Banned Books Week

I guess there will always be people out there who don’t like to read. Those you don’t want others to access information. Those people that don’t like free speech and education. Those that don’t understand the value of books.

But it is becoming increasingly disheartening to hear about the latest wave of attempts to ban books from public and school libraries.

If you haven’t been following the news lately, there have been strings of stories about the craziest attempts to ban books. From closing down entire libraries to forcing teachers to re-write entire lesson plans.

But, this week, September 18-24, is Banned Books Week.

And the news articles have been flying trying to bring attention to this movement to fight book bans. I couldn’t be happier! Independent booksellers are stocking books on the banned lists, Little Free Libraries are supplying books for their communities, and public libraries are highlighting the banned books. E-books and digital copies of banned books are being offered for free to anyone who wants them. There are people out there fighting to make sure anyone who wants a book, banned or not, can get it.

I’m so proud of the courageous and hardworking book lovers out there making sure books remain free. You should see some of the books that have been banned. For what? Reflecting the real world? Showing that sometimes things exist that you don’t agree with?

Books are magic. And they are real. There’s no point in hiding from the uncomfortable. In fact, we should lean into the uncomfortable to learn and grow. But, unfortunately, some don’t see this. On the bright side, there are more people out there that want books to remain accessible than want to ban what makes them scared. There’s hope.

Check out a few articles here from around the web to see how others are celebrating and fighting back:

Banned Books Week

The Guardian

The Washington Post

NPR

Little Free Libraries

WBUR

BBC

New York Times

I wasn’t going to post about Banned Books Week, but I changed my mind on the last day. You know, one week really isn’t enough. We’ve got to keep educating ourselves and our communities on what accessible and fair education is. We have to push back relentlessly against those who wish to silence voices and ban experiences.

This shouldn’t even be a fight. But it is what it is. We’re stuck wasting our time fighting against those who refuse to see sense. Who refuse to read the books they desperately want to burn. Who won’t understand the consequences of their bans.

Don’t forget about banned books when the week is over. Those who want them banned surely won’t.