Book banning movements have been on the rise for several years now. It has become increasingly prevalent that parents take issue with many books that discuss certain topics, such as Black history or LGBTQ+ narratives. This was the topic that was discussed on Wednesday, Feb. 23 in the Elizabethtown College Tempest Theatre at 4 p.m.
The event was called “Unban My History” and featured four panelists, made up of faculty and staff at Etown. The event was hosted by the Gender and Sexuality Alliance club (GSA) and was moderated by GSA president Samhar Almomani. The four panelists included Instruction and Outreach Librarian Josh Cohen, Director of the Center for Community and Civic Engagement Javita Thompson, Housing and Residence Life Area Coordinator Eugene Thomas and professor of political science Dr. Fletcher McClellan.
Cohen underscored how the current political climate and increased polarization in our country has contributed to the rise in book banning movements. He also mentioned how social media and technology is a new tool for these groups to utilize. “This is a new phenomenon, having social media be used as a way to try to remove books that cover topics like things about gender or sexuality or race,” he said.
Thompson noted the difference in this year’s book ban movement. “What makes the ban this year different and worrisome, I think, is the fact that both sides can truly say that we both have social media, we both have mighty groups that have support one way or the other. It’s just a matter of voices being heard, and those who are in support of continued learning of all cultures and all walks of life,” she said.
Thomas cited his experience working as a former middle school social studies teacher. “When you see students come into the classroom with an identity that’s different from yours, there’s that want and that need to have their voice heard,” he said.
Thomas stated that book banning has a negative effect on these students particularly. “When you have books that are banned that don’t allow [students] to fully access their identity outside of their own experiences, what you do is limit the amount of voices that they can hear,” he said.
McClellan used his extensive knowledge of political movements, decades of teaching and thorough understanding of history to provide further insight on these issues. “We take it for granted, but critical thinking is not universally liked. It can be a threat to authority. Things like truth-seeking, innovation, creativity [and] imagination can also be threatening,” he said.
McClellan emphasized that these issues are much broader than book banning alone. He said the current movement is comprehensive. “It’s not just banning books, it’s gag orders on teachers, things that they can’t say related to diversity, ‘critical race theory’, or not saying anything about LGBTQ students or people,” he said.
GSA member and event attendee Layla Murphy said, “I really enjoyed attending and I think that the discussion of books being challenged or banned and why they are being banned is very important, and it was interesting to hear input about books being banned recently from faculty here, who have a background in literature, history or who have worked in libraries,” she said.
Almomani said, “It was important to hold an event to discuss the nationwide spread of book banning legislation to ensure that everyone is aware of what is happening when it comes to silencing authors and erasing history.”
He went on to further mention that the GSA will be hosting events similar to this in April, since that will be Etown Pride Month, with discussions about book banning related to LGBTQ+ history.”
These attacks on the fundamental rights we share that give us the freedom to read what we like and to understand the world around us are not going away anytime soon. The question is what we will do about it and how we can elect school board members who don’t believe in censoring thought. Banning books undermines not only our understanding of each other, but ourselves as well. After all, knowledge is power.
