Book Bans…Again

How is it possible that we’ve traveled so far down this path again? It’s 2021 for shit’s sake. Yet, here we are again with radicals sticking their nose into anything that causes discomfort. Those poor white people who are offended by the truth (sarcasm in case you didn’t recognize it). And…this isn’t just happening in one state or one rural community. You’d think that calls to ban Beloved, Toni Morrison’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, would be a bridge too far. But, nope, not when we are in an era of racist, homophobic, misogynist, and violent rhetoric. This is not only tolerated but celebrated and encouraged.

As I did research on the most challenged books, most tended to fall into three categories: LGBTQ+, racism, and profane or sexual content (although Lolita, an absolutely horrid book with a definite pedophilia theme has not made the top ten list in several years). Certainly, the list of books banned or challenged changes every year, and Lolita has been challenged in the past, but lately, the books that seem to garner the most outrage are books dealing with racism, or LGBTQ+ issues. How dare authors present their truth or teachers teach a true and accurate representation of history? Sarcasm again…

Not that I am in favor of banning any book, but being forced to read Lolita in high school did not add anything to my education. Of course, it was assigned by a middle-aged man. I will never forget my disgust after reading this book. It would have gone to my do not finish pile rather quickly had I not been forced to read the entire book for class or suffer a poor grade.

On occasion, I used to see posts about libraries looking for YA LGBTQ+ books because they were sorely lacking and kids who wanted to see themselves represented in a book could not find many books to offer. Since many readers have characterized Locked Inside as YA, I’ve always answered the call and sent a signed copy. Now I wonder if those books are now being tossed, banned, or burned? And that makes me incredibly sad. It also makes me hesitant to send one of my books along in the future, which makes this even more depressing. It is the LGBTQ+ kids who will suffer the greatest. Unfortunately, these kids are more likely to take their own life because they don’t have the support, and now adults want to take away any book that reflects normalcy for them. I wonder when this pendulum will swing in the other direction because I’m not sure our country can endure much more of these knee-jerk reactions after finally seeing progress with social issues.

Want to read any of my books, which if ever found in a school library will not undoubtedly make it on the banned list? Simply click the links below. Don’t forget about Erica Lawson’s Chronicles of Ratha Book 1 and Book 2 that are on sale this week at MyLesfic.com.

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