Since its inception in 1982, Banned Books Week has sought to push back against a
perceived rise in the number of challenges to books in educational and
commercial settings. Running from September 18-24 this year, it is a chance to reflect on the importance of free and open access to information within our society.
The 2023 theme is
Books Unite Us, Censorship Divides Us
and special acknowledgement is made to the over-representation of materials
dealing with LGBTQIA+ themes in the
annual top ten most challenged books list.
To participate, you could read about this year’s Honorary Chair
for Banned Books Week, George M. Johnson, participate in the spread of live events on Facebook and Twitter or even take a stand for your literary freedoms by making your own virtual read-out video
Closer to home, you might want to pick up one of this year’s
banned books reads; Toni Morrison’s
The Bluest Eye is available in the JCU library. You could even check out the
banned books subject offered by JCU, dealing with censorship and the regulation of culture in Australia.
Or maybe, you’d just like to spend a moment in gratitude for a favourite book
you’ve read, enjoyed and shared.
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