Anybody familiar with the current American political landscape is most definitely well-versed in the talking points of conservative newscasters. Book bans are one popular angle in the conservative pundit’s weaponry, typically to “protect Americas from the left wing agenda”. Material subject to the ban is books covering topics such as race, sexuality, and gender identity. While conservatives think such bans reflect the will of the American people, a recent survey presents evidence contradictory to this claim.
What Americans want
According to a recent study conducted by the Knight Foundation (a nonprofit organization that supplies arts and journalism grants), two-thirds of Americans oppose restrictions on access to books. Interestingly, there are fewer strong supporters of book restrictions than strong opponents, with a 1-3 ratio among survey respondents.
Such a revelation comes in the wake of unprecedented pushback by the far right to ban books covering the aforementioned topics.
Recent Book Bans
A hostility towards ethnic and sexual minorities has been on the rise in the country; a good chunk of this hostility takes form in censorship of discussion revolving on such topics. Schools and libraries all around the country have been facing record-breaking pushback from conservative interest groups to remove books from shelves. However, it would appear that most Americans do not share the same sentiment, according to the Knight Foundation.
Despite the majority being more open to discussing marginalized topics, it doesn’t deter the conservative minority from making strides to have book bans on topics relating to important discussions. In the 2022-2023 timespan, the number of unique book titles challenged increased by an almost unbelievable 65%, making it the highest level ever spotted by the American Library Association.
Despite what certain political figures would like for the general public to believe, 78 percent of adults are confident in their community’s ability for public schools to select appropriate books for students to read, according to the Knight Foundation.
The Loudest Minority
Given the findings, it would seem conservatives are actually the real minority in the support of book bans, with their footprint being just 27% of all adults, though making up 57% of book restriction supporters, according to the Knight Foundation. Reportedly, conservatives also feel less politically represented in public school books. Perhaps such sentiment could factor into their crusade on book bans?
Conclusion
From the study, most people believe it is a bigger concern to restrict students’ access to books that have educational value, especially if the students in question are middle to high school students, an age most believe is old enough to understand such topics.
In short, be sure to support your community’s educational institutions and libraries. If you have a child interested in a banned book, read it as a family. You may be taking part in an important discussion, proving that there isn’t a boogeyman in book stacks.
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