California Pushes Back on the Book Banning Movement

KQED's Forum

KQED

News Commentary, News, Politics

4.2 • 727 Ratings

🗓️ 21 June 2023

⏱️ 56 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Earlier this month, amid a sharp rise in book bans across the country, Governor Gavin Newsom called on educators to preserve students’ access to books, including those that “reflect the diverse experiences and perspectives of Californians.” Individual book bans in U.S. classrooms and school libraries increased by 28 percent during the first half of this school year compared to the prior six months, according to a report by the free speech group PEN America. The increase is partly due to newly-enacted state laws, and the bans “continue to target stories by and about people of color and LGBTQ+ individuals,” according to PEN. While rare in California, book battles are percolating in Temecula and Huntington Beach. We talk about the impact of book bans on free expression and students’ access to literature and diverse perspectives Guests: Deborah Caldwell-Stone, Director, American Library Association Office for Intellectual Freedom - and executive director of the Freedom to Read Foundation Jaea Rivera, officer, Vandegrift High School Banned Book Club - in Austin, Texas. George M. Johnson, award-winning author of "All Boys Aren't Blue" and "We Are Not Broken" Jeff Horseman, Riverside County government and regional politics reporter, Southern California News Group Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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0:43.1	From KQED.
1:00.4	From KQED in San Francisco, I'm Marisa Lagos in for Alexis Madrigal.
1:10.3	Book banning is on the rise in the U.S., driven in large part by organized campaigns by conservative and religious groups, and aided by recently enacted state laws. One of those laws in Arkansas
1:12.1	could send librarians and booksellers to prison for providing certain books. And among the most
1:17.6	targeted books are those dealing with racial equity and LGBTQ themes. Next on form, we're going to get
1:23.6	the latest on book battles in California and across the country, and we want to hear from you.
1:28.9	Do you have concerns about what your child is reading?
1:31.5	Or did a book change your life at a young age?
1:33.9	Let us know.
1:34.7	That's coming up after this news.
1:51.1	Welcome to Forum. I'm Risa Lagos and for Alexis Madrigal.
	...

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