Monthly Archives: February 2013

You all remember Boy Jim, Aunt Polly’s… “Little Helper”?

Posted on February 27, 2013 by

Earlier this month, the Washington Post reported on a mother’s attempt to have Toni Morrison’s Beloved banned from AP English classes in Fairfax County. When we heard about the challenge, we immediately contacted board members to take the temperature of the situation. … Continue reading →

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Just Like the Original, Teen-Lit Version of Homer’s “Iliad” Contains Sex, Gossip and Violence

Posted on February 25, 2013 by

…and this was a problem for the mother of a student in Pennsylvania, who recently lodged a challenge against Adele Geras’ Troy (Scholastic). The book was housed in the Northwestern Lehigh Middle School library and will stay there: the school board voted … Continue reading →

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5 Books They Dont Want You Reading: Black History Month Edition

Posted on February 20, 2013 by

Despite receiving accolades ranging from the National Book Award to the Pulitzer, these five notorious novels have been banned by schools across the United States. Their Eyes Were Watching God —Zora Neal Hurston, 1937 “Their Eyes Were Watching God” is a … Continue reading →

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Sherman Alexie Talks to NCAC’s the Write Stuff About Being Banned

Posted on February 19, 2013 by

Sherman Alexie tells the Write Stuff about how it feels to be challenged, why he’s determined to keep writing controversial books for teens, and the upcoming sequel to his oft-banned, award-winning novel, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian … Continue reading →

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It’s Your Big Day, Judy Blume! Happy Birthday, Love Your Biggest Fans

Posted on February 12, 2013 by

Happy Birthday Judy, Don’t worry, your fifties will be every bit as good as your forties were. I swear, you are timeless. You have been such a warrior in the fight against censorship, and a mentor simply by your existence … Continue reading →

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Black Comedians and Censorship

“Black comics are given such strict censorship rules to follow, TV networks might as well hire somebody else,” said Black comic Rodney Perry. Check out the two clips below of legendary comic Richard Pryor. The first is his first (heavily-censored) … Continue reading →

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The Sweet Sounds of the Subversive: Billie Holiday

Since the 1920′s, disgruntled Americans have tried to ban the performing of music they deem morally unsound. From the emergence of jazz almost a century ago to modern hip-hop, cutting-edge Black music has always been at war with those who … Continue reading →

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Banning Books, Excluding Thoughts: An Animated Music Video

Posted on February 1, 2013 by

Combining a number of genres, Daniel Pritchard sends a unified message: ideas should be free to be shared and absorbed. Daniel is one of our 2012 Youth Free Expression Project Film Contest semifinalists. Like what you see? “Like” this video … Continue reading →

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Ban Harry Potter? This Teen Won’t Stand for It!

Posted on February 1, 2013 by

April Jackson dramatizes a story about her sister, who was told by their mother she wasn’t allowed to read Harry Potter because it contained witchcraft. April’s short film is one of our 2012 Youth Free Expression Project Film Contest semifinalists. … Continue reading →

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