Here’s Why Banning Books Won’t Accomplish What Some People Hope It Will
As an avid reader and writer, it deeply disappointments and saddens me to learn that book bannings are happening across different states and school districts in our country. I can’t help but think about the moment I fell in love with books as a young reader, and how exciting it was to sign up for my very first library card. Not only did I have access to a variety of works by many different authors, but I also had the chance to build a library of my own at home that was filled with different books, authors, and stories that allowed me to escape into different worlds during different times in my life when I found more comfort in books than in reality.
The joy of reading eventually led to my love of writing. And I would later learn that the two combined have continued to allow me to be a part of something much bigger than myself. And I can’t imagine how differently my passion for reading and writing would have been impacted if the books and rich literature I was exposed to was banned. Unfortunately, I fear that this current generation and future generations after will not have the chance to have some of the same experiences myself and others have been so fortunate to have when it comes to our reading choices.
It saddens me that incredible books like The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas are on banned lists because while topics like racial profiling and police brutality might make some people uncomfortable, minorities should still be able to see themselves in these kinds of stories. Young readers have a right to read about characters and challenges they can relate to and identify with, especially when these kinds of stories are happening in real life. Can the reality of what’s happened in these situations really be censored?
It’s equally disappointing to learn that there are bans on reading material by poets like Rupi Kaur, whose brilliant work Milk and Honey was banned in different states because of its mentions of sexual assault. There are many women, younger and older, who could benefit from having access to a safe space in the comfort of the pages written by Kaur, who could feel seen, heard, and less alone after recovering from sexual assaults and violence in their own lives. It’s dangerous to try to ban these kinds of stories because they need to be shared and told. There are communities of scared and hurting people who need access to this kind of work.
It appears that decisions about what books should and shouldn’t be banned are left up to individuals who desire to control much of what they don’t take the time to at least try to understand. This world is filled with so many kinds of people, from all different races, backgrounds, experiences, and walks of life, whose stories are important and relevant. And I wonder if the efforts to move forward with book bannings are about genuine concern about the kind of content young readers are exposed to, or are they merely an attempt to silence the voices and communities of diverse groups of writers, readers, and creatives who desire to uplift, amplify, and educate the minds of readers whose stories would likely never see the light of day if it wasn’t for writers who dared to write the kinds of stories others could see themselves in?
Book bannings may be a barrier in some ways. However, the banning of certain texts won’t stop everything. Book bannings won’t silence writers who will keep writing and sharing their stories. It won’t stop creatives from creating. It also won’t censor who people really are—no matter how much others try. Book banning also won’t put an end to bold and brave storytelling, because whether some people like it or not, the kind of stories that can and will need to be told will continue being told. And finally, book banning won’t stop young readers from being informed and educated about the challenges, controversies, and tough realities that continue in this world.
And as we all move through these uncertain times where book bannings are taking place, there is a level of comfort in knowing that there are still writers and stories in the world that are waiting to be shared and told for those who need them most.