{"id":112893,"date":"2022-09-30T09:10:29","date_gmt":"2022-09-30T14:10:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/news.olemiss.edu\/?p=112893"},"modified":"2022-10-01T23:29:57","modified_gmt":"2022-10-02T04:29:57","slug":"banning-books-threatens-freedom-of-speech","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/web20.olemiss.edu\/news\/wordpress\/banning-books-threatens-freedom-of-speech\/","title":{"rendered":"Banning Books Threatens Freedom of Speech"},"content":{"rendered":"

The number of books banned from libraries and schools across the nation is on the rise, according to a new report by PEN America<\/a>. That is why a University of Mississippi<\/a> librarian says the conversation around censorship is as relevant as ever.<\/p>\n

Over the last year, the number of books banned or under investigation exceeded 1,500, according to the nonprofit, which works to defend free speech. The report <\/span>found 22 instances of book bans in Mississippi.<\/span><\/a> <\/span><\/p>\n

Among the authors targeted are Margaret Atwood, Toni Morrison, Judy Blume and John Green, who spoke at the university’s 2022 Fall Convocation. <\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Melissa Dennis<\/p><\/div>\n

“It’s alarming to librarians because it’s a threat to freedom of speech,” said Melissa Dennis, head of research and instruction services at the University Libraries<\/a>. “If you want to shield your own eyes \u2013 fine. If you want to shield the eyes of your children \u2013 fine. <\/span><\/p>\n

“But wanting to remove something from the public because it doesn’t align with your personal views? That infringes on the rights of others.” <\/span><\/p>\n

Dennis led a workshop on Sept. 21 during national Banned Books Week on how banning books harms a society that prides itself on free speech. <\/span><\/p>\n

The books most banned are those concerning LGBTQ and racial themes, she said. PEN America’s report notes that one in three books under scrutiny deals with LGBTQ+ topics. Additionally, 41% of those works feature protagonists of color. <\/span><\/p>\n

“These are demands for things to be hidden,” Dennis said. “And there is a real strong theme here: race and LGBTQ issues. It’s so discouraging.” <\/span><\/p>\n

While most book bans originate from parents and community members, PEN America reports a rise in politically motivated bans. <\/span><\/p>\n

Diversity of opinion, thought and perspective is what makes an informed society, Dennis said. If we continue to ban the things we disagree with, we’ll lose that diversity. <\/span><\/p>\n

“We can’t grow as a society if we are diluting that learning,” she said. “When you see something you don’t like, stay away from it. You don’t try to take it away from everyone else.” <\/span><\/p>\n

The University Libraries’ fall lineup of events is available <\/span>here<\/span><\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The number of books banned from libraries and schools across the nation is on the rise, according to a new report by PEN America. That is why a University of Mississippi librarian says the conversation around censorship is as relevant as ever. Over the last year, the number of books banned or under investigation exceededRead the story …<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":101,"featured_media":112935,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[899],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nBanning Books Threatens Freedom of Speech - Ole Miss News<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"http:\/\/news.olemiss.edu\/banning-books-threatens-freedom-of-speech\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Banning Books Threatens Freedom of Speech - Ole Miss News\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The number of books banned from libraries and schools across the nation is on the rise, according to a new report by PEN America. That is why a University of Mississippi librarian says the conversation around censorship is as relevant as ever. 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