Book bans are affecting Black writers at alarming rates.
According to a recent report by NBC News, there have been dozens of Black authors who have had their works of art pulled from school libraries due to conservative groups and their stance on critical race theory.
Censorship has been taken to an all-new level with the ban of certain books across the nation and should make us all wonder at what point is enough, enough?
The Ban On Books
Critical Race Theory continues to be a leading argument when it comes to what’s taught within the American school system. The fight continues as more legislation comes through with the ban of certain literature that many conservatives deem are unfit for schools.
Texas Republican, Rep. Matt Krause, made headlines last year for a list of hundreds of books that he believed made students “feel discomfort.” The move, however, has less to do with the students, but more to do with adults who are uncomfortable with the realities of how racism continues to plague the nation.
Per the report, at least nine states (mostly in Republican areas), have passed laws that prevent educators from teaching racism within the classroom.
Black Authors Impacted By The Bans
Among the titles that surfaced in the report are Jerry Craft’s “New Kid and Class Act.“ After learning that some of his work had been pulled from a school library in Texas, Craft reveals that a class visit was also postponed thanks to a decision made by the Katy Independent School District.
“I was caught off guard,” said the Newbery Medal-winning author. “I felt bad for the kids because I know how much they love ‘New Kid’ and ‘Class Act’.I know what my school visits do. … I felt bad if there was going to be some kids that would not be able to take advantage of that.”
Other literature impacted by the bans includes Tiffany D. Jackson’s “Monday’s Not Coming,” Mikki Kendall’s “Hood Feminism,” Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely’s “All American Boys,” and Kalynn Bayron’s “Cinderella Is Dead.”
