Overview
This lecture covers the significant surge in book bans across Tennessee schools, highlighting high-profile titles and the impact of recent legislative changes on library collections.
Notable Banned Titles and Authors
- Hundreds of books, including works by Mary Pope Osborne, Shel Silverstein, and Bill Watterson, have been banned from Tennessee school libraries.
- Ban lists also include Judy Blume, Sarah J. Maas, Eric Carle, Kurt Vonnegut, and classic works by Harper Lee and John Steinbeck.
- Specific banned books include "Magic Tree House: Ancient Greece and the Olympics," "A Light in the Attic," "Calvin and Hobbes," "To Kill a Mockingbird," and "The Grapes of Wrath."
- Holocaust-focused books like "Maus," "The Hidden Children of the Holocaust," and "Secret Holocaust Diaries: Nonna Bannister" have been removed.
- Other frequently studied works affected: "The Bluest Eye," "Fahrenheit 451," "The Color Purple," and "The Outsiders."
Legislative and Policy Changes
- The Tennessee legislature amended the Age-Appropriate Materials Act to ban materials containing any nudity or sexual content, even in part.
- Books are now banned based on excerpts, not full context, eliminating holistic review by educators and librarians.
- Overcompliance has resulted in counties like Monroe, Knox, Rutherford, Oak Ridge, and Wilson banning hundreds of books.
Scope and Implementation of Bans
- Bans impact topics such as history, race, religion, LGBTQ+ issues, art, and gun violence.
- Many bans were enacted without review or discussion; in 20% of school districts, books were removed solely on orders from district leaders.
- Tennessee is among at least 15 states with laws broadening definitions of "sexually explicit" or "obscene," risking liability for schools.
Effects and Criticism
- The bans result in empty shelves and limit student access to diverse educational materials.
- Educators and librarians fear the trend will continue and further restrict topics available to students.
- PEN America and others argue the bans harm students and challenge the removal of books on vague or ambiguous grounds.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Book ban — Removing or restricting access to books based on content considered inappropriate by authorities.
- Age-Appropriate Materials Act — Tennessee law defining what content is suitable for students in schools.
- Overcompliance — Removing more materials than required by law, often out of caution or fear of penalties.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review details of the Age-Appropriate Materials Act and its amendments for class discussion.
- Read about the impact of book bans in other states for comparison.
- Prepare to debate the effects of censorship versus educational freedom in schools.