The Surge in Book Bans: A Disproportionate Impact on Stories of Color and LGBTQ+ Experiences
A disturbing trend is sweeping across American schools: a sharp rise in book bans, disproportionately targeting narratives that feature people of color and LGBTQ+ individuals and themes. Recent data paints a stark picture of the escalating censorship, raising serious concerns about the inclusivity and intellectual freedom within educational institutions.
PEN America, a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting free expression through literature, has been meticulously tracking this concerning phenomenon. Their analysis of thousands of banned titles reveals a disturbing pattern: a significant percentage of these books highlight stories centered on marginalized communities. More than a third of the unique titles removed from shelves feature characters or address issues related to people of color. Furthermore, a quarter of the banned books include LGBTQ+ individuals or explore LGBTQ+ themes.
The implications of these bans are far-reaching. By removing these books, schools are effectively silencing diverse voices and limiting students’ exposure to a wide range of experiences and perspectives. This can have a detrimental impact on students’ understanding of the world, their ability to empathize with others, and their capacity for critical thinking.
PEN America’s findings go beyond simple representation. The organization notes that many of the commonly censored books delve into important and often sensitive topics, including race, sexuality, gender identity, substance abuse, suicide, depression, and other mental health challenges faced by young people. By shielding students from these realities, schools are potentially hindering their ability to navigate complex social issues and seek help when needed.
The censorship extends across various genres and reading levels, encompassing fiction, history, biography, memoir, and even picture books. This highlights the pervasive nature of the issue and the potential for its impact on students of all ages. The report reveals that a staggering 44% of the history and biography titles banned featured people of color. This suggests a deliberate effort to suppress historical narratives and perspectives from marginalized communities, potentially distorting students’ understanding of the past.
Examples of banned titles include impactful and acclaimed works such as "Fences," a Pulitzer Prize-winning play exploring themes of race and family, "Another Brooklyn" by Jacqueline Woodson, a novel that explores the complexities of growing up as a Black girl in 1970s Brooklyn, and "A is for Activist," a children’s picture book designed to introduce young readers to social justice concepts. The removal of these titles demonstrates a troubling willingness to censor diverse voices and perspectives, even in materials intended for young children.
Sabrina Baêta, senior manager for PEN America’s Freedom to Read program, eloquently articulated the inherent dangers of this censorship. "When we strip library shelves of books about particular groups, we defeat the purpose of a library collection that is supposed to reflect the lives of all people. The damaging consequences to young people are real."
Fueling this surge in book bans is a growing movement often spearheaded by parent groups who claim they are advocating for "parents’ rights." One prominent group, Moms For Liberty, has emerged as a powerful force in this movement, focusing particularly on restricting access to books with sexual content. This group has publicly stated that "age appropriate is not banning," and argues that schools have a responsibility to keep "obscene and pornographic materials" out of the hands of children.
However, critics argue that these claims are often used as a pretext to censor books that explore themes related to race, sexuality, and gender identity, even when those books are not sexually explicit or age-inappropriate. PEN America’s analysis reveals that 31% of banned titles contain references to sexual experiences but with minimal detail. Another 13% describe sexual experiences more explicitly. The criteria for determining what is considered "obscene" or "pornographic" are often vague and subjective, leading to the removal of books that are simply deemed to be "inappropriate" by certain individuals or groups.
Further complicating the situation are legislative actions in various states. A recent PEN America report identifies Florida as the state with the most book bans during the 2023-2024 school year, followed by Iowa. Laws in these states are used to censor certain books in public schools, often targeting titles that include sexual content, even if it is not pornographic.
In Florida, the implications are particularly severe. Teachers can face felony charges for possessing and distributing "inappropriate" books. The definition of "inappropriate" remains ambiguous, leading to a chilling effect on educators who may be hesitant to include books that address sensitive topics. Mentions of race, LGBTQ+ individuals or relationships, and sexual violence in any context have all fallen under this broad and subjective definition.
The numbers speak volumes about the scale of this crisis. Book bans nearly tripled during the 2023-2024 school year, with more than 10,000 books banned in public schools, according to PEN America. This significant spike reflects a renewed effort since 2021 to ban or restrict books in the U.S.
PEN America tracks bans through various channels, including school board minutes, local news stories, and reports from organizational partners across the country. It is important to note that PEN America only documents book challenges that result in bans, meaning that the actual number of challenges may be even higher.
The increasing censorship of books in schools represents a serious threat to intellectual freedom and the education of young people. By disproportionately targeting stories that feature people of color and LGBTQ+ individuals, these bans are effectively silencing diverse voices and limiting students’ access to a wide range of perspectives. This trend demands immediate attention and a concerted effort to protect the freedom to read and ensure that all students have access to a comprehensive and inclusive education. The future of a well-informed and empathetic citizenry hinges on the ability to engage with a multitude of ideas and experiences, and the current wave of book bans directly undermines this vital principle.
