UMSSW’s Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is exploring these topics and their impact on education and the social work discipline and is holding a Faculty Focus event Oct. 8.
American author Ursula K. Le Guin once said, "A dangerous book will always be in danger from those it threatens with the demand that they question their assumptions. They'd rather hang on to the assumptions and ban the book."
Every September, authors, libraries, and bookstores celebrate the freedom to read with Banned Books Week (Sept. 22-28, 2024). Launched in 1982 in response to a surge in challenges to books in schools, libraries, and bookstores, Banned Books Week draws attention to the harms of censorship by focusing on efforts to remove or restrict access to books. For instance, the American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom reported having the highest number of challenged book titles in 2023. Unfortunately, these challenges will continue to rise and expand to other areas, like the classroom.
For the past three years, we've seen a surge in anti-DEI legislation limiting diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in schools and workplaces. Often framed as protecting freedom or neutrality, these measures are closely connected to the wave of book bans sweeping the nation. Both movements seek to silence marginalized voices and restrict access to critical perspectives on race, gender, and identity —topics central to understanding our shared history and humanity. Beyond creating opportunities for diverse students to see themselves, DEI and diverse books connect us to stories and histories that widen our scope and push us to question our current reality. Moreover, banning books diminishes the quality of education students receive by limiting access to diverse perspectives that make our society unique.
During this time of intense political polarization, it's important to remember the true goal of book bans and anti-DEI legislation: controlling narratives that challenge the status quo. By erasing stories highlighting injustice and marginalized communities' lived experiences, these efforts stifle open dialogue and inhibit the critical thinking necessary to create a just and equitable society. While these actions may seem targeted at specific groups, the truth is they impact everyone, regardless of identity, political affiliation, or profession. Limiting access to diverse ideas and perspectives harms our collective ability to learn, grow, and engage with one another across differences.
The UMSSW’s Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is working hard to explore these topics and their impact on education and the Social Work discipline. We invite you to attend the upcoming "Faculty Focus: The Anti-DEI Landscape: How We Got Here and How We Fight It!" event on Oct. 8. This event will explore the rise of anti-DEI legislation, its far-reaching consequences, and what we can do to counter these efforts. Together, we can stand against these restrictions and continue advocating for a society that values inclusion and equity.
To register for the Faculty Focus, click here.
To learn more about Banned Books Week, click here.
Note: This article reflects the thoughts or opinions of its individual authors and may not represent the thoughts or values of UMB as an institution.