On April 24, as part of National Library Week and on the inaugural Right to Read Day, Prime Video hosted a virtual discussion inspired by its new documentary, Judy Blume Forever, about protecting free expression and combating censorship. The panelists represented Unite Against Book Bans groups and included moderator Christopher Finan, executive director of the National Coalition Against Censorship; Suzanne Nossel, CEO of PEN America; Lessa Kanani’opua Pelayo-Lozada, president of the American Library Association; Leah Wolchok and Davina Pardo, directors of Judy Blume Forever; and Pat R. Scales, author, advocate, and retired librarian. Blume came under intense attack in the 1980s and her trailblazing fight against censorship is particularly relevant given the current unprecedented rise in book bans.
Finan asked the filmmakers how the battle for intellectual freedom and Blume’s advocacy emerged as a central part of the documentary. “In the beginning we thought it would be a small historical chapter about censorship in the ’80s,” Wolchok said. “We knew we wanted to talk to other authors who were writing for young audiences whose books were being challenged today, including Alex Gino, Jason Reynolds, and Jacqueline Woodson.” However, when they found an archival clip from 1984 of Blume on Crossfire fighting back against Senator Pat Buchanan as he hounded her about a mention of masturbation in her novel Deenie, they realized how much broader Blume’s work had been and how essential it was to her story. “She pointed out that it is misinformation and fear that drives all of these challenges, and it is that fear and misinformation that she has been fighting back against her whole career and today.”
The panelists outlined the recent dramatic rise in book challenges. Kanani’opua Pelayo-Lozada shared that this year the most challenged book list expanded to 13 titles from the typical 10. In the 20 years since the ALA has tracked challenges, 2022 saw the highest number: 1,269 challenge attempts on 2,571 titles, a 38% increase. “It is our responsibility to offer access to information and to these books,” Kanani’opua Pelayo-Lozada said. “When we restrict libraries we are losing community centers that are resources for veterans and small business owners, those experiencing homelessness, those who want to learn new skills. We also live in a society that loves reading, which is a foundational skill that is critical to future learning and to exercising our democratic freedoms. And we lose the opportunity to grow an empathetic society.”
Scales urged community members to take action and to involve bookstores in the fight for intellectual freedom. Nossel emphasized that the vast majority of book challenges today are to stories by or about LGBTQ+ characters and families and people of color, and reflect changes to society and movements for racial justice. Nossel said that what raises the stakes of censorship now are the legislative challenges in states like Florida, Texas, and Utah, which are punitive and have disciplinary consequences.
In addressing what can be done to fight censorship, Finan held up Blume’s career and the example she set. “Judy was publishing for 10 years before she faced significant challenges in the ’80s, and they came out of nowhere,” he said. “She formed a relationship with the founder of NCAC, Leanne Katz, and they began to fight back. Judy is a symbol of resilience and the importance of continuing to fight.”
Despite the prevalence of book challenges, Kanani’opua Pelayo-Lozada shared that ALA conducted a study in March 2022 that documented that 71% of voters across party lines opposed book bans in public libraries. She argued that a vocal minority should not threaten the intellectual freedom of the majority and urged people to write letters to the editor and to sign up and join Unite Against Book Bans. Nossel stated that though overwhelmingly Americans reject book banning as a tactic, the banning process is broader than the public might realize. She added that the solution is “mobilizing and organizing people on the ground. It is typically not a national organization that is going to be the best voice. It is going to be parents and educators and students from local communities.”
The panel concluded with concrete suggestions on how to fight censorship. Finan suggested joining the Unite Against Book Bans campaign to learn about challenges and to report cases in communities and to support local bookstores during Banned Books Week. Scales urged students to get involved as advocates and activists. Kanani’opua Pelayo-Lozada advised being proactive and not waiting until challenges emerge. Nossel recommended that supporters network, organize, join organizations, and get activated.
