Wicked Problem

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Wicked Problem

The Banning of books

Carley Ballou, Abby Coleman, & Stefanie McHorney-Enokian

Banning Through History

2000s

1800s

1600s

Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling

Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe

New English Canaan by Thomas Morton

1700s

1900s

2020s

Candide by Voltaire

The Catcher in the Ryeby JD Salinger

Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe

defamatory to minorities

WHY?

imprisonment

Why these books? What do they have in common?

profane use of God's name

will corrupt the minds of young people

offensive language

contains profanity and racial slurs

Obscene

bestiality, bizarre violence, and torture

sexually explicit

descriptions of drug abuse, sexually explicit conduct, and torture

unsuited to any age group

spreading propaganda unfavorable to the state

Present Day Book Challenges

How book banning gave us a voice

The danger of a single story

More Banned Books

ANDRZEJ TOKARSKI/GETTY

Perspectives

Parents

Students

Educators

Board Members

Images from Genial.ly

Politica Activist Groups

What Can We Do?

Possible Solutions to our wicked problem

In public education, parents have the right to decide what books their child reads but not the books that other children have access to. (No books can be banned school wide in public education)

Educators have to take required professional developments that provide insight on how to have difficult but necessary conversations surrounding books.

All books will receive content ratings like movies. The rating does not change based on the identity of the characters in the book.

Community members have a required class about the value and support of a book they want to challenge before submitting a form.

FlatIcon Images

References

A&E Television Networks. (n.d.). Why “to kill a Mockingbird” keeps getting banned. History.com. https://www.history.com/news/why-to-kill-a-mockingbird-keeps-getting-banned ACLU. (2019, September 28). 6 jaw-dropping reasons a book has been banned. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9bRxUqcr7k ACLU. Banned Books What’s At Stake. https://www.aclu.org/issues/free-speech/artistic-expression/banned-books Admin. (2013, March 26). *Banned & Challenged Classics* [Text]. Advocacy, Legislation & Issues. (https://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/frequentlychallengedbooks/classics) Advani, R., & Treisman, R. (2022, October 25). Banned books: Author George M. Johnson on the need to tell all people’s stories. NPR. https://www.npr.org/2022/10/25/1130433140/banned-books-all-boys-arent-blue-george-johnson-lgbtq-ya Alter, A. (2022, May 1). How a Debut Graphic Memoir Became the Most Banned Book in the Country. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/01/books/maia-kobabe-gender-queer-book-ban.html Alvarez, B. (2022). The Freedom to Read and Learn: Educators Respond to Book Bans. NEA News. https://www.nea.org/advocating-for-change/new-from-nea/freedom-read-and-learn-educators-respond-book-bans Banned books 2022 - separate is never equal. Marshall Libraries. (2022, September 7). https://www.marshall.edu/library/bannedbooks/separate-is-never-equal/ Bernard, W. (2018, October 1). Banned Book Highlight: “Candide” by Voltaire. The Collegian. https://www.kstatecollegian.com/2018/09/30/banned-book-highlight-candide-by-voltaire/ Book Bans in the United States: History Says it All – UAB Institute for Human Rights Blog. (n.d.). Retrieved July 27, 2023, from https://sites.uab.edu/humanrights/2023/01/12/book-bans-in-the-united-states-history-says-it-all/ CatieMux, P. by. (2020, September 17). Banned books Week – this day in June. Books Bird. https://booksbird.wordpress.com/2020/09/27/banned-books-week-this-day-in-june/ Collis. (2023, April 21). Top 13 Most Challenged Books of 2022 [Text]. Advocacy, Legislation & Issues. https://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/frequentlychallengedbooks/top10 Cunningham, A. M., & Mitchell, J. (2023, March 17). Mississippi’s own Angie Thomas: Her most popular book is missing from library shelves. Mississippi Today. https://mississippitoday.org/2023/03/16/angie-thomas-mississippi-book-ban/ Hicks, T., Gabrion, L., Lester, K., & Schoenborn, A. (2022). Standing up and pushing back: Resources from a conversation around book bans and censorship. Michigan Reading Journal, 54(3), 13. Holtermann, C. (2022) What Do You Think About Efforts to Ban Books From School Libraries? The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/07/learning/what-do-you-think-about-efforts-to-ban-books-from-school-libraries.html#commentsContainer

