No state has gone further than Florida in book banning efforts across the country. Just in 2023, the state set a shocking new record of 4,561 banned titles in just 33 of their school districts. The surge in censorship reflects a broader conservative backlash against discussions surrounding race, gender, and diversity, which has intensified since 2021. The pressure from the state board of education was increased upon school districts to restrict access to certain books. This is deeply troubling to the students and teachers of our nation.
These local book bans have soared to record levels, fueled by an unusual mix of local action versus state pushback. Last month, the state board warned the Hillsborough County School District. They called for the banning and removal of any titles identified as “pornographic” from the district’s libraries. This directive is part of a broader wave in Florida. More than 600 books were removed from district library shelves in eight counties, leading to an estimated $350,000 in legal fees for the district.
It’s outrageous that popular titles have been pulled from circulation. These books are The Diary of Anne Frank, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou and Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut. This recent, controversial removal of these works is illustrative of the ideological locus of this educational content battle. Schools in nearby counties, including Columbia, Escambia, Orange, and Osceola, have taken proactive measures to eliminate potentially controversial books from their libraries.
Escambia County has been accused of removing approximately 400 titles on this basis with no formal review process. This unprecedented move begs the question, where is the transparency and what criteria is being used to determine which books are banned. Authors such as Rob Sanders have shared their personal concerns about how these bans are affecting them.
“If we eliminate every book that tells a story that is different than the life experiences of an individual or a family, there will be no books left in the library.” – Rob Sanders
William Johnson, director of PEN America’s Florida chapter, described the atmosphere in Orwellian terms. He contended that it’s a cold, calculated attempt to centralize power through fear. He starkly reminded everyone that this new movement seeks to eliminate unique and varied perspectives from being shared within our public school system.
“This is an ideological campaign to erase LGBTQ+ lives and any honest discussion of sex, stripping libraries of resources and stories.” – William Johnson
This wave of censorship has led to increased pushes back from parents as well. Rachel Doyle, aka “Reads with Rachel” online, is an inspired and tireless mom of two in Hillsborough’s public school district. She lamented outside forces influencing what gets taught in our schools.
“I do not want or need a special interest group or a ‘concerned citizen’ opting out for me.” – Rachel Doyle
This is a landmark policy shift. Together, these moves are part of a more widespread effort across the country to censorship in education. Most observers are convinced that, like it or not, Florida’s model will soon be copied in other, larger states. The impacts of these decisions will reverberate well beyond state borders.
The climate change debate continues to boil over. This would set the stage for further censorship of educational materials across the country, educators and advocates caution. Johnson warned that if censorship is allowed to run amok, the consequences would be disastrous.
“If censorship keeps spreading, silence won’t save us. Floridians must speak out now.” – William Johnson