Week 44 – Advocate For Our Freedom to Read from Robertson, David A. 52 Ways to Reconcile: How to Walk with Indigenous Peoples on the Path to Healing
In 2022, book banning reached a 21-year high. The number of calls to censor books skyrocketed from 619 in 2021 to 1,050 in 2022.
But the real concern goes beyond the numbers. The vast majority of these challenges target books written by and about marginalized communities, including Indigenous peoples. These are stories that share lived experiences, preserve cultural knowledge, and offer perspectives that are too often underrepresented.
When discussing book bans, there are a few key terms worth understanding. You may rarely see the word banned used directly. Instead, you might hear that students’ access to certain books has been restricted, that titles are under review and temporarily removed from library shelves, or that books are shadow-banned, soft-banned, or not recommended for use. While the terminology varies, the result can be the same: fewer opportunities for readers to access certain stories and perspectives.
It is worth asking who is making these decisions and why. Book censorship often happens when an individual or group tries to impose its own beliefs, values, or fears on others. This is particularly troubling when Indigenous literature by Indigenous authors is challenged by people who claim these books are inaccurate or do not properly represent Indigenous experiences, cultures, histories, and communities.
Imagine telling someone from a particular community that their stories and experiences are wrong simply because you, as an outsider, believe you know better. Whose voices are we choosing to trust? And whose voices are we silencing?
It is also worth considering whether books written by straight, white authors face the same level of scrutiny as books written by and about marginalized communities. Book challenges raise important questions about whose stories are valued, whose experiences are believed, and who gets to decide what others are allowed to read.
Books and stories are among the most powerful ways we learn about one another. They introduce us to experiences beyond our own, challenge our assumptions, and help us develop empathy and understanding. Yet, as book challenges continue to rise, access to these perspectives is increasingly at risk.
What can we do to protect our freedom to read?
1. Buy and read challenged books.
Support the authors whose work is being targeted. To paraphrase Stephen King, speak with your wallet. Purchasing these books supports their creators and sends a message that these stories deserve to be read and shared.
2. Create public pressure and community resistance.
When you hear about a school removing books from its shelves, speak up. Email the school or school division, call administrators, voice your concerns, or attend a school board meeting where these decisions are being discussed. Community members have a role to play in ensuring that decisions about access to literature are transparent and fair.
3. Hold schools and school boards accountable.
Ask whether your school division has an established policy for handling book challenges. A good policy should provide a clear and transparent process for reviewing concerns while protecting students’ access to diverse literature. Decisions about books should not be driven solely by the beliefs or objections of a small group of people.
Ironically, censorship often has it backward. Children and communities are not harmed simply by having access to books that explore different experiences, perspectives, and ideas. Harm can come from removing those books, silencing marginalized voices, and denying readers the opportunity to learn from experiences beyond their own.
So, my question for you this week is: What “banned” or “under review” book are you reading?
Jennifer Aldous
Want to read last weeks post, you can do so here.