House Committee on Oversight and Reform: Chairman Raskin to Hold Hearing on Politically Motivated Efforts to Ban Books and Censor Free Speech in Schools and Public Libraries

UPDATE April 8, 2022  ALA Submits Comments Opposing Book Banning for House Oversight Committee Hearing (via ALA)

UPDATE April 8, 2022 Media Coverage: Congress Investigates Book Banning in Schools (via PW)

UPDATE April 7, 2022 Hearing SUMMARY: At Subcommittee Hearing, Witnesses Detail the Devastating Impact of Book Bans on Students and Teachers (via House Oversight Committee)

UPDATE April 7, 2022: A video recording of today’s hearing is available here and also embedded below. Committee Chairman Raskin’s opening statement is available here. Bios and the prepared statements of witnesses are found here.

From the House Committee on Oversight and Reform:

On Thursday, April 7, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. ET, Rep. Jamie Raskin, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, will hold a hearing to examine the ongoing efforts across the country to ban books from schools and public libraries.

Book challenges and bans are rising at unprecedented rates, with ideologically motivated organizations and legislators in Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Indiana, and other states leading campaigns to remove books from schools and public libraries.  In 2021, the American Library Association (ALA) recorded 729 challenges to remove nearly 1,600 books from school and public libraries—the highest number of attempted book bans in the 20 years that the ALA has tracked this data.  Meanwhile, some school administrators are preemptively removing library books out of fear.

Books being challenged or banned include those that discuss racial equity, have minorities as protagonists, address LGBTQ+ issues, or have Black or LGBTQ+ authors.  Many of these texts help children and young adults to recognize differences and respect the humanity of others rather than to stigmatize and shun people who are different than themselves.  However, some right-wing groups and media outlets have pushed false narratives to justify educational censorship aimed at controlling and chilling free speech.  These groups assert they are only challenging books that are “divisive” or “indoctrinate” students, but in reality are trying to ban books like Ruby Bridges Goes to School, Beloved,Families, Families, Families!, and Maus.

Studies have shown that not only do students benefit from learning experiences that utilize and highlight diversity, but that removing books about LGBTQ+ experiences from schools further stigmatizes and isolates LGBTQ+ students who are already more likely to suffer depression and consider suicide.  These bans are unpopular among most Americans, and three out of every four public-school parents believe that books should be available in school libraries on an age-appropriate basis.

The current efforts to ban books are part of a broader attack on free speech in the classroom that amounts to educational censorship.  Combatting these efforts is paramount to protecting the First Amendment rights of students and teachers, and preserving free speech in America.

WHAT:	Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Civil Liberties hearing entitled, “Free Speech Under Attack:  Book Bans and Academic Censorship.”
WHEN:	Thursday, April 7, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. ET
WHO:	Panel I Ms. Christina Ellis High School Student York County, Pennsylvania Ms. Shreya Mehta High School Student Richland, Washington Ms. Olivia Pituch High School Student York County, Pennsylvania Panel II Ms. Ruby Bridges Civil Rights Activist, Author Ms. Samantha Hull Librarian Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Ms. Jessica Berg Teacher Loudon County, Virginia Ms. Mindy Freeman Parent Bucks County, Pennsylvania Dr. Jonathan W. Pidluzny (minority witness) Vice President of Academic Affairs American Council of Trustees and Alumni Additional witnesses to be announced
WATCH:	A livestream will be available on YouTube and the Committee on Oversight and Reform website.