In putting this blog together, I kept coming back to an idea from Dr. Sara Fine in her article, "How the Mind of Censor Works," which is the idea that people who attempt to censor books are essentially trying to wave a magic wand to make the idea in the book they object to just disappear. But there is no magic wand and the ideas don't simply disappear. They need to be discussed, debated, and most importantly, recognized as reality for many people. There is a vocal minority trying to control the American narrative through book banning and other forms of censorship and while they think they might be looking out for the best interest of the "moral majority" all they are doing is participating in the continued systematic oppression of the most vulnerable people in our country and subsequently, the world. This type of morally performative politics is eroding our democracy and jeopardizing the phyiscal and intellectual health of our nation.
“About.” Jason Reynolds, www.jasonwritesbooks.com/about.
Admin. “Top 10 Most Challenged Books Lists.” Advocacy, Legislation & Issues, 4 Apr. 2022, www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/frequentlychallengedbooks/top10.
Barron, Christina. “Jason Reynolds Helps Put a Spotlight on Banned Books Week.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 28 Sept. 2021, www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/kidspost/jason-reynolds-helps-spotlight-banned-books-week/2021/09/28/e5a4b862-1fcf-11ec-8200-5e3fd4c49f5e_story.html.
Ediaz. “Jason Reynolds Named Inaugural Honorary Chair of Banned Books Week.” News and Press Center, 13 Apr. 2021, www.ala.org/news/member-news/2021/04/jason-reynolds-named-inaugural-honorary-chair-banned-books-week.
Franklin, MJ. “Jason Reynold's 'Long Way Down' Is What You Get When You Mix 'A Christmas Carol' with 'Boyz n the Hood'.” Mashable, Mashable, 29 Oct. 2021, mashable.com/article/mashreads-podcast-long-way-down-jason-reynolds.
Greene, David. “In 'Long Way Down,' The Ghosts Of Gun Violence Chill A Plan For Revenge.” NPR, NPR, 30 Oct. 2017, www.npr.org/2017/10/30/560286304/in-long-way-down-the-ghosts-of-gun-violence-chill-a-plan-for-revenge.
“In Conversation: Jason Reynolds and Jason Griffin.” PublishersWeekly.com, www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-authors/article/88232-in-conversation-jason-reynolds-and-jason-griffin.html.
“Jason Reynolds, National Ambassador for Young People's Literature.” Research Guides, guides.loc.gov/jason-reynolds/grab-the-mic/wrr.
“Jason Reynolds, National Ambassador for Young People's Literature: Introduction.” Research Guides, guides.loc.gov/jason-reynolds/introduction.
León, Concepción De. “Jason Reynolds Is on a Mission.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 28 Oct. 2019, www.nytimes.com/2019/10/28/books/jason-reynolds-look-both-ways.html.
“Sharp Rise in Parents Seeking to Ban Anti-Racist Books in US Schools.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 6 Apr. 2021, www.theguardian.com/books/2021/apr/06/sharp-rise-in-parents-seeking-to-ban-anti-racist-books-in-us-schools.