The author’s article would make you think at an ABA sponsored event only authors from the designated affinity groups would be represented when that really isn’t true. These are efforts to make more voices heard not less. No one is saying you shouldn’t walk away going, “that was a great book”, but there is nothing wrong with making an eff…
The author’s article would make you think at an ABA sponsored event only authors from the designated affinity groups would be represented when that really isn’t true. These are efforts to make more voices heard not less. No one is saying you shouldn’t walk away going, “that was a great book”, but there is nothing wrong with making an effort to diversify your reading. Especially when so many important BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ authors are being so heavily censored.
The challenge, as always, is you're often selecting people based on a declared identity and not always on merit or ability. Unless the program is extended in some way, people will be excluded or left out. And the declared identity filter is the easiest way to accomplish this.
Personally I select what I read based on subject or genre. I don't care a bit what label the author happens to hang on themselves. In fact I often avoid reading the author blurb entirely until I'm done with the book. That also means I'm not likely to see authors who are shelved based on whatever colored triangle they happen to have slapped on themselves.
“Especially when so many important BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ authors are being so heavily censored.”
I agree, there is nothing wrong with making an effort to diversify your reading, but I was confused by your last sentence. I would concede those authors may be underrepresented, but how are they being censored?
Books like Gender Queer and All Boys Aren’t Blue being banned. As well as classic authors like Toni Morrison, James Baldwin, and Ralph Ellison being banned. Not sure how you can overlook this trend.
I don’t agree with banning books. I don’t think it’s a healthy way to object to ideas. That said, I don’t see any large movement successfully banning anything you mentioned in the 2020’s. Bans and Challenges are two different things. I don’t know a single current high school kid who hasn’t heard of or read Toni Morrison. The two books you mention are intended for high school aged teens & older (depending which source you read). Parents of middle school kids who object /question material that is not age appropriate being in a middle school library is not censorship. The Public libraries are a free resource for any kid/teen where they can find the books/ authors you mention, save for a few exceptions. Most high schools no longer have libraries; they have become “media centers” with few actual books available (which is sad, but a different topic), so though I disagree with bans for that age group, any in effect in public high-schools do not have much impact. If we hope to change hearts & minds so that people don’t reflexively reach for book banning when they become frightened, the ABA & ACLU would do well to refrain from the behavior they claim to be against.
The author’s article would make you think at an ABA sponsored event only authors from the designated affinity groups would be represented when that really isn’t true. These are efforts to make more voices heard not less. No one is saying you shouldn’t walk away going, “that was a great book”, but there is nothing wrong with making an effort to diversify your reading. Especially when so many important BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ authors are being so heavily censored.
The challenge, as always, is you're often selecting people based on a declared identity and not always on merit or ability. Unless the program is extended in some way, people will be excluded or left out. And the declared identity filter is the easiest way to accomplish this.
Personally I select what I read based on subject or genre. I don't care a bit what label the author happens to hang on themselves. In fact I often avoid reading the author blurb entirely until I'm done with the book. That also means I'm not likely to see authors who are shelved based on whatever colored triangle they happen to have slapped on themselves.
“Especially when so many important BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ authors are being so heavily censored.”
I agree, there is nothing wrong with making an effort to diversify your reading, but I was confused by your last sentence. I would concede those authors may be underrepresented, but how are they being censored?
Books like Gender Queer and All Boys Aren’t Blue being banned. As well as classic authors like Toni Morrison, James Baldwin, and Ralph Ellison being banned. Not sure how you can overlook this trend.
I don’t agree with banning books. I don’t think it’s a healthy way to object to ideas. That said, I don’t see any large movement successfully banning anything you mentioned in the 2020’s. Bans and Challenges are two different things. I don’t know a single current high school kid who hasn’t heard of or read Toni Morrison. The two books you mention are intended for high school aged teens & older (depending which source you read). Parents of middle school kids who object /question material that is not age appropriate being in a middle school library is not censorship. The Public libraries are a free resource for any kid/teen where they can find the books/ authors you mention, save for a few exceptions. Most high schools no longer have libraries; they have become “media centers” with few actual books available (which is sad, but a different topic), so though I disagree with bans for that age group, any in effect in public high-schools do not have much impact. If we hope to change hearts & minds so that people don’t reflexively reach for book banning when they become frightened, the ABA & ACLU would do well to refrain from the behavior they claim to be against.