References

JK Rowling, The Harry Potter Series – The Banned Books Project. (n.d.). Retrieved July 27, 2023, from https://bannedbooks.library.cmu.edu/j-k-rowling-the-harry-potter-series/ Lombardi, E. (2022, July 6). Banned book: “jacob’s new dress.” A Book Geek. https://www.abookgeek.com/banned-book-jacobs-new-dress/ Mark, J. J. (n.d.). *New English Canaan*. World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved July 26, 2023, from (https://www.worldhistory.org/New_English_Canaan/) NBC News. (2021). Parents, School Officials Sound Off on Banning of Books About Race, Gender and Sexuality. YouTube. Retrieved July 26, 2023, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQvTxPjBVqg Newsnation. (2023). Moms for Liberty founders defend fight to prohibit books in school libraries. YouTube. Retrieved July 26, 2023, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-e8EwRkphmI Pendharkar, E. (2022). As Book Bans Spread, Suburban Moms Who Oppose Them Are Fighting Back. Education Week. https://www.edweek.org/leadership/as-book-bans-spread-suburban-moms-who-oppose-them-are-fighting-back/2022/02 Pestersmine, A. (2023). Michigan Board of Education votes to push back against book bans. Chalkbeat. https://www.chalkbeat.org/2023/6/14/23761385/michigan-board-of-education-book-bans-library-civil-rights#:~:text=Michigan%27s%20State%20Board%20of%20Education%20voted%20Tuesday%20to%20take%20a,read%20diverse%20collections%20of%20literature. Pineda, D. (2020. In Burbank schools, a book-banning debate over how to teach antiracism. Los Angeles Times. https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/books/story/2020-11-12/burbank-unified-challenges-books-including-to-kill-a-mockingbird PEN America. What is a book Ban? and more frequently asked questions. (2023, June 5). https://pen.org/book-bans-frequently-asked-questions/ Rahman, K. (2022). Moms for Liberty Banned Book List —The Novels THey Want Taken Out of SChools. Newsweek. https://www.newsweek.com/moms-liberty-banned-book-list-schools-1756574 sydneyrawls. (2022). Tennessee Teachers Can Relate. TikTok. Retrieved July 26, 2023, from https://www.tiktok.com/@sydneyrawls/video/7131343584963398955?_r=1&_t=8UrwLS3b3UI&is_from_webapp=v1 TED Talk. (2009). Dangers of a Single Story. YouTube. Retrieved July 27, 2023, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9Ihs241zeg. TedxTalks. (2022a, August 23). How A book ban helped us find our voice | Christina Ellis & Edha Gupta | tedxpenn. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jun1zNNe3dc Webb, S. L. (n.d.). Book banning. Book Banning. https://www.mtsu.edu/first-amendment/article/986/book-banning Yoon, S. (2022). I’m a High School Junior. Let’s Talk About ‘Huckleberry Finn’ and ‘Mockingbird.’ The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/18/opinion/school-book-bans-students.html

“I would like to make sure that it’s clear — that it is in here — that at least we can go on record and say that there is a level where certain books or certain materials should not be available in schools to students in any grade.” Tom McMillin, Michigan State Board of Education, Member

Angelica's opinion is just one of many from students who believe threre is a need to ban some books according to the Student Opion section in the New York Times.

As a way to fight back against book banning and supporting the rights of the First Amendment, the ACLU holds an annual event called Banned Books Week. During this period they encourage the freedom to read books that are forbidden to be included in school and public libraries.

American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)

Catcher in the Rye

by JD Salinger

This book has faced bans due to its explicit language, sexual content, and rebellious themes. Some consider the book unsuitable for younger readers, fearing negative influence and disrespect for authority. (admin, 2013)

https://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/frequentlychallengedbooks/classics

Scholarly Input

"In other words, as literacy educators, we have a professional responsibility to provide access to diverse voices found in books, even if—or, perhaps, we could say especially if—those books deal with difficult topics". ~ Gabrion, L., Hicks, T., Lester, K., and Schoenborn, A.

New English Canaan

by Thomas Morton

This book was one of the earliest books to be 'banned' in the United States. People believed it was seditious and discussed the unfair treatment of Native Americans. The book portrayed the government and settlers in a negative light during that period.(Mark, n.d.)

https://www.worldhistory.org/New_English_Canaan/

Jacob's New Dress By Sarah and Ian Hoffman

This book was banned due to its "disruptive" representation of individuals who are transgender. Many parents were upset that this book was being distributed in their schools. The book teaches children lessons on individuality and creativity.

