This ‘Thread In My Hand’ that now drives my theological thinking is, again, by revelation: “Knowledge is Biblical. Education is Not.” (Barbara A. Woods).
In it’s condemnation of censorship and in defense of first amendment rights, the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom compiles, annually, ’10 most challenged Books’ —to inform the public. They reported in 2023 a 65% surge in books targeted; not just in school libraries, but public libraries also. 4,240 books that had made their way onto library shelves for informational and educational means became the target from pressure groups; with 1,247 demands to censor library books, materials, and resources.
The Smithsonian Magazine wrote, noting their Podcast Interview with journalist Colleen Connolly. Conversation focused on Thomas Morton’s book “New English Canaan” as the first book the Puritans in North America found so threatening that the decision was made to banish it. The Podcast is joined by Carla Hayden, Library of Congress, who talks Banned Book history in the U.S. and the organized attempts to prevent the reading of specific books.
Toni Morrison’s 11 yr. old African American girl prays for her eyes to turn blue; her reference for all that is beautiful and good and right in her world. “The Bluest Eyes” won a Nobel Prize. But, in 2023 when the Book was banned in Missouri, the American Civil Liberties Union of MO (ACLU), filed a lawsuit on behalf of the students who argued that the board had restricted several books that engage students with a “diversity of ideas and minority viewpoints, including with respect to race, gender, and sexual identity”; they noted the banning of books because of “ideological disagreement”. This was the single book reinstated.
Margaret Atwood’s best selling book “The Handmaid’s Tale” (Hulu TV show) is a dystopian tale where patriarchal religious fanatics have taken women hostage for child bearing purpose. The sexual tyranny has gotten this book banned again and again, with six more bans added in 2023.
Let’s just say that Ellen Hopkins is probably the ‘most banned’ writer in this Nation! “Crank” (2004) is the story of a perfect daughter who is introduced to drugs and then falls prey to the monster of drug addiction. Loosely based on the crystal meth addiction of one of Hopkins’ children, this New York Times bestseller is written to try to understand the ‘why’s’ of addiction. It was banned over 12 times in 2023. She wrote “Impulse” in 2007. The tale of a trio of troubled teenagers in a psychiatric facility after each attempted suicide. Their painfully realistic struggles with mental health, self-harm, addiction, suicide, recovery and death. Ellen’s “Identical” released in 2013 to tackles the unimaginable, and reaches 1st place as a New York Times bestseller. An outwardly ideal family harboring many dark secrets has Identical 16 yr old twins at the center, struggling under the weight of child abuse, incest, sexual assault, eating disorders —true realities that many teenagers and children face. Additionally, her book “People Kill People” (2018) made the ‘most banned book in America’ list. This book explores the darkness within us all and challenges the thought of what makes one into someone who pulls the trigger.
Amy Reed’s “The Nowhere Girls” chronicles three girls who team up to avenge the rape of a classmate—and discover along the way what they are capable of and what it means to speak and to have a voice at all.
Angie Thomas wrote “The Hate U Give” (NY Times bestseller) about a 16 yr old living in two realities: a predominantly White prep school by day and her Black, low-income neighborhood by night. When a police officer kills her unarmed friend, unsettling issues of police brutality, violence and racism take center place. It was hit with seven additional bans 2023.
Jay Asher’s ‘Thirteen Reasons Why” is concerning a high schooler, Clay. His friend Hannah who, before committing suicide, records the 13 events that led her to that point. He now receives them in the mail. With 8 additional bans in 2023, this book addresses the pain of a depressed and wounded teenager; and is now a Netflix adaptation.
And then “The Color Purple” written by Alice Walker that, since 1984 was first banned within two years of publication. It’s ban by school districts across the nation is cited for more reasons than not. It has made it’s way to the Broadway Stage as well as schools, university, and local community stages; and the Big Screen… twice. This Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Foundation Award work with it’s misogynistic, patriarchal, southern (whether brought to the North during the great migration, or northern by European descent) Culture… offends enough people in America that it forever seeks to ban —It’s Truth!
Education is… ‘ideological agreement’.
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