Frequently Asked Questions
(about book banning efforts)
Are we really at risk here in Ypsi / Ann Arbor?
Yes. Despite living in an area known for progressive values, we are. Local challenges are often instigated by people with affiliations to national organizations who have an agenda. Institutions that research these organizations find them active in Michigan, near and in our community.
But will our leaders really allow a ban?
Part of the danger of the rise of bans and challenges is that it creates a climate of fear and hesitation. Teachers begin to pull back from materials they fear any parent might find objectionable, especially when they are uncertain that there is wide community support for diverse representations in literature and the freedom to read.
Shouldn’t parents be able to opt out?
Yes. And they do. And they can. Most every educational curricular policy gives parents the option to opt their children out of particular content. Most libraries are also able to honor the same requests.
Will students really miss a few banned books?
Recent book bans and challenges are especially targeting authors of color, particularly Black authors, as well as LGBTQ authors. These authors are already underrepresented in the field. Students with these identities already struggle for access to materials that reflect their experience. Each of these books matter and deserve shelf space. People are trying to censor and silence them specifically because they are powerful.
Won’t these people get bored and move on?
We hope they move on! But in the meantime the bans are increasing in number and spreading to new locations, and everyplace is suffering the consequences. Even places with no challenges from the community are experiencing “quiet bans” or the preemptive removal of material that is being banned elsewhere. Damage is being done, and won’t be easily undone.
Can’t people just get the books from the library?
Public libraries are increasingly under attack from the same organizational efforts, especially here in Michigan. States like Texas are also trying to pass legislation that puts undue pressure on book stores and would make it very challenging for these businesses to carry banned material.
Why should I sign up for this reading challenge?
Why not? If you’re already on board with supporting the freedom to read - great! Connect with us, we need you. If you’re not quite sure…try it out! Read for yourself! See what happens and let us know.
Haven’t book bans always been happening?
We have a long history of people attempting to ban literature. Some of the classics taught in schools decades ago have likely spent time on a “banned list.” But past challenges have primarily been few, uncoordinated, and ineffective. That’s very different from what we are seeing today.
Aren’t book bans good for sales?
No. They aren’t. They may cause temporary increases for a small set of authors, but those authors generally lose out on critical speaking engagements and school orders, which easily leave them much, much worse off.
I just don’t think that what I do will matter.
It does! We know from teachers, administrators, and librarians across the country that the most helpful and effective support against both book bans and the climate of fear is a known, findable, and large number of community members who will stand up for the freedom to read!
What about pornography?
Pornography has a definition: “Material designed to excite and that has no literary value.” Materials that include sexual content are not pornography. Materials in schools and school libraries have been vetted by literature experts who are credentialed to identify appropriate audiences for books.
What other questions do you want to see here?
Email us and let us know.
YA2AFreedomToRead@gmail.com