Tracie Hall, executive director of the ALALibrary , says the books that are being banned in the past year target topics like racism, sexuality and sexual orientation.
, says the books that are being banned in the past year target topics like racism, sexuality and sexual orientation.
One of the most banned book in schools across the country, for example, is National Book Critics Circle Award winner Toni Morrison’s “The Bluest Eye.” At least 42 states have introduced legislation or have taken steps to restrict the teaching of critical race theory, sexual identity and sexual orientation, according toHall says the bans threaten the “freedom to read” and disproportionally affect LGBTQIA communities and other minority groups.
“Just as during the McCarthy era there was a desire to suppress social change, we see that happening again,” Hall said. “Especially as people of color and LGBTQIA individuals seek more social inclusion and political power.” On Monday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said parents have a fundamental role in the education, healthcare and wellbeing of their children. But Hall says that when a government creates legislation to ban books, it takes away the rights of parents to decide what materials their children have access to.