Authors of top banned books discuss censorship | ABCNL
Summary
TLDRThe video transcript discusses the issue of book banning, particularly focusing on books with queer themes, which are among the top targets for censorship in schools and libraries across the US. Authors George M. Johnson and Mike Curado, whose books 'All Boys Aren't Blue' and 'Flamer' respectively are on the list of most banned books, join a conversation to address concerns about the appropriateness of these books for young adults. They argue that these books provide essential resources and narratives for teens navigating real-world issues, including sexual assault and identity. The authors share the positive impact their books have had on readers, emphasizing the importance of representation and providing a roadmap for queer youth. They also discuss the negative repercussions of censorship, such as erasing queer stories and sending harmful messages to LGBTQ+ teens. Strategies to combat book banning include participation in school board meetings, supporting book clubs, and using legal avenues like federal lawsuits. The authors hope that their books will instill hope and a sense of belonging in young readers, reinforcing the value of literature in shaping the next generation's understanding of a diverse and inclusive society.
Takeaways
- 📚 Band Books Week, initiated in 1982, aims to highlight book bands in the US and has recorded targeted censorship of 3,923 book titles in schools and libraries.
- 🚫 The American Library Association has noted an increase in book banning, with a focus on titles that are claimed to be sexually explicit.
- 🏳️🌈 George M. Johnson and Mike Curato are authors of two of the top five banned books, which are queer-themed and aimed at young adults.
- 📖 Johnson's book 'All Boys Aren't Blue' is a young adult non-fiction memoir that addresses growing up queer and black, including experiences of sexual assault.
- 🎨 Curato's 'Flamer' is a graphic novel for ages 14 and up, depicting a boy bullied for his appearance and challenging stereotypes about being gay.
- 🤔 Concerns raised by some parents suggest that these books are inappropriate for children and should not be in public libraries or classrooms.
- 🛡 Johnson argues that the books are not for children but for mature young adults and are necessary for them to navigate real-world issues.
- 🌐 Curato discusses the repercussions of book censorship, including the impact on queer teenagers' mental health and the message it sends about their worth.
- 💌 Both authors have received feedback from readers who feel validated and seen in their work, highlighting the importance of representation.
- 🤝 Johnson and Curato emphasize the universal impact of their books, helping not just queer youth but also adults and seniors who support them.
- 🛡 Strategies to fight book bans include legal action, public testimony, and empowering young people to organize and advocate for their right to access these books.
Q & A
What is Band Books Week and why was it started?
-Band Books Week, which started in 1982, is an initiative aimed at bringing attention to book bands in the United States. It highlights the issue of censorship and challenges to certain book titles, particularly those that are considered controversial or inappropriate by some groups.
What is the American Library Association's role in Band Books Week?
-The American Library Association records instances of targeted censorship during Band Books Week. In the year mentioned in the script, they have documented at least 3,923 book titles being challenged in over 200 schools and public libraries.
What are the top five banned books according to the American Library Association?
-The script does not provide a complete list of the top five banned books, but it mentions that 'All Boys Aren't Blue' by George M. Johnson and 'Flamer' by Mike Curato are among the most challenged books.
Why are 'All Boys Aren't Blue' and 'Flamer' considered controversial?
-'All Boys Aren't Blue' is a young adult non-fiction memoir that details the author's journey growing up queer and black, including experiences of sexual assault. 'Flamer' is a graphic novel for ages 14 and up that tells the story of a boy bullied for his appearance and challenges stereotypes of being gay. Both books are queer-themed and have been challenged for their content.
What is the argument against having these books in schools and public libraries?
-Some people, mostly parents, argue that these books are inappropriate for children and should not be in public libraries or classrooms due to their explicit content and themes.
How does George M. Johnson respond to the argument that his book is inappropriate for young readers?
-George M. Johnson argues that his book is not intended for children but for mature young adults, aged 16 to 18. He emphasizes that young adults need to read about heavier topics that affect their lives and that his book provides resources and guidance for navigating these issues.
What are the potential repercussions of banning these types of books, according to Mike Curato?
-Mike Curato suggests that book bans, especially those targeting queer stories, can send a harmful message to queer children that they are not wanted or valued. This can contribute to feelings of isolation and even increase the risk of suicide among queer teenagers.
How do authors George M. Johnson and Mike Curato receive feedback from readers of their books?
-Both authors receive feedback from readers of all ages, expressing how the books have validated their experiences and helped them see themselves represented in literature. They also receive hateful comments, but the positive impact on readers is what motivates them to continue their work.
What strategies does George M. Johnson recommend to fight against book bans?
-George M. Johnson advocates for a multi-pronged approach, including participating in federal lawsuits, attending school board meetings, providing resources and strategies to book clubs, and encouraging teenagers to use their voices and power to keep banned books on the shelves.
