By Claire Henderson, 16
Book banning as an idea and action has been around for centuries. It’s a key piece to many parts of history; restricting information from the masses to keep a current group in power, to ensure undesired information is not spread, and new ideas snuffed out. Most commonly, these books all happened to be on topics that leaders found discomfort, or downright disagreement with; The Bible, banned during Diocletian rule because they had disagreed with that religion, Nazi book burnings, any single book that had to do with another opinion was rid from libraries, homes, and schools. Even Drama, a graphic novel written by Raina Telgemeier for speaking on the topic of sexuality. But most commonly, one will find these books and difficult topics that spark discomfort often are a necessity to learning and growing, to becoming a more understanding and mindful person.
Oftentimes, when a person finds themselves to be uncomfortable with something, particularly information, they pause that learning, that intake, and simply choose to remain ignorant. While this option certainly sounds appealing, it can greatly inhibit a person’s growth and empathy for others. In Round Rock ISD, an attempt to discontinue the teaching of Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi’s Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You, a parent had made a complaint, claiming that the book was ““Inappropriate instructional material”” (Salazar KVUE). They then challenged the book at all three levels, eventually making it past campus and district levels, to the Board of Trustees. This “inappropriate instructional material” in question was a book “that contains history. A history directly connected to our lives as we live them right this minute” (Reynolds and Kendi 2). The only difference was that this book specifically focused on race. Looking at racism in the past and current day, a book that truly helped further the understanding of racist lines of thinking, of how to take accountability for them and actively change one’s thoughts. Through exploring material that makes one uneasy,a person can actually become more comfortable. This sounds like a paradox, but in reality, through choosing to discover and learn over ignoring and declining, people can encourage their brain to grow, their mindset to change. In whole, this leads to an increase of open mindedness and simply general understanding. And most people know that when one understands a topic, they feel more at ease talking about it. That is why discussions like this— like Stamped and race and sexuality and gender are so important; they further society. A tree cannot grow when locked in a shed without sun, or it can grow, but it will be malnourished and weak. People need their water; information and knowledge, their nutrients; understanding, and their sunlight; perhaps the most important part. To step out into the sun, to step out sometimes into that intense, blinding, deeply uncomfortable light and truly grow in mind and heart. Because while ignorance can certainly be blissful, it is most important to challenge one’s comfort zone, for that is the only way it can be grown.
Knowledge is power, a very common moral and lesson in many children’s shows and books, said and repeated so many times it has nearly lost its meaning. But it is essential to remember the strength in staying educated, especially as governments and school districts begin their attempt to remove certain books from the public eye under the guise of “protecting children.” At times like this, one must remember to not let someone else take away their own power. Reading is the door to understanding and growth, movement and fresh ideas, it lures people outside of their own comfort zones, encourages awareness and sparks accountability. Keep and utilize this knowledge, discuss this discomfort, because at times, this is the most powerful thing one can do.
Works Cited
Kendi, Ibram X., and Jason Reynolds. Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You Ibram X. Kendi and Jason Reynolds. Little, Brown and Company, 2020.
Salazar, Mari. “Round Rock ISD Parents Fight to Keep Book about Racism on Reading List | Kvue.Com.” KVUE, Feb. 2021, www.kvue.com/article/news/education/schools/round-rock-isd-racism-book-reading-list/269-bce13f05-ff7c-436c-880e-44c1c4dbf37a.
Save the Books is a teen-led project organized by the Austin Public Library and funded by the Library Foundation that focuses on increasing student discussions about intellectual freedoms. This year, the Austin Public Library launched its inaugural Op-Ed contest, inviting students aged 14 to 18 to submit entries on “What the Freedom to Read Means to Me.” Children’s Defense Fund and Children’s Defense Fund-Texas is posting the three top op-eds on our website as part of our efforts to #ProtectTheFreedomToRead.