Banned Books Week
What is Banned Books Week and why is it important to censorship?
Banned Books Week is “the freedom to choose or the freedom to express one’s opinion even if that opinion might be considered unorthodox or unpopular and stresses the importance of ensuring the availability of those unorthodox or unpopular viewpoints to all who wish to read them” (Hewes).
“The ALA’s expressed intent for Banned Books Week is to draw attention to First Amendmentrights but also to the power of literature…and…to the danger that exists when restraints are imposed on the availability of information in a free society” (Censorship).
When and by whom is Banned Books Week held?
Banned Books Week is sponsored by the American Association, American Booksellers Foundation of Free Expression, Association of American Publishers, National Association of College Stores. American Society of Journalists and Authors, and the American Library Association (Banned Books Week celebrates).
Banned Books Week is held annually every last week of September (Celebrate).
The ALA(American Library Association) are some of the main pushers of Banned Books Week and are creators of the 100 most Banned Books Week list (Celebrating).
What are some ways to protect our reading rights?
“Suggested activities for celebrating the right to freely read include read-alouds from challenged books, displaying posters, pins, etc.; and even writing to local, state, and federal legislatures urging them to support the right to read” (Banned Books Week Set).
Some ways to maintain the rights of the First Ammendment are to stay informed, organize activities for Banned Books Week, write letters to important school officials regarding book banning, and check out a favorite banned book (Celebrating).
