Must Read: "Booklash: Literary Freedom, Online Outrage, and the Language of Harm," A Detailed Report by PEN America

I had another post planned for today, but I pushed it aside because PEN America published a detailed report entitled, "Booklash: Literary Freedom, Online Outrage, and the Language of Harm."

This detailed and well researched report is free for all to read.

It is hard out there. We all know this. I have posted often about how we have not been fighting hard enough against those who are trying to ban books. There are days I feels like fascism is winning. And let me tell you, as a granddaughter of a woman who had to flee racism or die, I don't take that statement lightly.

But, I know democracy is still in the lead because PEN America is fighting hard for every American citizen to preserve the Freedom to Read. 

They have been the lead on lawsuits that are working their way through the state court systems and winning. Severe laws trying to ban books from ever getting on a library or school library shelf are being struck down because they have put their resources and reputation on the line.

They have had a series of reports but today's is important. It is long, detailed, and you need to read it. Your patrons will see this. The news media will pick it up on all of their platforms. 

PEN America is taking the lead in this book banning conversation with their well researched and first amendment framed argument. But most importantly, they are willing to engage in the most difficult part of it all-- the fact that language is being twisted by those who want to control what others read.

This has been the hardest part for all of us. The libraries I work with just keep saying, but the Freedom to Read is for all. If these people don't want to read these books or don't want their kids to read these books, then don't. No one reads every book in the library. 

Yes, we know that. And here's the thing, those trying to get books off the shelf, know what they are doing is wrong. They are exploiting our language and twisting it. It took us too long to fight back because we thought others would not fall for the obvious twist in language. But, as I include in all of my Anti-Racist training programs, we have done a terrible job at communicating what we do at libraries for years and years. It is no wonder well meaning people are getting confused.

Even if you do not have time to read this report, just knowing it was released is important. The library is THE place in the community where conversations about books and reading happen spontaneously. Be aware of this report, and all of the work PEN America is doing. 

Bring it up with your regulars. Talk about it at the service desks with them and with other staff members. Out loud where people can hear you. Post the link on your websites and social media. Do no be afraid of getting backlash from some of the organized hate groups. PEN America has your back with research and money. They are willing to go to court for us. Let's fight back with their support.

They are changing the momentum of his battle and we need to join them. We have an ally that will play offense. Do something. Don't just keep thinking if you stay quiet people will come to their senses eventually. We are too late for that.

Here is the section from the Introduction on what you can expect from the full report. Its has everything you need to act.

Methods and Report Layout

Research for this report involved substantial desk research from publicly available sources as well as conversations with more than two dozen industry professionals, including editors, publishing executives, literary agents, authors, and attorneys. Of these interviewees, 14 of the authors, editors, and literary agents we spoke with had personally experienced or participated in a situation where a book was withdrawn from intended or actual publication. Many interviewees spoke on condition of anonymity, either to protect their professional connections or to avoid taking a public stance on a hotly debated issue. 

Part I of the report examines major debates in the literary arena on themes of identity and harm. We examine several controversies of the past few years over books that were alleged to contain harmful stereotypes, racially appropriative language, or otherwise “problematic” content when viewed through the lens of equity. This section also explores the issue of toxicity in online literary spaces and the extent to which social media outrage has impacted the book review process. We then critically examine several arguments that are gaining currency in the literary world regarding authors who write from diverse perspectives or who explore narratives from cultures not their own—that is, the question of who can write what stories.

The subsequent sections examine the ways that writers and publishers have responded to the critique that their intended or published book is dangerous or harmful—primarily allegations that the book or author is insensitive or inappropriate toward people of color or other marginalized communities.

Part II focuses on actions that authors have taken in response, while Part III focuses on actions that publishing institutions have taken. Part IV focuses on the phenomenon of publishing staff emerging as a voice of increasingly open dissent against controversial authors, to the extent of calling for publishers to cancel contracts. The report ends with conclusions and recommendations, including a call for literary and publishing institutions to uplift the Freedom to Read Statement as a set of principles that all conscientious literary citizens should support.

Click here for the full report.