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Ayad Akhtar’s Remarks at the 2022 PEN America Literary Gala
"Yes, speaking is at the root of it all, but we cannot only be speakers. We must be those listening, as well." More
Virginia Case Seeking Restraining Order on Two Books is a ‘Worrying Escalation’ in Spreading Censorship
“This lawsuit is a worrying escalation in the effort to censor and restrict access to literature that PEN America has been tracking for the last year. It is, of… More
PEN America CEO to U.S. House Panel: Book Bans and Educational Gag Orders are ‘an Orchestrated Effort to Polarize, Intimidate, and Restrict Flow of Ideas’
Nossel, a former diplomat and veteran human rights advocate, warned that these disturbing trends at home tarnish America’s global image and undermine the effort to counter rising authoritarianism. “As… More
The PEN Ten: An Interview with Vauhini Vara
Persist, even when it doesn’t feel like it’s working. More
PEN America Austin Presents “Who is Afraid of Black Books?”: A Conversation and Reading with Authors ZZ Packer and Danez Smith
Moderated by Jennifer M. Wilks and featuring contributors to The 1619 Project, acclaimed author ZZ Packer and award-winning poet Danez Smith, this conversation will reflect on the recent book… More
PEN America Tulsa Presents a Public Conversation with Pulitzer Prize-Winning Journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones on May 31
Nikole Hannah-Jones is an award-winning investigative reporter who covers civil rights and racial injustice for The New York Times Magazine. Nikole got hooked on journalism when she joined her… More
Can the Written Word Make a Difference, as Global Threats Mount?
Writers Reflect on Peril at PEN America’s Emergency Congress of Writers By Suzanne Trimel Can the power of the written word meaningfully bring about change in a world threatened by… More
Removing Tenure and Faculty Status for Librarians at Texas A&M University Would Be “Fundamentally Misguided”
"Texas is at the epicenter of a nationwide book banning frenzy, and the state's lieutenant governor has made no secret of his political attacks on higher education. Given their… More
Disciplinary Action Against Florida Student Jack Petocz for ‘Don’t Say Gay’ Protests Called “Unconscionable”
"By going back on their word and imposing a red mark on Jack Petocz's disciplinary record, the Flagler Palm Coast High School administration appears bent on retaliating against him… More
Mass Killings in Buffalo, N.Y. Underscore the Dangers of Disinformation and Conspiracy Theories That Promote Hate and Bigotry
"PEN America mourns the horrific loss of life in Buffalo, New York on Saturday and condemns this hateful, racist act of terror against the Black community. This devastating shooting… More