Banning Books Of African Diaspora Authors: What Should You Do Now?
Do you want to know why they are Banning Books By African Diaspora Authorsand What we Should You Do Now? Then keep reading. In our effort to share more knowledge about the diaspora literature recently, I was researching some books to recommend, only to discover that many important books by African Diaspora Authors are being banned in the United States and other Western countries. Why are they doing that to us and what are we supposed to do to keep our culture and experiences alive as a people? That is a question I am currently worried about.
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Why They Banned Books By African Diaspora Authors
You would think that if the US government is banning books, it should mean
that these books either present a negative portrayal of American society,
contradicting its image as the land of the free and an example of global
democracy. However, the reality may diverge significantly from these
perceptions.
“The fact that Out of Darkness was in schools for half a decade without a
single complaint is a key indication that this is about politics, not about
parental concerns or what’s best for kids,” is a piece from the article “Writers
of Banned Books Speak Out” Pérez said.”
The source added that “None of these folks were worried about Out of
Darkness until right-wing groups told them that they should be”. This goes to
show that it’s entirely about politics, not what is best for the kids.
So, we must open our eyes to the realization that Western governments
banning books by African Diaspora authors is a reflection of deeply ingrained
systemic racism and colonial legacy. The fear of empowering marginalized voices
and challenging dominant narratives leads to the suppression of literature that
speaks to the experiences and realities of the African Diaspora.
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“I was caught off guard,” Craft, the Newbery Medal-winning author of the
2019 graphic novel “New Kid,” told NBCBLK. “I felt bad for the kids because I
know how much they love ‘New Kid’ and ‘Class Act.’ I know what my school visits
do. The article is titled “Book bans in schools are catching fire. Black
authors say uproar isn’t about students” and you might consider reading it on
Nbcnews.com.
The Western governments, particularly, the United States often perceive
African Diaspora literature as threatening to their established power
structures, as it promotes critical thinking, challenges stereotypes, and
exposes historical injustices.
There may also be a reluctance to acknowledge the full complexity of African
Diaspora experiences, preferring instead to maintain narratives that uphold
Western superiority and control over cultural narratives. But we must
understand that this censorship not only silences vital voices but also
perpetuates ignorance and reinforces harmful stereotypes about
African-descended people.
See also Building The Diaspora Connection Through Generational Stories – The Diaspora Storytelling Series
To the African Diaspora authors facing censorship or suppression, we would
like to say to them that it’s crucial to remember the profound impact their
works can have in shaping narratives and fostering understanding in Western
society.
Your stories are essential for preserving cultural heritage, reclaiming
identity, and inspiring future generations. Despite the challenges, continue to
write boldly, celebrating the richness of African Diaspora literary heritage,
culture, and experiences.
Your resilience and determination in sharing these narratives contribute to
the ongoing struggle for equality, justice, and representation.
ACLU Banned Books By Black Authors
The following list of banned books is from an article you can
find on ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union).
The article highlights the ACLU’s century-long fight against government
censorship, particularly focusing on defending the right to express unpopular
opinions and protecting marginalized communities facing racial and economic
injustice.
It underscores how Black literature and art have historically been targeted
for censorship, viewed as obscene or seditious due to their ability to expose
societal injustices. The resurgence of censorship efforts against
Black-authored books and race-conscious subjects in education is seen as a
backlash to the racial justice movement catalyzed by recent high-profile
incidents of police brutality.
As part of their Black History Month initiative, the ACLU of Massachusetts
plans to spotlight pivotal, Black-authored books that have faced censorship,
aiming to raise awareness and promote freedom of expression.
Now, pay attention to the books below so you can pick them up to read and
share with the people in your community. We want to intentionally celebrate our
literary heritage, culture, and experiences as a people:
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas (2017)
Banned for supposedly promoting an anti-police message.
Sixteen-year-old Starr Carter moves between two worlds: the poor
neighborhood where she lives and the fancy suburban prep school she attends.
The uneasy balance between these worlds is shattered when Starr witnesses the
fatal shooting of her childhood best friend Khalil at the hands of a police
officer. Khalil was unarmed.
Soon afterward, his death is a national headline. Some are calling him a
thug, maybe even a drug dealer and a gangbanger. Protesters are taking to the
streets in Khalil’s name. Some cops and the local drug lord try to intimidate
Starr and her family. What everyone wants to know is: what really went down
that night? And the only person alive who can answer that is Starr. Learn more here.
I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou (1969).
Banned for ostensibly for vulgarity and sexually explicit material.
Here is a book as joyous and painful, as mysterious and memorable, as
childhood itself. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings captures
the longing of lonely children, the brute insult of bigotry, and the wonder of
words that can make the world right. Maya Angelou’s debut memoir is a modern
American classic beloved worldwide.
