HOUSTON, Texas – Texas has emerged as the national leader in book ban attempts, fueled by recent legislation and growing concerns among parents and educators.
According to the American Library Association (ALA), book challenges have surged across the state, with 2023 seeing an unprecedented 4,240 titles challenged. This trend reflects a broader national increase but positions Texas at the forefront.
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The catalyst for this surge appears to be the enactment of HB 900 on Sept. 1, 2023, by the Texas Legislature.
This law mandates school library vendors to assess and rate books based on sexual content, requiring the recall of those categorized as sexually explicit.
However, the law’s implementation has not been without contention.
Several Houston and Austin bookshops, alongside organizations such as the American Booksellers Association and the Authors Guild, have challenged HB 900, citing constitutional concerns and logistical hurdles.
The Texas State Teachers Association (TSTA) and other educators have also voiced their disapproval, highlighting the potential for overreach and censorship inherent in the vague rating system. They argue that the law could lead to the unjust banning or restriction of materials, particularly those offering LGBTQ perspectives or content that may be deemed objectionable by some.
The implications of these legislative moves are significant, as nearly half of the challenged books represent voices from racial minorities and the LGBTQ+ community.
Titles like “Sold,” “The Bluest Eye” by Toni Morrison, and “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” have been notably targeted, according to educators.
In Fort Bend ISD, a Houston area school district, several titles have already been added to a “do not order” list for fall 2024, underscoring the impact of these policies.
As the new Texas Legislative session commenced last month, State Representative Fallon introduced HB 183, a bill proposing to grant the State Board of Education the authority to review and ban books deemed inappropriate from school libraries statewide.
This indicates that the debate over book bans in Texas is far from over.
