Book Banning Explained: Why Books on Race, Sexuality, and Mental Health Are Targeted

Year after year, the books that receive the most complaints contain similar themes, including those about race, sexuality (specifically LGBTQ+), mental health, social inequality, and the various divisions within society. From the classic To Kill A Mockingbird to the more recent Drama, the books that reflect the author's and/or reader's life experiences are the ones that are usually challenged the most. When people complain about these types of books, they usually do so because they are uncomfortable confronting reality with children as an audience.

Table of Contents

1. Why Certain Themes Trigger Book Challenges

2. A Look Back at Frequently Challenged Classics

3. Modern Titles Under Scrutiny

4. Why the Pattern Continues

5. Storytelling Insights

6. Summary Thoughts

7. FAQs

Why Certain Themes Trigger Book Challenges

Books that create a stir are the ones that ask readers to discuss issues that would normally not be addressed. Books that deal with racism, identity, or emotional pain typically violate many readers' historical understanding of the way we interact with each other and create discomfort for the reader. Often, the objections come from a limited or uninformed reading of the work, such as taking one line or scene in isolation, rather than understanding the work as a whole. Many times, the fear of the book is not so much about what is in the book but rather what it may do to the young reader (i.e., shape his/her values, build empathy, create awareness), and, as such, is something that adults may feel that they cannot control.

A Look Back at Frequently Challenged Classics

The history of book censorship has been consistent over time. As a result of racial violence, To Kill a Mockingbird has been consistently challenged and its use of period-accurate language has been cited as uncomfortable. While a cautionary tale about totalitarianism, Orwell's 1984 has also faced challenges regarding being used for political indoctrination. The Catcher In The Rye by Salinger has been identified as having excessive profanity and for the emotional challenges faced by Holden Caulfield, however, the honesty of his writing was the reason many people felt like they were being seen and understood by the book. Today, many books that were previously identified as dangerous are now considered classics and essential works of literature.

Modern Titles Under Scrutiny

 In addition to the reasons discussed above, another factor contributing to the new trends in censorship today is much faster movement of information via social media compared to the past. For example, Raina Telgemeier's Drama is one of the most challenged middle-grade novels due to including LGBTQ+ characters, no sexual content or graphic violence. Angie Thomas' The Hate U Give is a middle-grade debut that has faced challenges based on the author’s candid portrayal of both police brutality and systemic racism. Even with novels such as Adam Silvera's They Both Die at the End, there is pushback simply because of the primary focus on two male characters who identify as queer. In addition, social media has transformed one complaint into an instant organized campaign to have specific titles removed from school, library or any form of reading for children. 

Why the Pattern Continues

Censorship will continue unless society understands that literature provides power. The experience of reading allows young readers—along with everyone else—to get a sense of what life is like for people who are different than them. This ability to develop empathy toward others is frequently misinterpreted as being a threat. By requiring readers to question assumptions and recognize uncomfortable truths about the world that may not be readily apparent or acceptable to society at this time many times it is easier to ban a book than to actually address the issues illuminated by that book. The desire to control narratives reflects a deeper anxiety about shifting paradigms, identity, and the ways that the next generation will be affected by the stories they are told.

Is writing a story that challenges perspectives but does not incite controversy difficult for you?  Rolling Authors helps authors develop books that are both bold and sensitive, while still weaving together clarity of thought, attention to nuance, and narrative strength.

Whether your book addresses issues regarding race, identity, mental health, or any other topic that is often swept under the rug, we prepare your manuscript for agents, publishers, and readers who appreciate works of literature with a higher level of social awareness than what is typically available.

Storytelling Insights

Editors, librarians and educators all tell us that the most frequently challenged books are often the most important to the development of children's reading experiences. The stories of racism give children an understanding of the injustice that occurred historically and also continues to occur today. The stories of LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning/queer and other sexually diverse populations) provide a voice to individuals whose voices seldom appear in the mainstream. The stories of mental health offer safe places to discuss such things as emotional well-being. Without those stories our young readers are not being protected; they are being isolated. Literary safety is about allowing individuals to navigate the complexities of life.

Summary Thoughts

Book banning is almost never about protecting young readers, but rather about protecting the comfort levels of certain individuals. As long as there are individuals who continue to be challenged by the same themes, it will reflect the discomfort that exists within our society. The battleground for the overdue conversations we've been waiting for; from timeless classics, to modern best-sellers, we are heading straight to the heart of what books matter. The books being challenged are usually the ones that will help create more knowledgeable, compassionate, and socially aware readers, which is why those books are important.

FAQs

1. Why do many books that deal with topics like racism, sexuality, and mental health often get challenged or banned?

These types of books often reveal uncomfortable realities. Institutions, such as schools, and parent groups often deem these types of books "too sensitive," "political," or "inappropriate" for certain age groups. However, many of these books also challenge societal structures of power and introduce perspectives that may not be comfortable for many communities to accept or acknowledge yet.

2. Are book bans on the rise?

Yes. There is a growing trend in book banning based on global data from libraries, school districts, and literary watchdogs over the past five years. Many attempts to limit access to books have increased in categories related to identity, race, gender, and mental health.

3. Are most banned books still published and sold?

There are a large number of banned books that are still sold, published, and read today. Many times, people will seek out these stories regardless of the fact that others are trying to keep them silenced. Traditionally, most banned books become some of the most renowned and powerful pieces of literature.

4. Why are LGBTQ+ books targeted more than other books?

Books that feature LGBTQ+ characters and subjects are disproportionately challenged due to their challenge to traditional cultural constructs regarding sexual and gender identity. Many bans cited above for being based on false information, a state of morality panic, and/or due to limiting the representation of those which appear and are a typical experience for real people.

5. Is it just contemporary selections that continue to be challenged or are classic selections still receiving similar responses?

Both. Classic works such as "To Kill a Mockingbird" continue to be repeatedly challenged due to their use of racial language and portrayal of injustice, while contemporary novels such as "Drama" by Raina Telgemeier are challenged over their portrayal of LGBTQ+ characters. Censorship isn't limited to a certain period or time frame; rather, censorship is generally based upon the representation of certain themes.

The stories that have shaped civilizations; they have changed people's views of their norms, challenged their views of power in their society, and given voice to the stories that so many of us struggle to express. Behind every powerful book are authors who chose to speak out and stand up for what they believed in.

If you feel the need to create a book that will ignite conversations, challenge the status quo, or encourage others to think differently; Rolling Authors wants you to know we support writers like you from a distance.