Sent by their mother to live with their devout, self-sufficient grandmother in
a small Southern town, Maya and her brother, Bailey, endure the ache of
abandonment and the prejudice of the local “powhitetrash.” At eight years old
and back at her mother’s side in St. Louis, Maya is attacked by a man many
times her age—and has to live with the consequences for a lifetime.
Years later, in San Francisco, Maya learns that love for herself, the
kindness of others, her own strong spirit, and the ideas of great authors (“I
met and fell in love with William Shakespeare”) will allow her to be free
instead of imprisoned. Read more here.
The Colors Purple by Alice Walker (1982)
Banned for ostensibly for its sexual and racial content.
Celebrating its fortieth anniversary, The Color Purple writes
a message of healing, forgiveness, self-discovery, and sisterhood to a new
generation of readers. An inspiration to authors who continue to give
voice to the multidimensionality of Black women’s stories, including Tayari
Jones, Honorée Fanonne Jeffers, Jesmyn Ward, and more, The Color
Purple remains an essential read in conversation with storytellers
today.
A powerful cultural touchstone of modern American literature, The
Color Purple depicts the lives of African American women in
early-twentieth-century rural Georgia. Separated as girls, sisters Celie and
Nettie sustain their loyalty to and hope in each other across time, distance,
and silence.
Through a series of letters spanning nearly thirty years, first from Celie
to God, then from the sisters to each other, the novel draws readers into a
rich and memorable portrayal of Black women—their pain and struggle,
companionship and growth, resilience, and bravery. Read more here.
Stamped: Racism, Antiracism and You, Ibram X. Kendi and Jason Reynolds
(2020)
Banned for ostensibly for vulgar language and discussions of race.
The construct of race has always been used to gain and keep power, to create
dynamics that separate and silence. This remarkable reimagining of Dr. Ibram X.
Kendi’s National Book Award-winning Stamped from the Beginning reveals
the history of racist ideas in America and inspires hope for an antiracist
future.
It takes you on a race journey from then to now, shows you why we feel how
we feel, and why the poison of racism lingers. It also proves that while racist
ideas have always been easy to fabricate and distribute, they can also be
discredited.
Through a gripping, fast-paced, and energizing narrative written by beloved
award-winner Jason Reynolds, this book shines a light on the many insidious
forms of racist ideas–and on ways readers can identify and stamp out racist
thoughts in their daily lives. Read more here.
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison (1970)
Morrison’s books have been frequently challenged or banned, ostensibly for
their graphic content.
In Morrison’s acclaimed first novel, Pecola Breedlove—an 11-year-old Black
girl in an America whose love for its blond, blue-eyed children can devastate
all others—prays for her eyes to turn blue: so that she will be beautiful, so
that people will look at her, so that her world will be different.
This is the story of the nightmare at the heart of her yearning, and the
tragedy of its fulfillment. Read more here.
The importance of written literature to African diaspora community
Written literature holds immense significance within the African Diaspora
community as it serves as a powerful tool for preserving cultural heritage,
reclaiming identity, and fostering unity across diverse experiences.
Through literature, the complex narratives, traditions, and histories of
African-descended peoples are documented and shared, ensuring that future
generations remain connected to their roots despite displacement and
dislocation. It provides a platform for voices that have been marginalized or
silenced, offering opportunities for expression and validation of diverse
experiences within the community.
Moreover, literature serves as a vehicle for empowerment and resistance
against oppression. It allows African
Diaspora authors to challenge stereotypes, dismantle misconceptions, and
confront social injustices, thus contributing to broader movements for social
change and equality.
By depicting the resilience, creativity, and resilience of the African
Diaspora, written literature celebrates the richness of cultural diversity and
highlights the shared humanity that binds communities together.
Conclusion on Banning Books By African Diaspora Authors
Considering the above it is imperative that in the African Diaspora
community, we actively foster the celebration and preservation of our literary
heritage, culture, and experiences.
See also our previous articles – Building African
Diaspora Life & Legacy With Storytelling – The Diaspora Storytelling Series
We must prioritize initiatives such as promoting literature by African
Diaspora Authors, organizing literary events and festivals, establishing
community libraries and book clubs, advocating for the inclusion of diverse
narratives in educational curricula, and supporting platforms that amplify our
voices.
By steadfastly championing our stories and fostering spaces for cultural
exchange and expression, we will fortify our collective identity and ensure the
enduring legacy of our literary contributions.
Want to learn more about storytelling? Start by downloading the first
chapter of The Storytelling Mastery.
