StI am more and more the “banned” books in the United States and more and more States are engaged in an authentic race for censorship that risks eroding everyone’s freedom. There are already 7 states, in fact, that have passed laws that punish with heavy fines, but even imprisonment, who supplies texts not allowed to minors. And another 20 already have similar rules in the works.
More and more books censored, what happens in America
The photograph of what is happening is clearly observable from the results of the report entitled “Banned in the USA: The Growing Movement to Censor Books in Schools“, published by Pen America, the nonprofit literary organization focused on free speech.
In April they were well 2253 titles bannedbut the account must be updated constantly, given that an average of 100 new ones are added per month.
Margaret Atwood’s novel is one of the censored books (Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images)
Disobedient librarians risk prison
What is worrying is that librarians who continue to keep copies of such books on their shelves or even worse continue to provide them to minors, depending on the state, they could get treatment like real criminals.
In Oklahoma, for example, they risk up to 10 years in prison, in Arkansas 6. In Indiana, Missouri and North Dakota about two years in prison and an average fine of 15,000 dollars. In Tennessee only fines, but very expensive up to 100 thousand dollars.
From classes to novels, which books are censored
But what are the books put on the index? Also according to the report, 41% of the banned titles explicitly deal with LGBTQ+ themes or have characters who recognize themselves as such. 40 percent have African-American protagonists. The 21st addresses America’s racist past.
Among the banned books are numerous classics, of course. As an example, Peter Pan of JMBarrie that would be racist, Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov pornographic and even a comic version of The Diary of Anne Frank where in the background of some tables naked statues can be seen.
But there are, of course, several novels: from The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood o The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini banned because “promotes Islam” And “sympathize with terrorists”.
Who puts more books on the index
The greatest number of censures was made by the Texas with 801 titles bannedfollowed by the Florida with 566 and the Pennsylvania “stops” at 457. At least 50 conservative organizations are fighting for the bans, often close to representatives of the Republican party.
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