Photo Courtesy of Lily Andrey
Last Friday, February 21, students had the opportunity to buy, or simply take in, tables of Banned Books that filled the College Center atrium. Sponsored by the Writers House, five local bookstores – Nooks, Read Rose, Aaron’s Books, Pocket Books, and College BookStore – displayed books spanning genres like African American Lit and History, Queer Lit, Graphic Novels and Memoirs, and Classics. Students had the chance to pick up free stickers and pins. Additionally, the first 100 students to attend the fair were given a $20 voucher to buy a book of their choice. Miles Montalvo 25’, co-organizer of the book fair, was ecstatic that these vouchers “were gone before lunchtime,” as the event started at 10 a.m..
Every student lining the tables displayed excitement and curiosity as they bought their new read, or simply wondered why a particular book they loved as a child had found its way to the banned book list in the first place. “Everyone seemed really happy,” said Montalvo, “which was really encouraging” to those who planned the event.
Thanks to the Puritans in 1637, the practice of banning books in the United States is older than the US Constitution. However, the underlying motivations for doing so have evolved with the country. Right now, an emphasis has been placed on “saving children.” Therefore the committee wondered “What is the damage of not letting kids read what they need to read?” Montalvo explained. And the idea of the Banned Book Fair was born. Montalvo also thanked Teagan Durkin 26’, who is currently abroad, as she planted the seeds for the fair.
The goal of the Philadelphia Alumni Writers House’s Banned Books Committee, established in 2022, is to “spread awareness about the ongoing and growing presence of book bans in the United States,” reads their flyer about the books. Additionally, “according to PEN America, in the 2023-24 school year, there were over 10,000 instances of book banning across the country.”
Photo Courtesy of Lily Andrey
“I think it’s important from a resistance perspective to know what the powers at be don’t want us to be reading” explained Julie of Pocket Books. She argues that it’s our responsibility to “go out of our way to seek out the things they are trying to keep from us” as it is how we resist and mobilize.
When asked about the value of Banned Books, Shawn of Nooks stated, “A lot of times the books that are banned delve into things that people are uncomfortable with.” However, “they are topics that need to be addressed and talked about.” He argues that banned books help guide these conversations.
Teddy of Read Rose believes that “We can’t be in a place now to withhold literature in any type of way.” And in a highly politicized world, “we have to show the facts, things that are very important to different social demographics.”
Aaron’s Books displayed a table of Graphic Novels and Memoirs. Although belittled by critics, Graphic Novels can be the most influential banned books. Art Spiegelman’s Maus follows the story of a Jewish father and son coping with intergenerational trauma from Hilter’s Europe, in graphic novel form. Published in 1986, the novel is still highly debated among educators and parents.
“I think it’s an easier target,” explained Alex from Aarons Books. “You flip through them and you see whatever you’re opposed to.” With traditional novels or memoirs, “You have to work a little harder to find what your problem is.” Therefore, graphic novels offer a “quicker problem” of exposing children to “radical” ideas.
Not every book at the fair was for sale. Dr. Strick, an F&M professor, set up a table to display his personal banned book collection. The work of Wilhelm Reich, a “controversial” psychoanalyst of the 1920s and 1930s, spanned across the table. To students who walked by, Strick emphasized that the displayed publications were targeted by both the Hilter regime and the U.S. government.
“You don’t usually think of the U.S. government saying ‘Right, we should burn his books’” said Strick. He further explained when people hear Reich’s story they think, “Oh that’s only something that could have happened back then” but he claims they are very wrong. “Under current political circumstances it’s becoming more urgent than ever that people pay attention,” said Strick.
He argues that banning books, at the end of the day, is stupid. Because “somewhere down the line [children] are going to come across these ideas” and when they do “ they’re gonna latch onto them even more eagerly than they would have otherwise,” even if it is just out of resentment. Banned books are the “best indicator you have” to what those in power “see as a threat to their power.”
Literature is political and books are an integral part of democracy. Democracy depends on the open exchange of ideas and confidence that those conclusions are based on truth. The act of banning literature is a key element of fascist regimes.
Sophomore Lily Andrey is the Editor-in-Chief. Her email is landrey@fandm.edu.