The recent wave of book bans and censorship in some US states is not a coincidence, but a deliberate strategy by white Christian nationalists to maintain their power and privilege by keeping people uninformed and obedient.
White Christian nationalism is a political ideology that seeks to preserve and promote the supremacy of white Christians in the US, and to impose their values and beliefs on the rest of the society. It is fueled by a sense of fear, resentment, and entitlement, and often manifests itself in racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, xenophobia, and anti-Semitism.
One of the ways that white Christian nationalists try to achieve their goals is by controlling the information that people have access to, especially young people who are still forming their identities and opinions. They use the concepts of “innocence” and “purity culture” to justify their domination and exclusion of others, and to suppress any information that challenges their narrative of history and morality.
This is why books by authors of color, LGBTQ+ people, and other marginalized groups are being targeted for removal from school libraries and classrooms, as well as topics like sexuality, gender identity, race, and the “hard” history of the US. These books and topics are seen as threats to the white Christian nationalist agenda, as they expose the realities and perspectives of people who have been oppressed and erased by them.
As Dr. Warren J. Blumenfeld, a professor of education at Iowa State University, wrote in an article for LGBTQ Nation: “An informed populace makes it easier to challenge authority. That’s why they’re banning books.”
Book bans and censorship are not only a threat to democracy and education, but also to the mental health and well-being of young readers who need to see themselves and others represented in literature. As Deborah Caldwell-Stone, director of the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom, said: “Books are powerful tools for helping young people understand themselves and others. When books are banned or challenged, it sends a message that some stories and experiences are not valid or worthy of discussion.”
Fortunately, not everyone is willing to accept this situation. Illinois became the first state to outlaw book bans in public libraries, after a bill was passed by the governor in June 2023. The bill protects the intellectual freedom of library patrons and staff, and prevents local governments from interfering with library collections and policies. As Governor J.B. Pritzker said: “The bill ensures every library in Illinois is a safe haven for free thought, curiosity, and exploration.”
Other states and organizations are also taking action to resist book bans and censorship, and to support diverse and inclusive literature. For example, the National Coalition Against Censorship launched the #BannedBooksWeek campaign in September 2023, which aimed to raise awareness and celebrate the freedom to read.
As Jason Reynolds, author and National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, said: “We need books that challenge us, that make us uncomfortable, that make us think differently. We need books that reflect the diversity and complexity of our world. We need books that inspire us to be better human beings.”
Relevant articles:
– An informed populace makes it easier to challenge authority. That’s why they’re banning books., LGBTQ Nation Commentary, October 7, 2023
– Illinois outlaws book bans in public libraries, CNN, June 12, 2023
– Everything you need to know about the rise in efforts to ban books from libraries, Baptist News, June 9, 2023
– How book bans are fueling a new culture war in America, The Guardian, June 8, 2023