Beyond the Pages: The Political Landscape of School Book Bans
In recent years, bans on books containing certain categories of content in school libraries have become increasingly common, with states like Florida leading the charge. The issue raises an ever-present question in American politics: What exactly is free speech, and what censorship, if any, should be allowed of it?
Proponents of Book Bans in Schools
“Book bans” are pieces of legislation that prohibit certain literature from being offered through public elementary and high schools. Books like ‘Gender Queer’ and ‘This Book Is Gay’ have been the subject of viral school board meetings and subsequent laws prohibiting similar content in schools in conservative-leaning states like Florida and Texas, with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis widely being accepted as the leader of the movement. Here is a list of currently banned books by state.
Groups Supporting Book Bans in Schools
Opponents of Book Bans in Schools
Opponents of book bans in schools assert that “banning” content is an explicit violation of students’ 1st Amendment Rights and that book bans censor minority voices. A commonly cited example of overreach is Florida’s banning of And Tango Makes Three, a cartoon retelling of the true story of two male penguins raising a penguin chick together at the Central Park Zoo. Opponents believe that the claims of supporters of explicit and damaging content in schools is overplayed.
Groups Opposing Book Bans in Schools
