Maina wa Njuguna
The state of Illinois, USA became the first state to ban the banning of books. Libraries and schools that ban books will loose state funding. Public schools are funded through a combination of local, state, and federal dollars. Most funds come from the local and state governments, while a smaller fraction comes from the federal level.
The rise of book bans and class censorship in 2022 – 2023 school year has been alarming across the country mostly led by right-wing activists who are targeting books that cover – civil rights, gender, the holocaust, race issues, slavery, sexuality and more.
Majority of American parents oppose book bans to the tune of 71% according to a poll conducted by American Library Association News. 75% of Democrats, 58% of Independents, and 70% of Republicans oppose removal of books from their public local libraries.
Despite these high polls against the bans, a vocal minority and small right-wing advocacy groups have successfully led the charge and scored well as book bans across the country continue to rise.
According to BANNED in THE USA, the growing movement to censor books in schools – the number of book bans rose by 28% in the first half of 2022-2023 school year compared to the same time the previous year.
PEN America, a nonprofit organization committed to protecting free speech and celebrating free expression, has tracked more than 4000 accounts of books banned since July 2021.
As the American divide continues to grow between the hard right (about 1/3 of conservatives) and the hard left (about 2/3 of liberals), what is considered factual or not is subject to interpretation depending on one’s political orientation.
A good example is the DONALD TRUMP INDICTEMENT in connection with the mishandling of classified documents. His right-wing support base views it as a blatant political witch hunt by leftist lunatics whereas the liberals and some independents (middle of both the right and left ideology), see it as a legitimate case against the former president.
Image credit: / PEN America website/
Book bans are most prevalent in some conservative states – Florida, Missouri, South Carolina, Texas, and Utah according to PEN America.
The recent LGBTQ intensity to gain more acceptance and the inclusion of gender ‘fluid’ or sensitive literature materials in schools and libraries has given rise to those against left wing liberal ideologies.
/Maina wa Njuguna- Africa Equity Media (AEM)/
More independents and conservatives are increasingly viewing this as indoctrination of children and teenagers to immoral lifestyles that do not conform to mainstream biblical, and or traditional values.
As a result, other issues that were either on the back banner, or have emboldened those hostile to civil rights, the holocaust, American tense racial history, slavery and so on, have came afore and now on the receiving end of the vitriol.
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