Native Son
By Richard Wright
"Right from the start, Bigger Thomas had been headed for jail. It could have been for assault or petty larceny; by chance, it was for murder and rape. Native Son tells the story of this young black man caught in a downward spiral after he kills a young white woman in a brief moment of panic. Set in Chicago in the 1930s, Wright's powerful novel is an unsparing reflection on the poverty and feelings of hopelessness experienced by people in inner cities across the country and of what it means to be black in America." - Goodreads
Why was this book challenged?
Banned book element tile
Reasons: Violence, Sexual Content, Profanity
According to the ACLU Massachusetts, Native Son by Richard Wright has been frequently challenged and banned for violence, sexual content and profanity.
Black-authored books have historically been targets for censorship, and modern-day censorship efforts are targeting them as well. For more information, please see out Frequently Asked Questions webpage.
Ways to read this book at STCC!
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Additional Resources and Accessibility
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