I Read Banned Books
I Read Banned Books: Knowledge Doesn’t Come With Training Wheels
Books are being challenged and banned at rates we haven’t seen in decades. According to the American Library Association, there were 821 attempts to censor library materials in 2024, affecting over 2,400 unique titles. This isn’t just about a few concerned parents anymore – research shows that 72% of demands to censor books now come from organized pressure groups and government entities. Something bigger is happening here, and it’s a problem.
When I look at the books being targeted most frequently, patterns emerge. Books about LGBTQ+ experiences, books dealing with racism, books that talk honestly about difficult realities young people face – these consistently end up on banned lists. It feels less like protecting children and more like trying to erase certain voices and experiences. I created this “I Read Banned Books” design because I believe in the freedom to decide for ourselves what we want to read.
Reading isn’t always comfortable. The best books often challenge us, make us think differently, or help us understand perspectives we’ve never considered. That’s not something to fear – it’s something to celebrate. So yes, I read banned books because knowledge doesn’t come with training wheels, and understanding doesn’t happen in bubble-wrapped packages. I believe in our ability to encounter challenging ideas and make our own judgments.