What message does Mike Curato hope readers, especially young readers, will take away from his book 'Flamer'?
-Mike Curato hopes that readers, particularly young ones, will feel hope and validation from his book. He wants them to know that they are normal, loved, and have a place in the world.
Outlines
🚫 Book Bans and Queer Representation
The video script discusses the issue of book banning, particularly focusing on titles that feature queer themes and are targeted for censorship in schools and libraries across the United States. The American Library Association has recorded at least 3,923 book titles being banned in over 200 schools and public libraries. Two authors, George M. Johnson and Mike Curado, whose books 'All Boys Aren't Blue' and 'Flamer' respectively are among the top five most banned, join the conversation. Johnson's book is a young adult memoir that addresses growing up as a queer, black individual and includes discussions of sexual assault, while Curado's graphic novel is aimed at teens and tackles bullying and stereotypes related to being gay. Both authors argue against the notion that their books are inappropriate for children, emphasizing that their work provides necessary resources and guidance for young adults navigating real-world challenges. They also discuss the broader implications of such censorship, including the impact on queer teenagers' mental health and the importance of representation.
🌟 Fighting Book Bans and Hope Through Literature
In the second paragraph, the conversation continues with strategies to combat book banning and the importance of hope in literature. George M. Johnson shares his personal experiences advocating for his book, which includes being part of a federal lawsuit in Florida against book bans and supporting teenagers in forming book clubs to fight for their right to access diverse literature. Mike Curado emphasizes the goal of his book 'Flamer' to provide hope and validation to young readers, especially those who may feel marginalized. Both authors stress the significance of their work in offering a blueprint for young people to navigate society and the potential repercussions of book bans, such as erasing the stories of those who need representation the most. The segment concludes with a reminder of the importance of mental health support and an invitation for viewers to engage with ABC News for more content.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Book Bans
💡Censorship
💡Queer Themes
💡Young Adult Literature
💡Sexual Assault
💡Stereotypes
💡Representation
💡Federal Lawsuit
💡School Board Meetings
💡Petitions
💡Blueprint
Highlights
Band Books Week, initiated in 1982, aims to raise awareness about book bands in the US.
The American Library Association has recorded targeted censorship of at least 3,923 book titles in over 200 schools and public libraries.
George M Johnson and Mike Curato are authors of two of the top five banned books, both dealing with themes of queerness and identity.
Concerns are raised by some parents that these books are inappropriate for children and should not be in public libraries or classrooms.
Johnson argues that the books are not for children but for mature young adults and are essential for understanding real-world issues.
Curato discusses the repercussions of censorship, including the impact on queer teenagers' mental health and feelings of invisibility.
The authors receive feedback from readers who feel validated and seen in their stories, which is crucial for representation.
Johnson's book has been influential in helping young adults recognize and address abuse, and to embark on their identity journeys.
Curato emphasizes the importance of representation for queer voices that are not usually heard in mainstream media.
Johnson shares his experience of being part of a federal lawsuit in Florida against book banning.
He encourages a multi-pronged approach to fighting book bans, including legal action, public testimony, and organizing.
Curato hopes that readers, especially queer youth, will gain hope and feel loved and normal through his book 'Flamer'.
Johnson and Curato's books serve as a blueprint for queer youth to navigate society and understand their existence.
The authors highlight the universal impact of their books, reaching not only teenagers but also senior citizens and therapists.
Banning these books erases the stories of teens who need to see themselves reflected in literature to understand their existence.
The authors grew up without representation, and their books now provide a roadmap for queer youth.
The conversation concludes with a reminder of the importance of mental health support and resources for those in distress.
