A text by Félicia Latour
In the United States, in the state of New Jerseya new law has just emerged to prevent certain Books from being banned in libraries and to defend the librarians who share them.
Why is it important?
For some time now, people across the United States have wanted to remove books from libraries because they think they cover sensitive subjects, such as slavery, gender equality or the rights of people +.
Several signs in the parade called for books not to be banned.
Photo : - / Catherine Moreau
I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say that lives are at stake, that these books are so important to people, and that librarians are trusted guardians who ensure that what is on the shelves of a library has been selected and is appropriate.
– Andrew ZwickerDemocratic Senator from the State of New Jersey
10 046
Here is the number of books banned in the United States during the last school year, a figure that has triple compared to the previous year.
Source : A report from PEN AmericaNew window an organization that advocates for literary access
Some books that have already been banned
Some of the books banned or threatened with ban by school boards in the United States
Photo: - / Frédéric Arnould
Why is it serious to ban books?
When we ban a book, it’s like we’re preventing ideas from being shared. We call it censure. Censorship can create injustice because often banned books speak to groups of people who have long been ignored or misunderstood, such as people of color, neurodivergent or LGBTQ+.
States that have passed laws to prevent book banning include: New Jerseythe California, l’Illinoisthe Marylandthe Minnesota and theState of Washington.
With information from PEN America and Stateline
