With the sun desperately trying to peek through a hazy, overcast cloudy sky, a group of students,
professors, librarians and other Suffolk County Community College staff members gathered on
the steps of the Huntington Library located on the Ammerman Campus. Regardless of the bleak
weather they were all there to stand up for a purpose they believed in and were united by. That
purpose was to bring awareness to the issue of censorship and continue the fight for our freedom
to express ideas.
The day was Wednesday, September 25, it was 12:30 pm and I remember thinking to myself that
the clouds blocking out the sun were somewhat symbolic of the garish clouds on freedom’s
horizon which censorship represents. As part of Banned Book Week (September 22-28) this
diverse group, which I was a part of, had gathered to participate in a banned book readout. For
those of you who do not know what Banned Book Week is, as well as what a banned book
readout is, here is a brief history.
Founded by late librarian and activist Judith Krug along with the American Library Association,
Banned Books Week was originally started in 1982 to combat the number of challenges to books
being seen in bookstores, libraries and schools around the nation at the time. The annual event
usually (but not always) takes place during the last week of September in order to draw national
attention to the harmful effects of censorship. As per the American Library Association, Banned
Books Week aims to highlight “the value of free and open access to information and bring
together the entire book community — librarians, educators, authors, publishers, booksellers, and
readers of all types — in shared support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas.” As part of
the overall theme of Banned Book Week, banned book readouts such as the one at Suffolk
County Community College, are a means by which individuals can let their voices be heard in an
effort to defend our individual rights to read as well as to have the freedom to access
information.
According to Associate Professor, Library Services Media and Reader Services Librarian at
Suffolk County Community Colles Eastern Campus, Susan Wood, the “aim of this event is to
cultivate civil discourse and engage in responsible speech as we bring awareness to the issue of
censorship and celebrate literature,”
With a crowd of onlookers having formed at the base of the steps to the Huntington Library, the
Master of Ceremonies for this year’s book ban readout, Suffolk County Community College
Economics Professor, Tom Flesher took to the microphone and enthusiastically began
introducing the different readers. During the event organized by Suffolk County Community
College Director of the Center for Social Justice and Human Understanding, Jill Santiago, the
speakers took turns and spoke for roughly five minutes; both reading from a passage of their
challenged book as well as explaining how their selected literary work has been challenged or is
currently under attack by people who want to censor it.
Participants and bystanders of the readout were treated to readings from such challenged books
as, “The Diary of Anne Frank” by Anne Frank, “Ulysses” by James Joyce, “Animal Farm” by
George Orwell, “The Kite Runner” by Khalid Hossein, “This Book is Gay” by Juno Dawson,
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain (read by the author of this article), as well
as poetry from Shel Silverstein. With each challenged book reader speaking almost more
passionately than the last, the crowd showered them all with applause, and the hour-long event
seemed to go by in the blink of an eye. Concluding with one last round of applause the event
commenced, and everyone went their separate ways.
As we all eventually parted ways, I remember thinking to myself of how incredibly honored I
was to have had the privilege of participating in such an event. I agree with award-winning
filmmaker and honorary chair of this years Banned Book Week, Ava DuVernay, when she said,
“I believe that censorship is the enemy of freedom.” I also remember thinking to myself
however, that the battle against censorship is one that is ongoing and must continue being fought.
For our books can be censored and our access to them limited, then truly our thoughts and words
can also be controlled and limited.
As the famous British author George Orwell said, “If liberty means anything at all, it means the
right to tell people what they do not want to hear.”
For anyone looking for more information on Banned Book Week and future banned book
readouts, please access the following sites:
https://www.ala.org/bbooks/banned
https://www.nypl.org/spotlight/banned-books
