Since we first sounded the alarm on Gov. DeSantis’ escalating crusade to ban books, even more beloved titles have been challenged in school districts across Florida, prompting the authors themselves to take notice and speak out.
This situation is only getting worse.
Last week, the Florida Board of Education convened for rulemaking around HB 1069, legislation Gov. DeSantis enacted to further intimidate librarians and teachers and embolden individuals pursuing objections to books and the accurate teaching of history.
Even while a title is under review, it’s removed from circulation. In Orange County, books like Catch-22, The Kite Runner, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, & The Color Purple are being challenged, while in Clay County, Flowers for Algernon and The Handmaid’s Tale have been removed from all school libraries.
Making matters worse, at the same Board of Education meeting these efforts were pursued, new standards were approved for teaching African American history that requires a curriculum including “how slaves developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit,” despite overwhelming public outcry. We know the truth: free states don’t ban books, and they don’t whitewash history.
We’re counting on you to help us shine the spotlight on Gov. DeSantis and his legislative allies’ anti-freedom and anti-education book banning crusade by forwarding this email to others and sharing the social media posts below.
P.S. – The Banned Book Project by the Digital Public Library of America is giving readers access to e-books as they get banned at thebannedbookclub.info.
P.P.S.- Be sure to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, and our allies Florida Watch on Instagram and TikTok to learn more ways you can help in this fight against book bans.