All Boys Aren't Blue George M. Johnson

This book has been banned several times due to its LGBTQ content and being sexually explicit. It is the story of a black man who grew up as queer and his journey of being misunderstood. By banning this book, a crucial and relatable story is being taken from the hands of others.

"There were people that don't want the book to be published. That's banning books. Our moms are saying write the book, publish the book, print the book, sell the book wherever you'd like to sell it, but don't put it in a public school library if it has explicit sexual content in it." ~Moms for Liberty co-founder, Tiffany Justice

Parents Rights

The responsibility of public education is to educate all. If there are books that parents disagree with in public education, they do not have the ability to ban/challenge it school-wide. A parent has the right to choose that their child does not participate in challenged activities/lessons. Their child could be moved to a different location during this time (e.g., a book being read). The parent would understand that this could result in their child missing valuable instruction based on their wishes. There is an exemption for materials used in state-issued curriculum and age-appropriate topics about identities.

This Day in June By Gayle Pitman

This book has been ranked in the top 11 most banned books in the United States. It has been challenged because of its LGBTQ content, which is displayed in a child-friendly format. The book teaches about the history of gay rights and equality in our country.

Educators are pushing back against those who want to censor literature. Students should have access to resources that help them better understand the lives, cultures, and experiences of different people.NEA Today Senior Writer, Brenda Álvarez

Harry Potter Series

by J.K. Rowling

This highly popular fantasy series faced many challenges and bans, especialy from some religious groups who objected to its portrayal of magic and witchcraft. (JK Rowling, The Harry Potter Series – The Banned Books Project, n.d.)

https://bannedbooks.library.cmu.edu/j-k-rowling-the-harry-potter-series/

Educating Educators

Enhancing teachers' education on the topics found in challenged books would lead to more meaningful instruction. By providing teachers with comprehensive training on these aspects before the book is read, they can effectively and accurately teach the lessons. This approach will enable teachers to feel confident and proficient in handling these topics, reassuring parents and community members that the discussions are conducted appropriately and respectfully in the classroom. These professional developments will be ongoing to provide teachers the opportunity to continually improve.

Briana P's opinion is just one of many from students who are strongly opposed to the banning of books according to the Student Opion section in the New York Times.

“I acknowledged that Black students were being marginalized in our classrooms (I was sympathetic, too; I am all too familiar with the demeaning nature of racism) — but did not think that it was the fault of these books or their content." By Sungjoo Yoon Junior at Burbank High School and Chairman of the Burbank Youth Board

Candide

by Voltaire

This book, which criticized religious and philosophical optimism, was banned because people thought it was disrespectful to religion and had rebellious ideas.(Bernard, 2018)

https://www.kstatecollegian.com/2018/09/30/banned-book-highlight-candide-by-voltaire/

https://ebookfriendly.com/banned-books-infographics/timeline-of-banned-books-infographic/

Candide

by Voltaire

This book, which criticized religious and philosophical optimism, was banned because people thought it was disrespectful to religion and had rebellious ideas.(Bernard, 2018)

https://www.kstatecollegian.com/2018/09/30/banned-book-highlight-candide-by-voltaire/

New English Canaan

by Thomas Morton

This book was one of the earliest books to be 'banned' in the United States. People believed it was seditious and discussed the unfair treatment of Native Americans. The book portrayed the government and settlers in a negative light during that period.(Mark, n.d.)

https://www.worldhistory.org/New_English_Canaan/

School Book Ban

PEN America's Definition

Any action taken against a book based on its content and as a result of parent or community challenges, administrative decisions, or in response to direct or threatened action by lawmakers or other governmental officials, leads to a previously accessible book being either completely removed from availability to students or to access to a book being restricted or diminished.

PEN America What is a School Book Ban?

Uncle Tom's Cabin

by Harriet Beecher Stowe

Even though it wasn't banned everywhere, this important book faced challenges and censorship in certain Southern states because it talked about slavery and its influence on the movement to end it.(Book Bans in the United States: History Says It All – UAB Institute for Human Rights Blog, n.d.)

https://sites.uab.edu/humanrights/2023/01/12/book-bans-in-the-united-states-history-says-it-all/#:~:text=Uncle%20Tom's%20Cabin%20by%20Harriet,individuals%20against%20the%20South's%20slavery.

