Beyond Banned Books: Rising Against Fascism

The East Side Freedom Library (ESFL) and the University of Minnesota Institute for Advanced Study (IAS) are proud to present: "Beyond Banned Books: Rising Against Fascism."

This event kicks off ESFL's 10th Anniversary Fall Love & Solidarity series, as well as IAS's 2023-2024 IAS Thursdays series. Leading American scholar-historians Robin D.G. Kelley (UCLA) and Rod Ferguson (Yale) will discuss attacks against institutions and modes of learning, including books, libraries, educators, and more. Our guests will be in conversation with UMN PhD candidate Kristen Reynolds .

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ABOUT:

According to data from the American Library Association, about 90% of all books challenged in 2022 were part of multi-title bans—many organized by political advocacy groups attempting to censor content that doesn’t fit their political, moral, or religious agenda. Among those most challenged are books featuring characters of color or including themes of race, racism, or LGBTQIA+ identity. 

Join a panel of historians and scholars of African American history, queer studies, and cultural studies for a conversation about the intersection of freedom of expression, attempted book bans, and their implications on fostering diverse perspectives. In what ways does book banning impact marginalized authors and perspectives differently as compared to more mainstream voices? What role do institutions, such as libraries and schools, play in resisting or perpetuating book-banning practices, and how can these institutions contribute to a more inclusive literary landscape? 

Panelists will discuss historical parallels between current book-banning efforts and those of the past, as well as how book banning affects educational environments and the consequences those bans have on students’ understanding of social issues, critical thought, and our future. 

Presented in partnership by the East Side Freedom Library as part of the Love and Solidarity Series and the Institute for Advanced Study at the University of Minnesota as part of IAS Thursdays: (In)Justice.