Fighting the Losing Battle – Book Banning in Florida
Happy National Banned Books Week, where Florida leads the way in banning books!
Every year, schools, libraries, and bookstores across the country recognize National Banned Books Week (this year Oct. 1-7). Organized by the American Library Association, “Banned Books Week celebrates the freedom to read and spotlights current and historical attempts to censor books in libraries and schools.” For 40 years, this event has encouraged adults and young people to learn about censorship and read something new.
Meanwhile in Florida:
We have surpassed Texas as the state with the most removed/restricted books in the U.S.
Manatee County, where I live, is currently ranked third in the state for the most books removed and/or restricted, although there are groups out there working really hard to make us number one.
But now, Charlotte County is vying for the title of most bans by ordering the removal of ALL books that contain LGBTQ characters and themes from elementary and middle schools, regardless of whether they are the focus of the book or just on the periphery.
The local group I’m keeping an eye on – Community Patriots of Manatee – states on its website: “We're a group of Americans who love liberty, embrace self-government, and work to ensure justice for all.” I find this statement confusing as they are busily attempting to govern others and are disrupting the liberty and justice within our community.
Those of us attempting to challenge these laws often feel like we are fighting a losing battle. Mr. DeSantis and his supportive hate groups have a national platform with mock-news agencies. Small, local groups have difficulty competing.
But this doesn’t mean we are giving up. There are many local, statewide, and national organizations out there fighting the laws that have made this show of hate legal. We are gathering data and putting together information to take the fight to the courts.
Join the fight. Step up. Speak out.
I’m counting on you.
Here’s the sources:
American Library Association National Banned Books Week – https://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/banned
Charlotte County bans: 'These characters and themes cannot exist:' Florida county removes LGBTQ books from schools - https://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/politics/2023/09/28/cannot-exist-florida-county-removes-lgbtq-books-from-schools-charlotte/70973276007/
Florida is the nation's book banning leader, according to national free speech group - https://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/politics/2023/09/21/ron-desantis-florida-is-no-1-in-book-banning-free-speech-group-says/70900798007/
Banned in the USA: State Laws Supercharge Book Suppression in Schools - https://pen.org/report/banned-in-the-usa-state-laws-supercharge-book-suppression-in-schools/
Ron DeSantis said that not ‘a single book’ was banned in Florida. Districts have removed dozens. https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2023/may/31/ron-desantis/ron-desantis-said-that-not-a-single-book-was-banne/
