We Need Diverse Books Launches the Anti-Censorship Campaign #BooksSaveLives

The anti-censorship campaign We Need Diverse Books has joined the fray. The group, which was founded in 2014 to promote inclusion and diversity in the publishing sector

on Nov 30, 2022

We Need Diverse Books Launches the Anti-Censorship Campaign #BooksSaveLives

The anti-censorship campaign We Need Diverse Books has joined the fray. The group, which was founded in 2014 to promote inclusion and diversity in the publishing sector, has set December 1 as the start date for its three-pronged #BooksSaveLives project. Schools and libraries in underprivileged areas can purchase challenged and banned books for their collections by applying for grants from Books Save Lives worth up to $10,000.

According to PEN America, book restrictions around the country are negatively impacting authors' income, particularly diverse authors, said Caroline Richmond, executive director of WNDB.

In 138 school districts, including 5,000 distinct schools, and involving four million students, books that address gender identity, sexuality, or race have been challenged in the past year, according to a report that PEN America published in September.

Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe was the book that had the most challenges and bans over the past year. The American Library Association's list of the ten novels that were challenged and/or banned the most this past year includes such time-honored bestsellers as Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye, The True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, and The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas.

Along with the funds, WNDB is collaborating with local groups in states that are close to elections to create educational resources for teachers and librarians that will help them have discussions with parents and children about censorship and the recent surge in book challenges and bans.

Richmond stated that #BooksSaveLives will arrange school visits and book giveaways to encourage various authors whose works have been criticized and outlawed. Given that "these bans are substantially harming writers' income: stopping classroom visits and decreasing sales, two crucial income streams for creators," she pointed out.

On December 1, a social media campaign for #BooksSaveLives will launch. Participants are urged to upload pictures of themselves on social media holding a book that saved or significantly impacted their life along with the hashtag #BooksSaveLives.

Additionally, WNDB asks supporters to speak out during school board meetings, ask their local libraries to stock varied books, and buy various books from their neighborhood bookshops.

People can contribute money to WNDB to assist this cause financially. According to WNDB, the funds earned through this campaign will be utilized "to provide support and resources to the teachers, librarians, and authors most affected by the book bans."

The statement read, "We will raise awareness, give resources, and drive good change while supporting the educators and authors most impacted by the prohibitions."