Books have symbolized a window into humanity’s complex nature for centuries, emphasizing intellectual freedom by exploring diverse cultures and values. However, hundreds of “dangerous books” are currently under attack in schools and libraries in the United States due to a debate rampant in media and politics: book bans.

According to the American Library Association, a book ban removes materials that have been challenged to restrict access for others, such as in a school curriculum or library. About 47% of books challenged in 2023 were BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ stories.

Analyzing Censorship and Levels of Danger

Book banning in the United States is the most prevalent form of censorship, with young readers’ access to what some perceive as dangerous books at the forefront of the conversation. Those protesting the inclusion of certain books in schools and libraries argue dangerous books will negatively influence young readers. Motivations for book bans and challenges vary depending on moral, cultural, political and personal beliefs.

While challenged books span many genres, themes and topics, one thing is sure: there is a widespread fear that the content of dangerous books presents controversial ideas and triggers a sense of critical inquiry that is inappropriate for young readers. Over time, banned and challenged books have strayed from those including sexual content deemed inappropriate for minors to those that challenge established norms, values and ideologies in modern society.

According to Johnathon E. Collins, an assistant professor at Brown University, in his research article “Policy Solutions: What should we make of book bans?,” book censorship and danger levels are usually determined by the presence of hate and obscenity. When determining the presence of these two factors, we must also consider the societal value and impact of these books.

What is most problematic about modern-day book banning is that many moves to challenge and ban “dangerous books” are driven by political and religious motivations–which often go hand in hand–predominantly by the conservative party. Books from communities integral to diversity in our society pilot the “dangerous book” conversation. LGBTQIA+, racial, religious, and historical themes in books remain on book banners’ radars more often than not.

Examining “dangerous books” and the implications of book bans, we must ask ourselves what this means for the progression of society and American culture. Conversations about dangerous books transcend just schools and libraries; they call questions about censorship and access to significant works that offer culture to the American population.

Based on True Experience

Curious to hear other opinions, hearing my thoughts on the matter echoed by BIPOC identifying book industry peers from Tessera Editorial was alarming. 

Maria felt small and “less than” as a Southeast Asian woman with invisible disabilities due to her struggle to find characters she could directly connect with. Johanie was mainly exposed to books full of white people, and she internalized this lack of representation into self-perceptions of being “freakish” or not meant to be in a lead spot of stories.

A lack of queer representation in literature stunted Lei’s understanding of how integral their queerness was to their lived experience; not having exposure to queer stories led them to search for stories reflecting who they “should be” rather than what they truly resonated with. Hyena found that the issue was not a misrepresentation of homosexuality but rather an overall nonrepresentation of his sexuality. 

It is saddening to see people of certain backgrounds simply accepting that the mainstream media they consume, especially books, will never represent their identity. These conversations made one thing clear: the book industry must do better to make everyone feel welcome. 

What Book Bans Mean for Society

When examining “dangerous books” and the implications of book bans, we must ask ourselves what this means for the progression of society and American culture. Conversations about dangerous books transcend just schools and libraries; they question censorship and access to significant works that offer culture to the American population. 

What is truly dangerous for children is the suppression of free ideas and expression. Banning and challenging subjectively dangerous books suppresses cultural education and hinders young readers’ ability to develop their own free ideas. 

Exposure to opposing viewpoints is necessary to form well-rounded beliefs. Protecting books with opposing views that are not hateful or obscene does not mean we endorse those ideas; we are giving all young minds a chance to find their truth.

Book banning is like ripping a chapter out of the book of America. We are shredding pieces of our cultural story and preventing generations after us from grasping our past. A missing chapter prevents the story from progressing; similarly, book bans obstruct the stream of cultural knowledge and understanding in America.

How We Can Foster Diverse Stories

Literature is powerful in its ability to explore the endless facets of humanity. By promoting diversity, equity and inclusion in literature, we can see more stories featuring people of color, LGBTQIA+ people, people with disabilities, different levels of socioeconomic status, a wide range of body types and more reflected in the stories we consume.

The publishing industry must evolve into a safe and welcoming space for people from all walks of life. The first step is to accept and publish more stories from authors who reflect underrepresented, marginalized communities.

If we promote authors whose stories reflect these diverse identities, those historically excluded from mainstream books can finally see their reflection. Conversely, those who do not have to search far for book representations of their identities can foster empathy and understanding toward those different from their lived experience. 

We encounter many of these excluded identities in the natural world, so we should wonder why they are not reflected in mainstream literature. Through inclusive literature, the book industry can promote more relatable, impactful, and moving stories that can incite cultural awareness and conversations surrounding identity. 

Final Thoughts

As a reader who grew up in a small town with little diversity, I find that books offer the freedom to explore complex cultures, religions and countries that we might not naturally encounter in everyday life.

The word dangerous has a strong negative connotation, leading many to stray away from recommendations on banned and challenged book lists, even if they have the potential to strengthen one’s understanding of society and embark on a journey of intellectual exploration.

In today’s current social and political state, which continues to shift, dangerous books guide us toward cultural progression. Banning books stifles knowledge and festers ignorance; ignorance bans books.