censorship, with a “dramatic increase” in recent times from Afghanistan to Russia.
Conservative Educational Push in the U.S.
For years, American conservatives have battled what they perceive as a progressive agenda in education, now backed by President Donald Trump’s administration. The ALA cites common reasons for challenging books in 2024: alleged obscenity in books for minors, LGBTQ+ characters or themes, and sensitive topics like race.
Targeted Titles
Some of the most attacked titles include “Not All Boys Are Blue,” George M. Johnson’s essay collection about growing up as a gay African American man in the U.S., “Beloved” by Toni Morrison, which features sexual abuse and racial themes, and “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” by Stephen Chbosky, which includes teen drug use and sex.
Diverse Efforts to Restrict Access
Conservative activists and local politicians, especially in Republican-led states, often pressure school boards to ban books. However, these efforts are taking various forms, according to PEN’s U.S. branch. For example, some states have passed laws restricting access to certain titles, politicians have issued lists of explicit content books, and several school districts have released “do not purchase” lists for specific works.
Florida at the Epicenter
According to PEN, Florida documented the most book restrictions in schools last year. Governor Ron DeSantis, a Republican, promotes conservative educational policies that include banning discussions about sexuality and gender identity in classrooms.
Protecting Young Readers
Those advocating for restricted access typically argue they aim to safeguard young readers. The conservative group Moms for Liberty recently claimed that challenging the placement of allegedly obscene materials in school libraries is “not censorship or a ban,” but rather an effort to prevent minors from exposure to inappropriate content.
Legal Battles and Community Resistance
Publishers like Macmillan, Penguin Random House, and HarperCollins, along with authors and free speech defense groups, have initiated legal actions against these restrictions with some success. Community members, from parents to authors and students, have also fought against book bans in various school districts.
Growing Adversity for Diverse Literature
American-Spanish author Lawrence Schimel has noticed a worsening climate for works representing minority groups, not just in the U.S., but globally. His books featuring children with same-sex parents have faced issues in Russia and Hungary over the past few years.
Persistence in the Face of Challenges
Despite escalating challenges, Yaged from Macmillan Publishers remains resolute: “As long as there are books, there will be people trying to ban them,” he said. “And they haven’t won as long as we keep fighting.”
Key Questions and Answers
- What is causing the rise in book bans in the U.S.? The increase is largely attributed to conservative groups challenging books dealing with racial issues or LGBTQ+ topics.
- What are the common reasons for challenging books in 2024? The ALA reports that alleged obscenity in books for minors, LGBTQ+ characters or themes, and sensitive topics like race are the most common reasons.
- Which books have faced the most challenges? Titles such as “Not All Boys Are Blue,” “Beloved” by Toni Morrison, and “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” have been frequently challenged.
- How are conservative groups attempting to restrict access to books? Through legislative actions, politician-issued explicit content lists, and school district “do not purchase” lists.
- What is the role of publishers and authors in this situation? Publishers and authors have engaged in legal battles against book restrictions and joined community members in fighting against these bans.
- How is this issue affecting diverse literature globally? Authors like Lawrence Schimel have observed a worsening climate for works representing minority groups, with challenges even in countries like Russia and Hungia.
