Across the United States, divisive book bans and censorious threats have taken hold in schools, academia, and the public square, particularly in regards to books that center racism, history, and diversity. This has raised questions: Who is allowed to be heard? Who decides? This year, as we celebrate Banned Books Week, PEN America uplifts the books, authors, teachers, and writers who insist on telling stories and examining history with truth, honesty, and complexity.
In an effort to unpack these current challenges, PEN America is hosting a series of virtual and in-person events. These events will offer a clear-eyed view of the current assaults on the freedom to express, the freedom to read, and the freedom to learn.
Events
Gender Identity, Sexuality, and Free Expression in Alabama
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm CT
Digital Event
Presented in partnership with the ACLU of Alabama
A Conversation with Chris Tomlinson and Ashley Hope Pérez
7:00 pm – 8:00 pm CT
The Carpenter Hotel
Austin, TX
A Conversation with Bryan Burrough and Jim Schutze
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm CT
Bishop Arts Theatre
Dallas, TX
A Conversation with Jewell Parker Rhodes and Kelly McWilliams
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm ET
Digital Event
History, Racism, and Education in Oklahoma
7:00 pm – 8:00 pm CT
Digital Event
Erasure of Black Thought: A Conversation about Critical Race Theory with Black Academics and Writers
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm ET
Digital Event
Celebrating Banned Books Week at Scuppernong Books
11:00 am – 4:00 pm ET
Scuppernong Books
Greensboro, NC
Further Reading
A Texas Book Ban is an Attack on the Freedom to Learn
Months after the Leander Independent School District banned books and graphic novels from its secondary school curriculum, the district released decisions on an additional set of titles.
Protecting the Freedom to Learn: A Banned Books Week Reading List
In this reading list, we’ve chosen to spotlight 10 of the 19 books slated for removal or suspension in the Leander Independent School District in Texas.
Carry Banned Books in this Tote
Buy a limited edition Banned Books Week tote bag today, and support PEN America’s continued work advocating on behalf of authors, educators, and the freedom to learn.
Additional Events
Banned Books Virtual Readout
September 27, 2021
4:00 pm – 5:15 pm PT
Digital Event
The University Library and the CSUN Department of Journalism host the Ninth Annual Banned Books Readout, featuring guest speaker James Tager, research director at PEN America, who will speak on “Book Banning in America’s Schools, Libraries and Prisons.”
Shining the Light: Journalism in Times of Tyranny
September 30, 2021
7:00 pm – 8:15 pm ET
Digital Event
In recognition of Banned Books Week, panelists will describe the situation for journalists in Nicaragua, Myanmar, Afghanistan, and Belarus. Speakers include Polina Sadovskaya, Eurasia program director at PEN America.