Introduction
The United States, established on the standards of freedom and liberty, finds itself amid a concerning surge in the prohibition of books inside its school areas. A report by Pen America, a free speech organization, unveils the expanding censorship endeavors and their implications for gratis discourse and intellectual freedom. The mounting wave of book bans within the United States, propelled by recently actualized laws and controls, not only postures a danger to freedom of discourse but also speaks to a risky move towards mental consistency.
Main Body
The initial indication of this disquieting pattern manifests in the sheer escalation of book bans. According to PEN America’s findings, the number of instances where books were removed skyrocketed from July to December 2022, with a significant surge compared to the preceding six months (Alter). This upsurge in book bans stems from new legislative measures that impose restrictions on the books accessible to children.
Florida’s House Bill 1557, for illustration, bans discussions of gender or sexual orientation, leading to widespread book expulsions. They note, “Prohibiting classroom 22 discussion about sexual orientation or gender identity 23 in certain grade levels or a specified manner” (The Florida Senate 1). Besides, in Missouri, “The statute, Senate Bill 775, has led to the removal of hundreds of children’s books across the state and caused library workers to aggressively self-censor under the threat of incarceration” (Hellerstein). As a result, various books, especially those tending to LGBTQ+ subjects or racial imbalance, have been subjected to mass expulsions.
The circumstance is compounded by activist groups and authorities, like Moms for Liberty, focusing on books about LGBTQ+ issues and racial imbalance. These groups, including Moms for Liberty and Utah Parents United, play a pivotal role in propelling book bans, often targeting specific books that revolve around LGBTQ+ themes or address racial inequality (Alter). This concerted effort represents a troubling development as it has the potential to impact entire districts or even states. Furthermore, the influence of these book bans reverberates widely, affecting countless school districts nationwide.
Conclusion
The growing trend of book bans in the United States poses a grave threat to intellectual freedom and the plurality of thoughts. It expands beyond removing particular books in isolated school areas, displaying a systematic attack on a wide range of concepts. We must acknowledge and confront this peril to democratic values, preserving the freedom to read and explore diverse ideas for future generations.
Works Cited
Alter, Alexandra. “Book Bans Rising Rapidly in the U.S., Free Speech Groups Find.” The New York Times. 2023. Web.
Hellerstein, Erica. “Missouri Librarians Are Risking Jail Time – for Doing Their Jobs.” Coda Story. 2023. Web.
The Florida Senate. “House Bill 1557 (2022) – the Florida Senate.” Flsenate, 2022. Web.