Articles

In recent years, there has been a concerted effort to ban and challenge books in schools and libraries across the United States. This attack on the humanities is a dangerous trend that threatens to stifle free thought and expression.

Banned and Challenged Books in the Humanities

Here are some categories to explore to see examples of actual books that have been attacked and to get a sense of what types of books are being targeted, both currently and in the past.

• Classic Literature

• American History

• World History

• Metaphysics

• Philosophy

• Science

• Spirituality

• Sexuality

Books are a vital part of our culture. They allow us to explore different perspectives, learn about history, and understand the human condition. However, when books are banned or challenged, we lose access to these important resources.

The attack on the humanities is not just about books. It is also about the ideas that books represent. The humanities teach us about critical thinking, empathy, and the importance of diversity. They help us to understand the world around us and to make informed decisions about our lives.

When we ban or challenge books, we send a message that specific ideas are not welcome. This is a dangerous message that can chill free speech and expression.

The attack on the humanities threatens our democracy. A democracy cannot function without a well-informed and engaged citizenry. When we censor books and ideas, we are undermining our democracy's very foundation.

We must resist this attack on the humanities, defend the right of all people to access information and ideas, and protect the freedom to think for ourselves and question the status quo.

The future of the humanities depends on us. We must be vigilant in defending these critical values, speak out against censorship, and challenge those seeking to silence us.

We must also support organizations that work to preserve the humanities. These organizations fight to keep books in libraries and schools and to promote the importance of critical thinking and free expression.

The attack on the humanities is a serious threat to our society. But we can overcome this threat if we stand together and defend the values that are so important to us.