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Multi-level barrage of US book bans is ‘unprecedented’, says PEN America Multi-level barrage of US book bans is ‘unprecedented’, says PEN America
(about 3 hours later)
Censorship at local to federal level recalls past authoritarian regimes ‘but this has never all happened at once’Censorship at local to federal level recalls past authoritarian regimes ‘but this has never all happened at once’
Book banning in the US has surged in the past few years, fueled by conservative backlash against discussions of race, LGBTQ+ issues, and diversity teaching in public schools. Last week, the Donald Trump administration instructed the Department of Education to end their investigations into these bans, calling them a “hoax”.Book banning in the US has surged in the past few years, fueled by conservative backlash against discussions of race, LGBTQ+ issues, and diversity teaching in public schools. Last week, the Donald Trump administration instructed the Department of Education to end their investigations into these bans, calling them a “hoax”.
PEN America, one of America’s largest non-profits dedicated to protecting free expression in literature and beyond, warns that the current barrage of book bans and the growing traction of the movement is dangerously reminiscent of authoritarian regimes throughout history.PEN America, one of America’s largest non-profits dedicated to protecting free expression in literature and beyond, warns that the current barrage of book bans and the growing traction of the movement is dangerously reminiscent of authoritarian regimes throughout history.
“What we’re seeing right now mirrors elements of different historical periods, but this has never all happened at once,” Jonathan Friedman, Sy Syms managing director for US free expression programs at PEN America, said.“What we’re seeing right now mirrors elements of different historical periods, but this has never all happened at once,” Jonathan Friedman, Sy Syms managing director for US free expression programs at PEN America, said.
“That is what makes this moment so unprecedented,” he added. “We are seeing multiple levels of law, of political officials from local school boards to the federal government all trying to exert new ideological control to censor what can be taught in schools.”“That is what makes this moment so unprecedented,” he added. “We are seeing multiple levels of law, of political officials from local school boards to the federal government all trying to exert new ideological control to censor what can be taught in schools.”
What began as a local effort to instigate community-level backlash against public schools in 2020 has since escalated into a widespread political movement. The modern book banning effort can be traced back to backlash against the 1619 Project, a journalistic anthology by Nikole Hannah-Jones published in the New York Times, Friedman said.What began as a local effort to instigate community-level backlash against public schools in 2020 has since escalated into a widespread political movement. The modern book banning effort can be traced back to backlash against the 1619 Project, a journalistic anthology by Nikole Hannah-Jones published in the New York Times, Friedman said.
The project aimed to reframe US history by centering the narrative around the contributions of Black Americans in building the country. Trump argued that the piece teaches students to “hate their own country” and Republican lawmakers followed suit by vowing to ban the work in schools.The project aimed to reframe US history by centering the narrative around the contributions of Black Americans in building the country. Trump argued that the piece teaches students to “hate their own country” and Republican lawmakers followed suit by vowing to ban the work in schools.
Since then, rightwing politicians have used what they call “anti-American” literature as a campaign talking point, ramping up fears about books “indoctrinating” students into progressive values as a conservative rallying cry.Since then, rightwing politicians have used what they call “anti-American” literature as a campaign talking point, ramping up fears about books “indoctrinating” students into progressive values as a conservative rallying cry.
“We started seeing more politicians get involved at the state level, trying to support members of these communities who were mobilizing to censor books in schools,” Friedman said. “Now, in 2025, we’re seeing these efforts not only continue at the state level but also being discussed for implementation at the federal level.”“We started seeing more politicians get involved at the state level, trying to support members of these communities who were mobilizing to censor books in schools,” Friedman said. “Now, in 2025, we’re seeing these efforts not only continue at the state level but also being discussed for implementation at the federal level.”
PEN America has tracked more than 10,000 public school book bans in the 2023-2024 school year alone. The data is collected through news reports, school board records and legislative tracking.PEN America has tracked more than 10,000 public school book bans in the 2023-2024 school year alone. The data is collected through news reports, school board records and legislative tracking.
