In honor of National Library Week and Right to Read Day, the ACLU of Michigan launches an innovative map that tracks book bans and other forms of government censorship throughout the state.
“Hostile Territory: Mapping Michigan’s Anti-LGBTQ+ Movement & other Government Acts of Censorship” is a response to the proliferation of book bans – the vast majority targeting LGBTQ+ characters and themes – from public libraries and schools across the state. The map also tracks other instances of censorship by local governments and public schools to ban Pride Flags and other symbols of support for the LGBTQ+ community.
The map is a resource to educate and provide advocacy tools for students, parents, and communities to fight back against these unprecedented attacks on our First Amendment rights. It also builds on the critical work already being done by many organizations, including the MI Right to Read Coalition led by the Michigan Library Association.
“Over the past year, there have been more than 3,000 book bans across the nation, most of which target materials that feature the LGBTQ+ community, people of color and other marginalized communities,” said Loren Khogali, ACLU of Michigan Executive Director, in a statement. “These coordinated and dangerous attacks undermine our First Amendment rights, and thwart the free exchange of information, ideas, and knowledge. Efforts to ban Pride flags and other symbols of LGBTQ+ support sends the message that LGBTQ+ people and students are not welcome, and fosters hate that is especially harmful to young people. We must protect the right to read so that we can freely learn and talk about the history, viewpoints and ideas of all communities in our state and nation. We will continue to combat these attacks on our First Amendment Rights and empower communities throughout Michigan to engage in this important work with us.”
While the map tracks only incidents that have resulted in a formal review process and final decision, instances of censorship often occur out of sight of the public and directly impact school and public libraries, the ACLU said.
“It is our hope that this map helps educate people about what is happening in Michigan, adds to the critical work already being done by many organizations, including the MI Right to Read Coalition led by the Michigan Library Association, and provides resources to fight back,” says the ACLU on its website.
“Hostile Territory: Mapping Michigan’s Anti-LGBTQ+ Movement & other Government Acts of Censorship” is a response to the proliferation of book bans – the vast majority targeting LGBTQ+ characters and themes – from public libraries and schools across the state. The map also tracks other instances of censorship by local governments and public schools to ban Pride Flags and other symbols of support for the LGBTQ+ community.
The map is a resource to educate and provide advocacy tools for students, parents, and communities to fight back against these unprecedented attacks on our First Amendment rights. It also builds on the critical work already being done by many organizations, including the MI Right to Read Coalition led by the Michigan Library Association.
“Over the past year, there have been more than 3,000 book bans across the nation, most of which target materials that feature the LGBTQ+ community, people of color and other marginalized communities,” said Loren Khogali, ACLU of Michigan Executive Director, in a statement. “These coordinated and dangerous attacks undermine our First Amendment rights, and thwart the free exchange of information, ideas, and knowledge. Efforts to ban Pride flags and other symbols of LGBTQ+ support sends the message that LGBTQ+ people and students are not welcome, and fosters hate that is especially harmful to young people. We must protect the right to read so that we can freely learn and talk about the history, viewpoints and ideas of all communities in our state and nation. We will continue to combat these attacks on our First Amendment Rights and empower communities throughout Michigan to engage in this important work with us.”
While the map tracks only incidents that have resulted in a formal review process and final decision, instances of censorship often occur out of sight of the public and directly impact school and public libraries, the ACLU said.
“It is our hope that this map helps educate people about what is happening in Michigan, adds to the critical work already being done by many organizations, including the MI Right to Read Coalition led by the Michigan Library Association, and provides resources to fight back,” says the ACLU on its website.
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