Rating Books

A National Book Rating Committee will be formed including represenation from educators of all levels, students, parents and community members to rate each book. The books will be rated based on explicit language, violence, sex and drug use. Authors and publishers could make rating reccomendations to the board.While it may not completely eliminate the problem, it could offer a more subtle approach to evaluating and categorizing books, allowing readers, educators and parents to make informed decisions about what they choose to read or allow their students/children to read. This idea could possibly help avoid overreactions to immediatly ban a book but instead create a dialogue around a better solution.

“I’m not for banning books,” said board co-Vice President Tiffany Tilley, who suggested the amendment. “For some parents, they may not be ready for their children to read about some of those things, and that’s fine. We’re not trying to make decisions for their children, but we’re not trying to ban books from everybody.” Chalkbeat

Gender Queer

by Maia Kobabe

This book gained attention for its candid exploration of gender identity and sexuality, leading to headlines nationwide on anti LGBTQ backlash. (Alter, 2022)

https://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/frequentlychallengedbooks/top10

“Right before Gender Queer [an illustrated novel by Maia Kobabe about gender identity] was ripped from our school’s shelves, one of my children came out as nonbinary, and Gender Queer is an incredibly important book for them to read, to get comfort from, to help understand how they were feeling and what they’re going through developmentally.” Jen Cousins, a mom in Orange County, Florida.

Separate is Never Equal By Duncan Tonatiuh

This book has been banned on three separate occasions in Pennsylvania and Texas. The book sheds light on the history of the Brown vs. Board of Education trial. It has been argued that these books do not help our children because there is no need for segregation anymore.

Gender Queer

by Maia Kobabe

This book gained attention for its candid exploration of gender identity and sexuality, leading to headlines nationwide on anti LGBTQ backlash. (Alter, 2022)

https://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/frequentlychallengedbooks/top10

To Kill a Mockingbird By Harper Lee

This book has been banned over the years due to its use of racial slurs in the text. It has been challenged for its inclusion in school lessons. Many argue that this book should be reassessed as a teaching tool because of its 'white savior' theme.

The Hate U Give By Angie Thomas

This book has been banned because of its portrayal of police brutality on marginalized populations. The main character in this book is a female who is African American, which has also led to challenges. The story is about a personal experience with a police officer and a young boy who is African American.

Challenging/Banning

American Library Association Definition

A challenge is an attempt to remove or restrict materials based upon the objections of a person or group. A banning is the actual removal of those materials. Challenges do not simply involve a person expressing a point of view; rather, they are attempts to remove material from the curriculum or library, thereby restricting the access of others.

American Library Association

Catcher in the Rye

by JD Salinger

This book has faced bans due to its explicit language, sexual content, and rebellious themes. Some consider the book unsuitable for younger readers, fearing negative influence and disrespect for authority. (admin, 2013)

https://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/frequentlychallengedbooks/classics

Banning Classes

Community members who want to challenge a book in schools will be expected to attend sessions in order to beginning the porcess of banning.The classes will focus on the diverse subjects in question and the importance of freedom. Instructors with an understanding on a books topic will teach the classes.By participating in these classes, the community members will gain insights into the contents of the books and hopefully develop an understanding of why intellectual freedom is important.

Book Banning

The MTSU First Ammendment Encyclopedia Definiton

Book banning, a form of censorship, occurs when private individuals, government officials, or organizations remove books from libraries, school reading lists, or bookstore shelves because they object to their content, ideas, or themes.

MTSU First Ammendment Encyclopedia Book Banning

Uncle Tom's Cabin

by Harriet Beecher Stowe

Even though it wasn't banned everywhere, this important book faced challenges and censorship in certain Southern states because it talked about slavery and its influence on the movement to end it. (Book Bans in the United States: History Says It All – UAB Institute for Human Rights Blog, n.d.)

https://sites.uab.edu/humanrights/2023/01/12/book-bans-in-the-united-states-history-says-it-all/#:~:text=Uncle%20Tom's%20Cabin%20by%20Harriet,individuals%20against%20the%20South's%20slavery.

Harry Potter Series

by J.K. Rowling

This highly popular fantasy series faced many challenges and bans, especialy from some religious groups who objected to its portrayal of magic and witchcraft. (JK Rowling, The Harry Potter Series – The Banned Books Project, n.d.)

https://bannedbooks.library.cmu.edu/j-k-rowling-the-harry-potter-series/