(NEW YORK)— An online discussion on the national surge of book bans and their link to structural racism will take place Sun., Oct. 27, featuring author, historian and antiracism scholar Dr. Ibram X. Kendi in conversation with Jamil Smith, The Emancipator’s editor-in-chief. Educators and advocates will also offer strategies to fight book bans.
PEN America, the free expression organization, and the Banned Book Week Coalition are partnering in the free virtual event scheduled for 5-6 pm ET. For more details and to register in advance go to this link.
Smith and Kendi will examine the connections between book banning, racism, and the deliberate suppression of diverse stories, voices, and perspectives. Smith will later host a panel discussion with experts on the frontlines fighting against book banning across the country to offer strategies and solutions that will help people confront and combat censorship in their own communities.
The panel will feature Claire Bennett, a parent advocate and a mentor to all nine chapters of the Diversity Awareness Youth Literacy Organization (DAYLO); Becky Calzada, a librarian and a co-founding member of Texas #FReadom Fighters; Julia Garnett, a student activist and the youth honorary chair of the 2024 Banned Books Week; and Patricia A. Jackson, an educator and a co-advisor of the Panther Anti-Racist Union (PARU).
“Book bans aim to suppress critical thinking, suppress the factual record, suppress the historical record, suppress a multiplicity of experiences and perspectives, and suppress our recognition of racism, sexism, homophobia, and other forms of bigotry,” Kendi said. “By challenging these bans, we’re not just defending books—we’re defending against well-funded and well-organized efforts to control our minds. Censorship is about control. I am not about to let anyone control my mind or yours.”
PEN America’s documentation of book bans since 2021 shows books about race, racism, and Black history and books featuring characters of color have been among the most targeted in public school libraries and classrooms. Later this month, PEN America will release updated figures on book bans for the 2023-2024 school year.
About PEN America
PEN America stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect free expression in the United States and worldwide. We champion the freedom to write, recognizing the power of the word to transform the world. Our mission is to unite writers and their allies to celebrate creative expression and defend the liberties that make it possible. Learn more at pen.org.
About The Emancipator
The Emancipator is the nation’s only newsroom dedicated to confronting racism through bold, unapologetic journalism. We are the go-to publication for anyone who wants to understand structural racism, how it impacts us all, and what can be done about it. From health disparities and the wealth gap to climate justice and police violence, The Emancipator grapples with the biggest racial justice issues of our time. Leveraging diverse media formats — including in-depth reporting, video content, social media engagement, and live events — The Emancipator sets the standard for racial justice reporting in America.
About the Banned Books Week Coalition
The Banned Books Week Coalition is an international alliance of diverse organizations joined by a commitment to increase awareness of the annual celebration of the freedom to read. The Coalition seeks to engage various communities and inspire participation in Banned Books Week through education, advocacy, and the creation of programming about the problem of book censorship.
The coalition includes American Booksellers for Free Expression, American Library Association, Amnesty International USA, Association of University Presses, Banned Books Week Sweden, Children’s Book Council, Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, Freedom to Read Foundation, Little Free Library, National Book Foundation, National Coalition Against Censorship, National Council of Teachers of English, PEN America, People for the American Way Foundation, PFLAG National. Contributors include American Society of Journalists and Authors, Authors Guild, Index on Censorship, GLAAD, and Project Censored. Banned Books Week receives generous support from Penguin Random House.
Learn more at www.BannedBooksWeek.org.
Contact: Suzanne Trimel, [email protected], 201-247-5057