During the last school year, over 10,000 instances of books being removed from schools were reported, affecting 4,218 titles, with a disproportionate number of bans targeting books featuring people of color or LGBTQ characters. The bans particularly impacted genres like history and biographies. The report from PEN America highlighted that 36% of banned titles featured people of color and 25% included LGBTQ characters, with a significant portion of LGBTQ titles featuring transgender or genderqueer characters. Additionally, 10% of the banned titles included characters with disabilities. The report emphasized that targeted censorship like this erases the stories and histories of marginalized communities and undermines the purpose of having diverse library collections.
Book bans, often led by parents and conservative activists, have been increasing, with more than 1,600 books banned in schools during the 2021 school year. The analysis also revealed that picture books and genres like realistic fiction, dystopia, history, and biography were among the top banned categories. In addition, books featuring multiple marginalized identities were more likely to be banned. The report also pointed out the impact on LGBTQ children and families, noting that over 60% of banned picture books featured LGBTQ characters or themes.
Critics argue that restricting access to information harms students’ ability to learn, promotes discrimination, and prevents students from seeing themselves reflected in literature. Educational institutions have become a battleground for these bans, particularly around topics related to race and sexuality. The report highlights the importance of access to diverse literature for all students, including those from marginalized communities.
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