Book bans in America are rising. Here's a look at what's lost.

The Rise in Book Challenges and Bans

The video examines the rise in book challenges and bans in the United States. The American Library Association reported that more than 1,500 books were challenged or banned by schools, libraries, and universities in 2021, up from 273 in 2020.

Most targeted books were written by or about LGBTQIA+ people or Black people. Even children’s books, including Antiracist Baby by Ibram X. Kendi, have drawn criticism.

A History of Book Banning

Book banning has a long history in the United States, often targeting works about slavery, segregation, and racism. The video points to To Kill a Mockingbird as a classic that was once frequently challenged but is now widely taught. Current campaigns target both classic novels and newer books.

Reasons for Challenges

Parents and politicians commonly cite profanity, sexual or racial content, and alleged political indoctrination as reasons for seeking book removals. Interviewees argue that such efforts can turn public anxieties about social change into political rallying points.

Teachers and librarians note that newer books often explore enduring themes such as love, friendship, identity, and conflict, while featuring characters and experiences that some readers have rarely seen represented.

Effects of Removing Diverse Books

The speakers warn that removing diverse books can leave children without stories that reflect their own lives and deprive other readers of opportunities to understand different perspectives. They describe books as tools for learning, representation, and empathy, and argue that censorship risks undermining these benefits.

Presenters and Contributors

• Ibram X. Kendi
• Senator Ted Cruz
• Other interviewees, including educators, librarians, and a school-district parent or community member, are not identified by name in the subtitles.