Global InformationBook censorship in the United States information
Book censorship is the removal, suppression, or restricted circulation of literary, artistic, or educational material on the grounds that it is morally or otherwise objectionable according to the standards applied by the censor.[1] The first instance of book censorship in what is now known as the United States, took place in 1637 in modern-day Quincy, Massachusetts.[2][3] While specific titles caused bouts of book censorship, with Uncle Tom’s Cabin frequently cited as the first book subject to a national ban, censorship of reading materials and their distribution remained sporadic in the United States until the Comstock Laws in 1873.[4] It was in the early 20th century that book censorship became a more common practice and source of public debate.[5] Throughout the 20th and early 21st centuries there have been waves of attempts at widespread book censorship in the US. Since 2022, the country has seen a dramatic increase of attempted and successful censorship, with a 63% rise in reported cases between 2022 and 2023, including a substantial rise in challenges filed to hundreds of books at a time.[6][7] In recent years, about three-fourths of books subject to censorship in the US are for children, pre-teenagers, and teenagers.[8]
In the debate over book censorship in the United States, "freedom to read" proponents cite traditions and legal precedent building upon the Constitution of the United States, particularly the First, Fourth, and Fourteenth Amendments.[9][10][11][12] Much of the justification for censorship over the years has cenetered on definitions of obscenity and questions about the perceived moral qualities of various books’ content.[13][14][15][16]
Today, the target of book censorship may be either a print, electronic, or audiobook, or a curriculum that includes such sources.[17][6][18] Targeted texts may be held by a business such as a bookstore; a library, either a public library or one located in a school or university; or the school or university as a whole.[19] The entity requesting censorship may be an organization, private individual, or government official.[19]
Several professional organizations advocate for the freedom to read, including the American Library Association (ALA), the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE), and the American Booksellers Association. [20][21][22] Organizations that advocate for removing books from access include Moms for Liberty, No Left Turn for Education, and MassResistance.[23][13] [24][16]
- ^ Reichman, Henry (1993). Censorship and Selection: Issues and Answers for Schools. Revised. Chicago: ALA Books. ISBN 978-0-8389-0798-6.
- ^ Magazine, Smithsonian; Connolly, Colleen. "How America's First Banned Book Survived and Became an Anti-Authoritarian Icon". Smithsonian Magazine. Retrieved 2024-05-02.
- ^ Cohen, Matt (2021). "Review of The Trials of Thomas Morton: An Anglican Lawyer, His Puritan Foes, and the Battle for a New England". Early American Literature. 56 (3): 931–936. ISSN 0012-8163.
- ^ Blakemore, Erin (2023-04-24). "The history of book bans—and their changing targets—in the U.S." National Geographic. Retrieved 2024-04-25.
- ^ Brady, Amy (2016-09-22). "The History (and Present) of Banning Books in America". Literary Hub. Retrieved 2024-04-25.
- ^ a b Italie, Hillel. "New censorship report finds that over 4,000 books were targeted in US libraries in 2023". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2024-04-25.
- ^ Smith, Tovia (2024-03-14). "American Library Association report says book challenges soared in 2023". National Public Radio. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
- ^ Creamer, Ella (2023-09-22). "'Eating away at democracy': book bans in US public schools rise by a third in a year". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-04-27.
- ^ American Library Association (2008-06-13). "First Amendment and Censorship". American Library Association. Retrieved 2024-04-25.
- ^ "The Freedom to Read | ACLU of Oregon". www.aclu-or.org. 2013-09-20. Retrieved 2024-04-25.
- ^ "From Iowa to Florida, national lawsuits against local book bans begin to gain traction". Los Angeles Times. 2024-01-11. Retrieved 2024-04-25.
- ^ Magazine, Smithsonian; Klimek, Chris. "A Brief History of Banned Books in America". Smithsonian Magazine. Retrieved 2024-04-27.
- ^ a b Schaper, Arthur (2023-05-20). "Op-ed: MassResistance continues fight". News and Sentinel (Parkersburg, WV). Retrieved 2024-04-27.
- ^ Steele, Jennifer. (2020). A History of Censorship in the United States. Journal of Intellectual Freedom and Privacy. 5. 6-19.
- ^ "Banned Book FAQ". American Library Asociation. 2016-10-25. Retrieved 2024-04-26.
- ^ a b Wood, Sarah (2022-05-17). "Book Bans: What to Know". US News and World Report. Retrieved 2024-04-20.
- ^ Ferri, Catherine E. (2024-02-26). "Book Banning Goes Digital: Libraries Suspending Their E-Book Services and the Complications It Poses for First Amendment Doctrine" (PDF). Stanford Technology Law Review. 27: 127–179.
- ^ Gadd, Chris (2022-09-19). "Williamson County library backs 'Banned Book Week' after schools remove book". The Tennessean. Retrieved 2024-04-26.
- ^ a b Webb, Susan L. (2023-08-08). "Book Banning". The Free Speech Center at Middle Tennissee State University. Retrieved 2024-04-25.
- ^ "Freedom to Teach: Statement against Banning Books". National Council of Teachers of English. Retrieved 2024-04-26.
- ^ CARMICHAEL, J (2023-10-11). "Books for All: Protect the Freedom to Read in Your Community". American Library Association. Retrieved 2024-04-26.
- ^ "Banned Books Week". the American Booksellers Association. Retrieved 2024-04-26.
- ^ Jacques, Melissa (2024-04-08). "Pornography in school libraries? Moms for Liberty shares Ryan Walters' cause célèbre". Tulsa World. Retrieved 2024-04-27.
- ^ Pendharkar, Eesha (2022-09-19). "Who's Behind the Escalating Push to Ban Books? A New Report Has Answers". Education Week. ISSN 0277-4232. Retrieved 2024-04-27.