My last post on r/bookporn caused a bit of a stir. Below is my newest post:
So, it's been a while since my last post on Maya Angelou's *I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings* caused some backlash from redditors that took umbrage with my using the term "banned." I figured I'd use this post to answer some common questions I recieved so I can refer back to it on future posts.
**Can you really call a book banned if I can get it in my local library?**
I'm using the American Library Association's lists of top 100 and top 10 banned/challenged books going back to 1990, thus I'm going by their definition of banned/challenged. I take book bans seriously, because book bans are often directed against author's that are writing to address issues of social justice, often offending those who prefer to maintain the status quo. Book bans undermine the voices of marginalized author's, seek to maintain a narrow world view, and reduce the populations' ability to engage with works that encourage critical thinking and empathy.
The books on the ALA's lists may not be banned nationwide, but the bans in individual libraries still pose a threat to freedom of expression, representation, and the health and safety of marginalized groups. We should all be concerned with any book bans, because they represent a step in obscuring, limiting, and/or eliminating the lived experiences of those who are discriminated against.
**What do you get out of reading banned books?**
Increased empathy and compassion. And also a better understanding of the struggles that marginalized groups go through. I have my own experiences, but that can also create blind spots to ways of being and attitudes of groups that I have limited contact with. Reading books from different perspectives can help you confront unconscious bias you may have learned.
I'm also keeping tabs on what the detractors are so afraid of and exposing myself to those elements to see if the bans/challenges warrant the uproar. This way I can also better defend those books that are banned/ challenged.
A chance to flex my critical thinking skills and engage with challenging books that often require further research, discussion, and debate. Also, an increased awareness of the literary canon, and ideas on books that should be added or dropped.
Honestly, I can't downplay the value of entertainment and the itch to work on a collection. I've enjoyed nearly all the books I've read so far, and I love having any excuse to pick up new-to-me books.
**Won't you get bored only reading banned books?**
I haven't so far, and I'm around forty books in. Not only am I getting the chance to read books I might not have otherwise picked up, I'm getting the opportunity to read the voices of people who are different than me, to experience challenges, fears, and triumphs that I never will. I believe this is important, because it encourages empathy, compassion, and a commitment to social justice.
I'm also glad to read stories from my own LGBTQ+ community. I've learned so much by picking up challenging books and experiencing the wide variety of ways that one can be queer. I'm also glad to finally see people like me depicted in more books, which is all the more reason to be concerned when people work against all the progress we have made.
**Why the American Library Association?**
I'm American and currently living in a swing state. Using the ALA's list helps me keep tabs on what's going on politically in my own backyard. Once I've finished the bulk of the books on their lists I will start looking into books banned in other countries. Feel free to comment or DM me with any recommendations.
**Why use banned/ challenged in the title? Are you just trying to be controversial or gain more clicks?**
Honestly, my last post did get significantly more attention than my previous posts. This is a good thing because I've had so many people tell me they didn't not realize that said book was banned/ challenged in America. It feels like I'm getting the message out about bans and challenges to beloved and important books, and encouraging others to be aware and get involved.









