They’re coming for your right to bear books.
The American Library Association annual marks Banned Books Week, which this year runs through Saturday. It is not a celebration of the bans but a celebration of everyone’s right to read whatever they want and how this right continues to prevail despite attempts to snuff it.
Book bannings have been around for centuries. Emperor Quin Shi Huang ordered all books in China burned in 213 B.C., fearing history would put his legitimacy as ruler into question, according to History of Information. In 35 A.D., Roman emperor Caligula had Homer’s “The Odyssey” burned as he disagreed with the Greek ideals of freedom, according to Columbia University.
In the United States, the first known book ban was in 1637, when the “New English Canaan” by Thomas Morton was banned due to its criticism of Puritan hierarchy and customs, according to Harvard University. As the Puritans largely controlled the Massachusetts colonial government, Morton’s book wasn’t received too well by those in power.
Gathering from these examples, one driving force behind bans is a desire to control. When it comes to wanting a book off the shelves of a Brazoria County public library, anyone can file a challenge to pull the material.
“Anyone with a valid Brazoria County Library System library card can submit a materials reconsideration form,” said Sarah Box, branch manager at the Clute Public Library.
To prevent falling prey to widespread movements against certain books organized by outsiders, Brazoria County has a very thorough process for evaluating challenges. The initial challenge form, which must be submitted in person, initiates the process. A small committee of library staff is formed from across the county branches, mixing specializations, seniority and opinion to vote on what, if any, action should be taken.
“The committee might decide to move the book to a different section or deny the request entirely,” Box said. “It’s all about finding a balance between allowing access to material and considering community concerns.”
If the initial complainant is unhappy with the verdict, they can appeal, and the title would be evaluated again on a higher level.
Some people might assume a challenged book is the same as a banned book, but they are not.
“A banned book is one that has been removed from libraries or schools in certain places, while a challenged book is one that’s on its way to being banned,” Box said. “You can challenge any book for any reason, but that doesn’t mean it will necessarily be banned.”
Challenges often are brought by concerned parents or community members who believe a book’s content is inappropriate for certain age groups or conflicts with their personal values. Books that explore LGBTQ+ themes, mention bodily functions or depict witchcraft are common targets. This year, seven of the top 10 most challenged titles deal with LGBTQ+ themes, according to the American Library Association.
Some classic books are among those that have been challenged through the year. “Charlotte’s Web” has faced challenges by people who see the talking animals as blasphemous. The same complaint has been made about “The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe,” “Where the Wild Things Are” and “Winnie the Pooh.” Witchcraft is cited in challenges to the Harry Potter series, and the environmental themes in “The Lorax” has put Dr. Seuss’ work in the crosshairs.
George Orwell’s “1984” often makes the list for its criticism of totalitarian governments and censorship. “Fahrenheit 451” by Ray Bradbury meets a similar fate. When challenging the dystopian fiction about a society where the government burns all books to quell complex thought and discontent, a reason often cited is its opposition to government suppression of speech and censorship of material.
“The freedom to read is a very important freedom that we have,” said youth specialist Katherine Luce at Clute Public Library. “Anytime we try to infringe on that, it’s never going to end up having a good outcome.”
Luce is a mother herself, delighted at the experience of raising children of her own. She believes it is her responsibility as a parent to be aware of the media her children consume and to be ready to answer the questions they have, she said. However, everyone’s parenting style is different, and the opinions on what is age-appropriate varies widely from family to family.
“One group of people deciding what the rest of us can read is a very slippery slope,” Box said. “If you don’t want to read it, then don’t, but don’t take away someone else’s choice.”
Although Brazoria County hasn’t become a hotbed for frequent challenges, the same cannot be said for the rest of the state. Texas has always been first when it comes to banning books; 10 years ago, it had more than double the number of challenged titles as the No. 2 state, clocking in at 64. In 2023, Texas had 1,470 challenged titles resulting in 49 attempts to restrict access. Florida’s had far more challenged at 2,672 challenges, but only 33 ended up restricted, according to the ALA.
When looking at bans within school districts, they are relatively on par with those at the county branch level, according to Box and Luce. In schools, parents can take their complaints to principals or the school board. Laws such as Texas House Bill 900, which went into effect a year ago, requires books to be barred from purchase and/or removed from shelves if they fail its rating standards.
On a collegiate level, fights for bans are less frequent. If anything, Banned Book Week can be an introduction to new material.
Brazosport College hosts a week-long recognition of Banned Books Week, featuring activities such as art projects and scavenger hunts for students to engage with, all created by library Administrative Office Specialist Nancy Whitworth.
“I think it brings a lot of awareness that people may be sheltered from growing up,” Whitworth said of Banned Books Week. “The older you get, the more space you have to kind of explore more on your own.”
Whitworth had never heard of Banned Books Week until she came to work at Brazosport College, she said. Upon diving into the program, the number of children’s books, such as “Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?” troubled her. Looking further at the reasoning, the sentiment grew.
“Banned books aren’t bad,” Whitworth said. “If I think you have a specific view on something, I think maybe check it out, read it and have an open mind.”
Although the right to not read a title or prevent one’s child from reading a title is a parent’s right, the right to read a book should be a personal decision, Whitworth said.
Additionally, book bans in a county library or in a school district don’t accomplish as much as challengers would hope. Private citizens are still free to purchase and circulate books within the county at their will.
“When a book gets banned, it gets put on a list, and then people want it more,” Luce said. “It’s like it becomes immortalized because someone tried to take it away. We can’t let one group’s beliefs dictate what everyone else can read. It’s about freedom, and that’s something worth fighting for.”
If a regular resident would like to participate in this year’s celebration, or if a parent would like to explore the titles with their children, many of Brazoria County’s library branches have a display of frequently challenged titles available. Readers of all ages are invited to paint a banned book brick at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at the Clute branch.
This post was originally published on here