Transcripts
this week is band books week which
started in 1982 to bring attention to
book bands in the US every year so far
this year the American Library
Association has recorded targeted
censorship of at least
3,923 book titles in more than 200
schools and 200 Public Libraries our
next guests are authors of two of the
top five band books all of the challenge
books on the list are claimed to be
sexually explicit George M Johnson
penned New York Times bestseller all
boys aren't blue number two on the list
and Mike curado wrote flamer number four
on the list the award-winning authors
join me now to discuss so George your
book is marketed as a young adult
non-fiction Memoir Manifesto that
follows your journey growing up queer
and black explicitly detailing sexual
assault and Mike your book is a graphic
novel that is geared toward ages 14 and
up telling the story of a boy who's
bullied for his appearance highlighting
dangerous stereotypes of being gay these
are queer themed books and they are two
of the most banned books in schools and
libraries some people mostly parents are
concerned that they're inappropriate for
children shouldn't be in public
libraries or classrooms so George I'll
start with you is that a fair
argument I would say it's not a fair
argument uh one they oftentimes will say
that these books are like for kids or
that these books are like in elementary
schools that's just not the case uh even
if you go on Amazon and you look at my
book it says for 16 to 18 year olds um
it is for the more mature
younger adult uh I think even more
importantly though is we have to realize
that these people these these young
adults will be going out into the real
world so they need to be reading about
these heavier topics that um are already
currently affecting them in their lives
I think people think our books are
introducing them to these heavier topics
they're already experiencing these
things all our books are doing is giving
them the resources and teaching them how
they will navigate those things um
throughout uh their their young
adulthood as they go off to college and
go off to becoming
adults Mike what repercussions do you
see from this type of censorship that's
happening really at a broad level right
now well I'll tell you that you know
when I was a teenager um I suffered from
depression and suicidal ideation and
right now the Cher project uh has
reported that 41% of um queer teenagers
um contemplated suicide last year so a
book ban uh in which lots of queer
stories are being targeted that sends a
clear message to queer children that
they're not wanted that uh we don't want
you here it's a form of
eraser I'm curious from both of you do
you hear from readers of these books do
you hear stories and and feedback and
concern from readers about these these
um band books Mike you first
um I've gotten you know really great
feedback from readers of all ages um and
I've also seen a lot of hateful comments
too but um you know the stories that
people told me how they feel like
validated they feel like they've seen
themselves for the first time in a book
um that's what keeps me going and that's
the reason why I made this book because
when I was a teenager I did not see
myself
um in TV in film in books um so I think
that it's so important uh to
represent um you know voices that aren't
usually
heard George talk a little bit about
your your journey to get here and and
what you hear you know as your book is
so high on this list of of ones that are
banned yeah I mean while my book was
super high on the list of being banned
it was also the number one book chosen
by team Riv teen readers through the
American Library Association so teens
are telling the parents who are trying
to ban books that no we need these
materials the things that I get to hear
are I have seen young adults who have
went in front of school boards and named
their abusers and said it was because
they read my book that they even knew
what abuse looked like um I have gotten
beautiful letters from teenagers who
have changed their names who have
decided to uh go on their identity
Journey um and also be able to talk to
their parents but even more more
beautifully I was able to sit with a
group of senior citizens who were all
above the age of 65 it was 33 of them
who told me that this was the first time
they had ever felt seen in a book so the
book has a universal effect where it
helps grandmothers who are raising queer
grandchildren it helps therapists who
have queer clients so when you know when
you start to ban our books you are
really erasing the story um of these
teens who really need to be reflected in
the text because if they don't see
themselves in books sometime they don't
even know that they exist in the world
and I grew up the same way Mike grew up
without seeing any images of ourselves
and so we had no road map our books are
now their blueprint it's now their road
map into
society what do you think then is a
strategy to effectively fight these book
bands
George well as a person who uh almost
got into a fist fight in an airport with
somebody who wanted to ban my book and
happened to recognize my face um I'm
going to Advocate that fist fighting in
the airport is not the way to do it um
even though if that's what it came to it
would have been that's what it would
have been uh but honestly I'm a part of
a federal lawsuit in uh Florida uh where
we um one County tried to ban one woman
from one County tried to ban 165 titles
um so I'm a part of a federal lawsuit uh
I sent my mother and my two aunts to
glenbridge New Jersey where they fought
for my book at a school board meeting
and it went viral and that encouraged
other parents uh to start to go to more
school schoool board meetings I've sent
videos into school board meetings so
that I can give public testimony uh I've
also helped with uh many of the uh band
book clubs that are being formed by
teenagers uh I make sure that we Supply
them with books but I also give them
strategies on how they can do petitions
and how they can use their voice and use
their power uh to strategize and
organize to keep the books on the
shelves so I think we take a multi-prong
Appo approach to it and I constantly
work on that every
day and and Mike what do you hope that
readers take away from your books what
do you hope that those watching take
away when they hear you talking about
it well I mean the whole point of
writing a book like flamer is to give
people hope I want you know kids to read
that book and know they are normal they
are loved there is a place for them in
this world and I think that is you know
the point of children's literature is to
give the Next Generation the hope that
they are going to grow up and live full
life lives and be
loved George M Johnson and Mike Cado
thank you so much for sharing your
stories with us and for uh joining us
for this conversation tonight and if you
are struggling with mental health
distress including thoughts of suicide
substance abuse or emotional distress
text her dial 988 free help is available
247 hi everyone George Stephanopoulos
here thanks for checking out the ABC
News YouTube channel if you'd like to
get more videos show highlights and
watch live event coverage click on the
right over here to subscribe to our
Channel and don't forget to download the
ABC News app for breaking news alerts
thanks for
watching
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