The bans show a clear pattern of targeting authors of color, women and members of the LGBTQ+ community. Books that educate about racism, gender and history are most often the recipient of relentless censorship attempts.The bans show a clear pattern of targeting authors of color, women and members of the LGBTQ+ community. Books that educate about racism, gender and history are most often the recipient of relentless censorship attempts.
Unsurprisingly, red states on average show higher instances of book bans. Florida has by far the highest number of book bans in the past year, with 4,561 instances of banned books across 33 school districts. Banned titles include Beloved by Toni Morrison, Normal People by Sally Rooney and Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut.Unsurprisingly, red states on average show higher instances of book bans. Florida has by far the highest number of book bans in the past year, with 4,561 instances of banned books across 33 school districts. Banned titles include Beloved by Toni Morrison, Normal People by Sally Rooney and Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut.
These bans have reportedly cost districts between $34,000 and $135,000 a year.These bans have reportedly cost districts between $34,000 and $135,000 a year.
Ron DeSantis, the governor of Florida, has been a leading architect of banning books that don’t align with his political agenda. Much like Trump, he has referred to the book bans as a “hoax” despite the clear evidence and his direct involvement.Ron DeSantis, the governor of Florida, has been a leading architect of banning books that don’t align with his political agenda. Much like Trump, he has referred to the book bans as a “hoax” despite the clear evidence and his direct involvement.
it is.
Friedman says book bans are often an early sign of authoritarianism. One of the most infamous examples is Nazi Germany’s mass book burnings, but Mussolini and many other dictators, including leaders of the Soviet Union and communist China, have utilized similar strategies of cultural censorship and intellectual suppression.Friedman says book bans are often an early sign of authoritarianism. One of the most infamous examples is Nazi Germany’s mass book burnings, but Mussolini and many other dictators, including leaders of the Soviet Union and communist China, have utilized similar strategies of cultural censorship and intellectual suppression.
And often, the more subtle the censorship, the more effective it is.And often, the more subtle the censorship, the more effective it is.
“When someone wants to downplay a book being banned, they won’t call it a ban,” Friedman said. “That’s why certain cases don’t make the news.”“When someone wants to downplay a book being banned, they won’t call it a ban,” Friedman said. “That’s why certain cases don’t make the news.”
The act of banning a book will often be referred to as an appropriate “removal” or “withdrawal” of material. This has a far less threatening ring to it than “censorship”.The act of banning a book will often be referred to as an appropriate “removal” or “withdrawal” of material. This has a far less threatening ring to it than “censorship”.
“The whole principle of public education is that it is not supposed to be dictated by particular ideologies that aim to censor what other people can learn and access in schools,” Friedman added.“The whole principle of public education is that it is not supposed to be dictated by particular ideologies that aim to censor what other people can learn and access in schools,” Friedman added.
And what isn’t discussed enough, Friedman argues, is the distinction between classrooms and school libraries. Classroom curriculum is shaped by a mix of state guidelines and the expertise and discretion of the educators. But public libraries, including public school libraries, are historically protected spaces for free access to ideas.And what isn’t discussed enough, Friedman argues, is the distinction between classrooms and school libraries. Classroom curriculum is shaped by a mix of state guidelines and the expertise and discretion of the educators. But public libraries, including public school libraries, are historically protected spaces for free access to ideas.
The landmark case Pico v Island Trees established that the discretionary power of school boards is second to the first amendment. In other words, school boards cannot restrict the availability of books in their libraries simply because they don’t like or agree with the content.The landmark case Pico v Island Trees established that the discretionary power of school boards is second to the first amendment. In other words, school boards cannot restrict the availability of books in their libraries simply because they don’t like or agree with the content.
“The library is meant to be a place where people can access ideas and information in an unfettered manner, an uncensored manner,” Friedman said. “So, we have to be thoughtful in how we regulate libraries versus classrooms.“The library is meant to be a place where people can access ideas and information in an unfettered manner, an uncensored manner,” Friedman said. “So, we have to be thoughtful in how we regulate libraries versus classrooms.
“But nobody benefits from classrooms where teachers are afraid of answering students’ questions and where students are afraid of asking certain questions.”“But nobody benefits from classrooms where teachers are afraid of answering students’ questions and where students are afraid of asking certain questions.”