Defending Diverse Voices: Four Best-Selling Authors Talk Banned Books
"Ms. Classroom wants to hear from educators and students being impacted by legislation attacking public education, higher education, gender, race and sexuality studies, activism and social justice in education, and diversity, equity and inclusion programs. Cue: a new series from Ms., ‘Banned! Voices from the Classroom.’ Submit pitches and/or op-eds and reflections (between 500-800 words) to Ms. contributing editor Aviva Dove-Viebahn at adove-viebahn@msmagazine.com. Posts will be accepted on a rolling basis."
"Black literature has long been a target of censorship efforts in America, with coordinated efforts spanning back to at least the Harlem Renaissance. However, the current mania infecting anti-Critical Race Theory adherents has created a new wave of book bannings targeting Black authors, characters, and perspectives.
“Black writers have been feared for precisely their ability to highlight the injustices of American society with clarity, lyricism, and urgency.” – ACLU Massachusetts
Write about a banned book and win a $1000 scholarship from Uncensored.org
UNCENSORED: BLACK HISTORY MONTH HONOR BLACK HISTORY BY READING A BANNED BOOK FROM MARLEY DIAS’ #1000BLACKGIRLBOOKS
"In the 2022-2023 school year alone, there have been 3,362 instances where books were banned or challenged in school libraries and classrooms, according to PEN America. 41% of banned books featured protagonists or prominent secondary characters that were people of color." Scholarship specifics on the right hand side of article. Deadline: February 29, 2024." See their list of banned books.
Build or Support a Little Free(dom) Library
"The nonprofit Visit Philadelphia, “the region’s official leisure tourism marketing agency,” has joined forces with Little Free Library to bring locals and tourists to the Little Free(dom) Library to celebrate Black History Month. According to Penn America, Black authors have been at a disadvantage when it comes to reaching a wide range of readers since over 30 states have removed certain books penned by Black authors. To help keep Black history and storytellers alive, the Little Free(dom) Library has made these forbidden books available in 13 locations throughout Philadelphia until Feb. 28. In addition, 1,500 free books will be given away at one of the pop-up book stands."
Unite Against Book Bans organization.
Book Bans: An Act of Policy Violence Promoting Anti-Blackness By Dr. Phelton Moss / NAACP
"What is more violent, as evidenced by the books they are banning, they choose to censor the teaching of the factually accurate history of Black people. These violent acts are rooted in an un-yielding legacy of racism, prejudice, oppression, and anti-blackness."
Research & Reports on book bannings. Page includes a TAKE ACTION button.
PEN America tracks all book bans in libraries and classrooms across the U.S. in our Index of School Book Bans, updated for the 2022-2023 school year. What is PEN Ameica? "PEN America stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect free expression in the United States and worldwide. We champion the freedom to write, recognizing the power of the word to transform the world. Our mission is to unite writers and their allies to celebrate creative expression and defend the liberties that make it possible.
How African-American Museums Are Navigating Book Bans
"According to Vedet Coleman-Robinson, executive director of the Association of African American Museums (AAAM), cultural institutions are stepping in to fill the gaps with uncensored and community-oriented programming."
10 Banned Black Books You Should Be Reading.Essence Magazine.
More than 1,600 books were banned in 138 school districts across 32 states between 2021 and 2022, according to a report by PEN America. The vast majority of challenged and banned books feature BIPOC or LGBTQ+ characters, discuss gender, sexuality, and race in America, or are written by Black and POC authors.
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