In The Community
What Is the Modern Book Ban?
Book banning is the act of removing books from reading lists, libraries, or bookstores based on content disagreements. Often done under the pretense of safeguarding children, most of these challenges come from parents and library patrons. However, elected officials, school boards, and even librarians can also be champions of imposed ignorance. After all, they know knowledge is power.
In March 2024, the American Library Association (ALA) reported that “the number of titles targeted for censorship at public libraries increased by 92% [in 2023] over the previous year.” This is alarming for multiple reasons:
- Censorship: Book banning is fundamentally a form of censorship. Although the First Amendment protects against government censorship, private individuals or organizations face limited restraint. This makes book banning a primary example of legal censorship in the U.S.
- Democracy at Risk: At the core of democracy is the free exchange of ideas. By constraining this, we challenge the principles on which the U.S. was built. Censorship often paves the way to tyranny, allowing a small group to dominate the narrative.
- Stagnation: Book bans impede societal progression by avoiding challenges to prevailing beliefs. To quote English writer George Orwell from his eerily prescient dystopian novel “1984”: “The best books are those that tell you what you know already.” Do we aspire to a society that shuns diverse thought? Book bans lead fully in that direction.
- Marginalization: Such bans further alienate underrepresented communities. With Latinos already underrepresented in literature, these bans exacerbate the problem.
Latino Representation: The Understated Crisis
Images shared by projectpulso on Instagram
Images shared by projectpulso on Instagram
Even beyond Latino literature, there's a broader attack against critical theory. This crusade aims to stifle discussions on racism, sexism, and systemic inequality. In a single school year, 1,477 books faced bans, according to PEN America. A startling number of these pertained to LGBTQ themes, protagonists of color, race, and racism.
A Spotlight on Banned Latina Authors
Amidst the unsettling rise in book bans across the U.S., Latina authors have found themselves at the epicenter of this censorship storm. These authors not only highlight the complexities of Latino heritage but also bridge gaps in understanding, creating stories that resonate across boundaries. Many invaluable works by Latina authors have been banned, including:
- “The House of the Spirits” by Isabel Allende: Spanning generations, this saga chronicles the lives of the Trueba family in Chile, accentuating the mystical powers of its female characters. Challenges against it cite reasons like its "pornographic" nature and alleged attacks on Catholicism.
- “The House on Mango Street” by Sandra Cisneros: Through vignettes, this novel paints the life of Esperanza Cordero, a young Chicana in Chicago. Bans have been enforced based on claims that it instigates skepticism against "American values."
- “Out of Darkness” by Ashley Hope Pérez: Set against the backdrop of 1930s Texas, this novel delves into the love between a Mexican American girl and a Black teen. Challenged for its graphic nature, it's deemed "sexually explicit" and has earned a place on the Top 10 Most Banned Books list.
- “The Poet X” by Elizabeth Acevedo: The narrative revolves around 15-year-old Xiomara, who channels familial tension into her poetry. Accusations against it range from being "anti-Christian" to violating religious safeguards.
- “How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents” by Julia Alvarez: This novel charts the journey of the Garcia sisters, uprooted from their Dominican heritage, as they grapple with a starkly contrasting life in New York, touching on themes of identity, family, and culture.
- “Like Water for Chocolate” by Laura Esquivel: This enchanting novel narrates the intriguing history of the De La Garza family in Mexico, where love, tradition, and magic blend seamlessly. It delves deep into themes of forbidden love, family obligations, and the transformative power of food.
- “Bless Me, Ultima” by Rudolf Anaya: Set in New Mexico; this narrative introduces us to Antonio Marez and Ultima, a healer. As Antonio steps into manhood, Ultima becomes his guiding light, illuminating his path through childhood bigotry, familial crises, and the mysteries of spirituality.
The increasing trend of book banning, especially of Latino literature, is a pressing concern. Not only does it threaten our democratic principles and societal growth, but it also amplifies the marginalization of already underrepresented communities. Our society's richness lies in its diversity, and by stifling these voices, we risk losing an integral part of our narrative. It's time to reassess and recognize the value of all stories, regardless of their origin.
Sabrina & Corina by Kali Fajardo-Anstine
Sabrina & Corina is the kind of short story collection that opens doors, allowing you to walk into the life of the characters. Exploring themes like friendship, mother and daughter relationships, and more, the stories focus on Latinas of indigenous ancestry living in Denver, Colorado, and how they navigate their land. Each story is unique, full of poignant moments of strength and melancholy.
The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas
If you enjoy a good haunted house story, you’re going to love this one. The Hacienda combines gothic horror, historical fiction, and a dash of slow-burn romance. Set after the Mexican War of Independence, the story follows Beatriz as she moves into Hacienda San Isidro after marrying Don Rodolfo Solórzano. Beatriz lost everything in the war and she would do anything to find a home again. Instead, she finds herself thrust into a battle with darkness, both inside and outside of the human realm. Atmospheric, beautifully written, and very engaging!
Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo
Adults often keep away from YA fiction, but in doing so they’re missing out on amazing stories. Clap When You Land is a great example of that and it explores themes like grief and love. It follows two sisters; Camino Rios living in the Dominican Republic, and Yahaira Rios, living in New York City. One day, they get the devastating news that their father has died in the Flight 587 plane crash (based on true events), forcing the two girls to face their new reality and bridge the distance between them. It’s written in verse, so the novel is lyrical and beautiful, but most of all, powerful.
What the River Knows by Isabel Ibañez
What the River Knows transports readers to Cairo, Egypt, where Bolivian-Argentinian Inez Olivera is set on discovering the truth behind her parents’ deaths. This is a historical fantasy full of adventure, magic, mystery, and romance. It’s surprising and immersive, so it’s the perfect choice if you just want to disconnect from real life. The writing is captivating and it will take you on quite a ride. Highly recommended for fans of The Mummy (1999)!
West Side Love Story by Priscilla Oliveras
We all need to swoon, kick our feet, and twirl our hair every once in a while. That’s where good romance books come in, and West Side Love Story doesn’t disappoint. It’s a Latino retelling of Romeo and Juliet set in San Antonio, where we follow star-crossed lovers Mariana Capuleta and Angelo Montero. They’re members of feuding families and competing mariachi bands, but the heart wants what it wants. The story is very moving and full of secrets, sacrifices, and betrayals. Will love prevail?
Family Lore by Elizabeth Acevedo
Family Lore is Elizabeth Acevedo’s adult debut novel and it tells the story of a Dominican-American family through the perspectives of its six women. Each of these women has a unique gift, so the novel explores the challenges they’ve had to face as well as their victories in life. It’s been compared to 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez because it’s a family saga that moves back and forth in time, with a core mystery that keeps readers engaged. It’s also full of magical realism and Latin American culture!
