In his chilling novel which later stood as the epitome for dystopian fiction, “1984,” George Orwell wrote, “Ignorance is strength.”
Ironically, Orwell’s “1984” is a banned book.
Book bans take place in public schools and libraries all over the United States and the numbers are rising. Each book taken off the shelf threatens intellectual freedom.
Banned Books Week takes place Oct. 4-10, raising awareness of censorship nationwide and advocating for freedom of speech. Let Freedom Read Day is on Oct. 10, a day dedicated to resisting censorship.
In the Sinclair Library, Librarian Julie McDaniel set up a display of the library’s banned books. Though the display may no longer be present, these controversial books are available for check out in the library.
Related: MyVoice: Genre stigmas and book bans make reading its own resistance
Book bans target literary works discussing a range of subjects such as corrupt governments, LGBTQ perspectives, and stories highlighting the hardships of racism and slavery in America.
In 2025, 40% of the books being challenged discussed the experiences of people of color and LGBTQ people. The 2025-2026 academic year has seen the largest amounts of book bans on record.
With the majority of book bans targeting works that highlight diversity and challenge norms, it leaves people of countless identities and backgrounds missing from the shelves of libraries.
Representation matters.
“They open windows in students’ minds, so that we can see—and celebrate—all of us,” the National Education Association writes.
Books have gone on to influence culture, how people see the world and each other, and ultimately work as bastions of endless knowledge.
“Stories are an unparalleled tool for truth, and in the face of fear of misinformation, it is paramount that truth prevails,” said Tony Weaver Jr., influencer, honorary chairperson of Banned Books Week 2026, and author of “Weirdo.”
That knowledge is power and it unites everyone when a polarized world seeks to separate human beings from one another.
In the bold words of Octavia E. Butler, in her banned novel “Parable of the Sower,” “Embrace diversity or be destroyed.”
Josofine Addison, staff writer
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