‘They’re trying to narrow the worldview of young people’: how book bans are on the rise in the US
Rising tide of censorship is spreading, reshaping what students are permitted to read, learn and think
TL;DR
- Book bans in the US have surged dramatically since 2021, driven by organized conservative groups aiming to control what young people read.
- Literature featuring LGBTQ+ themes and authors of color are primary targets, but censorship has expanded to nonfiction, including history and health.
- The campaigns are well-funded and politicized, with tactics spreading from local efforts to state legislation and even federal influence.
- Authors face financial losses as school visits dry up, leading to potential self-censorship.
- Librarians are increasingly facing harassment and professional repercussions for defending access to challenged books.
- Activists and writers see book bans as a symptom of democratic backsliding and a threat to free speech and education.
- Pushback includes legislative action to protect libraries and free expression, lawsuits, and movements promoting 'reading as resistance'.