Get ready to uncover a deeply troubling reality affecting American public schools today: a massive wave of book bans targeting stories central to Black history, culture, and family heritage.

This alarming trend isn’t about maintaining a quiet library—it’s a sweeping effort to censor and erase narratives that are vital to understanding the full scope of our shared history.

The Scale of Book Bans in Schools: A Flood of Suppression

During the 2023–2024 school year alone, over 10,000 books were banned across public schools nationwide. Yes, you read that correctly—TEN THOUSAND. This widespread censorship isn’t hypothetical or exaggerated—it’s happening right now.

A significant portion of these banned books focus on Black history and experiences:

• Approximately 26% of banned history and biography books center on Black subjects.
• Around 36% of all banned books feature people of color as central characters or subjects.

These removals impact more than just textbooks; they include biographies of Harriet Tubman, children’s literature about the Underground Railroad, and contemporary young adult fiction that reflects Black joy and challenges. This is not about protecting children from inappropriate material—it’s an intentional erasure of Black voices and stories from educational spaces.

Political and Cultural Drivers: The Forces Behind the Ban

The enforcement of these bans is driven by political and cultural agendas, primarily pushed by conservative and nationalist groups eager to control educational narratives. Terms like “critical race theory” have been weaponized to label truthful teaching about systemic racism and Black history as “divisive.” States such as Texas and Florida are leading this charge, with school boards imposing restrictive policies cloaked in vague reasoning like “age-inappropriate” and “politically charged,” often bypassing consultation with educators and historians.

Moreover, white supremacist and Christian nationalist groups are aggressively promoting the removal of books that positively depict Black or LGBTQ+ identities. This censorship is not about reading difficulty or age suitability—it is about maintaining power by suppressing realities of diverse communities.

The Personal Impact on Black Families

Imagine the frustration of Black parents and grandparents who see the histories they cherish and teach being systematically erased. As one wise grandmother might say, “How can I teach my grandchild about Harriet Tubman if her school forbids that story?” This censorship is deeply personal and generational, stripping Black children of the opportunity to see themselves reflected in their education.

The consequences are profound:

• Lack of Representation: Children thrive when they encounter heroes and stories that mirror their own identities. Without representation, identity and self-worth can suffer.
• Distorted History: Sanitizing slavery and systemic racism breeds ignorance—not understanding.
• Eroded Civic Awareness: Without knowledge of past struggles for civil rights, youth are less equipped to engage in activism and social justice.
• Emotional Toll: Families feel silenced and powerless as essential narratives vanish from schools.

Growing up disconnected from one’s history is like planting a garden without seeds—there is no foundation to grow from.

Examples of Banned Works

Some of the most impactful stories facing censorship include:

• Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad—critical lessons about a heroic figure are being removed.
• Books on Police Brutality and Civil Rights—raw accounts of America’s ongoing racial challenges are labeled “too real” and thus banned.
• Children’s Literature Depicting Black Life—picture books and YA novels celebrating Black culture and childhood are being prohibited, cutting off cultural affirmation early.

This defies the principle of educational inclusivity.

Why This Matters: The Stakes Are High

Education shapes how individuals view the world, themselves, and others. Removing Black history from curricula doesn’t just harm Black students—it impoverishes the entire community’s understanding. Research consistently shows that students of color excel with inclusive, accurate educational content, which promotes higher self-esteem and engagement. Erasing these histories perpetuates ignorance and entrenches systemic racism.

Moreover, teaching honest American history, including its uncomfortable truths, is essential in fostering empathy and nurturing responsible, informed citizens.

Combating Censorship: Community Resistance

Thankfully, there’s organized resistance to this cultural censorship:

• Community Read-Ins and Book Drives: When schools ban books, communities buy and share them to keep stories alive.
• Supporting Libraries and Independent Bookstores: Local institutions remain committed to preserving diverse literature.
• Advocating for Transparent Review Policies: Calls for decision-making that includes educators, historians, and families.
• Amplifying Voices via Social Media and Public Forums: Raising awareness to prevent censorship from going unnoticed.

Organizations like the NAACP and PEN America are also leading legal efforts to defend or restore access to banned books, proving that the power of the pen is mightier than any ban hammer.

Final Thoughts: A Call to Action

The campaign against Black literature in public schools is not a simple disagreement about reading lists—it is cultural erasure and an attack on identity, pride, and truth for Black families. Preserving access to Black family stories is a crucial fight for justice, inclusion, and dignity.

What can you do?

• Support policies that protect diverse and inclusive literature in schools and libraries.
• Advocate for curricula that fully and honestly cover Black history.
• Donate to or volunteer with organizations fighting book bans.
• Read and share Black voices within your communities.

Knowledge is not just power—it’s liberation embodied in story. Our stories matter. Our stories will not be erased.

And yes, this will be on the test.

References

• Teachers College Columbia University: What You Need to Know About the Book Bans Sweeping the US (2023)
• PEN America: Book Bans in Schools Sweep Across Genres and Topics (2025)
• Unite Against Book Bans: 2023 Book Bans
• NAACP: Resources on Banning Books

Let’s keep turning pages—together.