Book challenges and censorship show no signs of going away. According to the American Library Association’s Office of Intellectual Freedom, book challenges at public libraries will surge 65% from 2022 to 2023 and increase 92% since 2020. Not content with just censoring books, challengers have stepped up cyberbullying, doxxing, and direct threats against the authors and curators of these books.
“There’s a widespread book ban or challenge in this country right now,” said Jake Phoenixcollection development manager and author at Cuyahoga Falls Library Maximizing the impact of comics in your library: graphic novels, comics, and more. “Public libraries are under attack, school libraries are under attack, classrooms are under attack, and unfortunately, the staff of those institutions are under attack. But beyond that, publishers are under attack and are feeling the pinch.
At San Diego Comic-Con on July 26, 2024, Phoenix moderated the panel discussion “Ban our books!” As creators and publishers explain, the book ban had an impact on their careers. Those who have joined the Phoenix group include Joe Cepeda (illustrator Worst camping ever), Jenny Wood (paper airplane), Shawnell Gibbs and Shawnee Gibbs (Writers Ghost BBQ), and frederick jones (clock strikerfounder of Saturday Morning).
First, panelists shared what public libraries mean to their well-being and livelihoods. For the Gibbs sisters, the library provides a safe space away from the hustle and bustle of the world and the horrors that surround Oakland Public Schools.
“I discovered Octavia Butler there. I discovered some world that rescued me from things that didn’t feel safe in my family or my community,” Shonell said.
Shawnee emphasized Shawnell’s statement about running away:
“This is an important dream place for kids because if the library failed and didn’t exist, we wouldn’t be sitting here today.”
For Wood, as a child growing up in a conservative southern town in North Carolina, libraries provided the only safe space.
“It was a place where I could go in and see characters that I could relate to, and it also helped me discover writing. I could get out of that town through writing.
Cepeda, who grew up in a home with limited access to books in East Los Angeles, was fascinated by the stories his fourth-grade teacher read in class, especially chapters from books. charlie and the chocolate factory. Libraries provide opportunities to learn and discover identities beyond the community.
“The library, whether it was a school library or the public library on Third Street in Los Angeles, was a place where I could find stories and have people read them to me,” Cepeda said. “I can’t tell you specifically what I learned about this author or that author, but what I did learn was the habit or experience of walking down the aisle, just picking up a book and seeing what it showed me, and slowly Developing an identity of who I might be.
Like Wood, Jones grew up in North Carolina, but he has a very different perspective. Jones grew up in a predominantly white neighborhood where the library did not represent a safe space. However, attending the ALA annual meeting changed his view of the value of libraries in fostering creativity.
“In the library, you feel like you’re not competing,” Jones said. “You are here to celebrate creativity, art and personal expression. While this is not what I experienced growing up, it is what I experience today and I am very proud of our relationship. When we find ways to bring their creations to life I’m also very proud of our efforts to bring diverse content to the next level.
Phoenix’s next question to the panelists focused on the impact of censorship on their careers and communities.
“I’ve seen it divide communities, and not just in our country,” Wood said. She went on to explain how censorship affected a Canadian friend’s political views on Israel, leading to a ban on the convention.
Jones agreed with Wood and cited how the Texas book ban affected publishers’ distribution and sales. Texas challenged 2,300 titles and became the first in the nation to limit the types of books children can have access to.
“It doesn’t just impact politics or culture. I think they’re going to destroy communities, but more importantly, it says something about African Americans,” Jones said. “What we have to do is frankly control the empathy of young people. That’s the most damaging part of it. They don’t really know how to identify or empathize with those who are different to understand the people who are affected by the decisions they make.” Sense. Libraries therefore represent the last line of defense for the protection of ideas and creativity.
Cepeda worries that the self-censorship of book challenges will stifle the types of stories creators can bring to the table, and Shawnee agrees, noting that a climate of fear leads to a decrease in the number of creators.
“As a creator, it takes courage to say these are the stories I want to tell, especially in the face of increasing uncertainty,” Cepeda said.
Phoenix classifies self-censorship as a form of terrorism because it leads to doxxing of librarians. The discussion led to a third question, which asked panelists about specific bans or challenges they have seen. Sister Gibbs quotes Maya Angelou’s “I” Know why the caged bird sings (Shonell) and Jerry Craft’s newcomer. Wood spoke of her experience with the anthology, love is love.
“I was part of the Love Is Love anthology and it did really well,” Wood said. “This is awesome because all proceeds from the Orlando Pulse nightclub shooting were donated to the families of the victims. The product was banned in Texas and pulled from shelves in Oregon. I saw that book; they Not going to buy that book. They’re not going to support that book, and the ripple effects of that that are really going to help these families and bring them comfort, I think a lot of people don’t know.
Jones believes that the challenge genderqueer Rooted in ill will and politics against marginalized groups.
“What possible reasons other than talking about things that might provide empathy and understanding to young people, it makes me feel like there’s clearly an agenda there,” Jones said. “If you’re struggling in the community, the higher-ups You’re told that there’s something about a book that really makes you feel seen and there’s something in it that appeals to us and we’ll buy it, right? Then check it out, and you’re, again, deliberately letting some people exercise their ego. The basic right to education, the opportunity to expand your thinking, becomes more complicated? That’s why it’s so evil and there’s a lot of trouble getting it back again.
As Jones talks about, and something Shawnee and Cepeda wholeheartedly support, the success of the graphic novel and comic form and their visual appeal to reluctant readers makes these books a particular focus of the challenge. intention? Cutting off the reader’s opportunity and ability to see themselves reflected.
Finally, when asked how librarians or the public can help limit book challenges, Sister Gibbs suggested standardizing the book challenge process and putting a face to the individual or group attempting the challenge. Wood recommends that librarians and the public read the titles in question and advocate for them at library board meetings, school board meetings and council meetings. Citing the case of a friend whose son was involved in local politics, Cepeda offered some advice on amplifying voices.
“People who attend council meetings are there and council members can see them,” Cepeda said. “If they believe you’re there and you have some kind of voice in the community, they’re going to pay attention.”
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