The Florida Department of Education has released the titles of more than 700 books removed from school libraries statewide during the 2023-2024 school year. Almost 400 titles were added to the list compared to the previous year, representing a dramatic increase in limiting access to diverse perspectives.

In March, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a Invoice require schools to provide a list of all books available in libraries or classroom curricula, communicate with the public any new approved books, and allow public comment and parental objection.

According to a America pen October 2024 report, Ohio has only one school district with three banned books. This highlights that the increase in books banned from school libraries can likely be attributed to DeSantis’ efforts to make removal easier and normal.

This process, however, has direct implications for freedom of expression. When parents and community members voice negative opinions and reactions about books taught or available in schools, a dangerous precedent of silencing teachers, authors, and students is set. Books integrated into the school curriculum or easily accessible in a school library are a common means of reading for young students.

The intellectual freedom and creativity that comes directly from reading is also completely hindered by the book ban. Titles such as “The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood, “Looking for Alaska” by John Green and Colleen Hoover’s “It Ends With Us” are all stories suitable for high school students, but they are banned in some Florida school districts.

The banning of these titles and hundreds of others reflects a trend toward suppressing books with important, thought-provoking themes – allowing ignorance to flourish at the expense of understanding. In a time – like middle school or high school – where mental health issues can arise, sexuality becomes a topic of discussion, and students become more aware of violence and abuse, it is crucial to have a way to find out about these subjects.

These topics, often described as taboo, are not necessarily taught in schools through direct programs. However, school boards have the power to foster an environment in which students have the opportunity to discover stories on these topics through reading.

Beyond Florida, book bans across the United States also represent the broader theme of suppressing titles dealing with topics relevant to high school students. Glossing over topics that may be easier for students to understand through fictional stories creates the false narrative that these topics are too dangerous and inappropriate to discuss.

According to America pen“44% include themes or instances of violence and physical abuse… 38% cover topics on student health and well-being… 30% are books that include instances or themes of grief and death… 30% include characters of color or discuss race and racism. …26% feature LGBTQ+ characters or themes…24% detail sexual experiences between characters…17% of books mention teen pregnancy, abortion, or sexual assault.

Banning books on such important themes for young, developing students to learn through a creative medium directly hinders their access to diverse perspectives – creating an environment full of ignorance and division.

As the writer Isaac Asimov said: “Any book worth banning is a book worth reading.”

Layne Rey is a journalism student at Ohio University. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnist do not reflect those of The post office. What are your thoughts? Let Layne know by tweeting him @laynerey12.