Silenced Stories: How Book Bans Threaten the Next Generation

By Jenna Birdwell

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Do any of these titles sound familiar to you? The Bluest Eye and Beloved by the cherished Toni  Morrison? The hilarious coming of age story The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky? Or what about the poetic Maya Angelou’s I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings?  

I highlight these timeless classics because many people are denied the opportunity to read them. These works, along with countless others, are frequently targeted by critics who deem their content unsuitable for public shelves across the country.

I don’t know about you, but I specifically remember reading I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings in school because its content is so rich with topics that no worksheet or textbook could possibly  describe. Angelou’s autobiographical fiction features characters that may seem to be used to enhance the story, but they spawned from her own experiences.  

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings has appeared on the American Library Associations (ALA) yearly report of the most challenged books in the U.S. a total of three times. 

The critics who are wanting to censor certain books are usually concerned parents and conservative political movements and the most sought-after books are ones with politics, morality or religion, better known as the three topics you should never talk about at the dinner  table. 

At my college, the Queer Resource Center held their final event to close out Queer History  Month. It piqued my interest because attendees were encouraged to come and create their own  child friendly books that had a focus on queer themes.

I spoke with Vanya Hollis, a high school teacher-librarian in Los Angeles, who shed light on the history of book bans. Dedicated to ensuring their students have access to a wide range of literature, Hollis expressed concern that censorship in libraries could have a “detrimental” impact.

“Frankly, a lot of young people don't feel accepted in their home environment,” said Hollis. “So, when they go to school or the public library, being able to see themselves reflected, that gives them sort of the sense of hope and that they can feel resilient to get through childhood and adolescence.” 

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The ALA releases a report every year outlining the most challenged books in the U.S. In 2023,  the organization reported that 70 percent of those books faced challenges over their LGBTQ  content. 

California has more liberal politics than other states, so there isn’t really much book-ban-talk. In fact, Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill that prohibited public libraries and schools from  removing books off the shelves in 2023.  

This is certainly not the case for other states.  

During the 2023-2024 school year, PEN America reported 10,046 instances of book bans across 29 states and 220 school districts. 

If it weren’t so widely condemned today, I wouldn’t be surprised if people reverted to stacking piles of books and setting them ablaze. Historically, book burnings were public spectacles, drawing crowds in the same way a village might gather to witness the punishment of a so-called witch.

With the 2024 election now behind us, book bans have emerged as a heated topic of debate. While Donald Trump has yet to take executive action, it’s alarming to know that the newly elected president has signaled censorship in schools as a key priority for their term.

During campaign season, it’s common for candidates to make sweeping promises, many of which never materialize. However, the concern here is not just political rhetoric; it’s about safeguarding the literature that has profoundly shaped our understanding of the world.