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How to Fight Book Bans and Win
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How to Fight Book Bans and Win

Alyssa Rosenberg
The Washington Post, 2023
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Editorial Rating

8

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  • Controversial
  • Applicable
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Recommendation

Washington Post reporter Alyssa Rosenberg explains how to take an active role in opposing state and municipal book bans. National organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), American Library Association and PEN America are working to thwart book banning legislation and to get signatures for anti-censorship petitions. To object to a possible book ban, Rosenberg reports, always show up at relevant public meetings. Target your message locally. Focus on how bans waste money from increased municipal insurance to courtroom defenses. You can protest bans’ impact on education, literary freedom and parental choices, but to stop a book ban from happening, go for pocketbook issues.

Take-Aways

  • Most people surveyed say that banning some books could affect “educationally important” books.
  • When fighting censorship in your community, rely on action and information that will resonate locally.
  • Resources from national organizations and debates on pocketbook issues can provide a foothold for local anti-censorship efforts.

About the Author

Alyssa Redmond is a Washington Post columnist who writes about culture, parenting and gender. She previously wrote for Slate and The Atlantic.com.

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