Banned Books Reading 2019

On Tuesday, Oct. 1, Sigma Tau Delta, the English Honor Society, partnered with the Ort Library at Frostburg State University (FSU) to host their annual Banned Books Reading.

Launched in 1982, Banned Books Week takes place annually, celebrating the freedom to read. Banned Books Week typically takes place during the last week of September, and it was created in response to a sudden surge in the number of challenges to books in schools, libraries, and bookstores. This week brings readers together, supporting the freedom to express ideas, including the ones some consider “unorthodox” or “unpopular”. Banned Books Week 2019 took place from Sept. 22 to Sept. 28 with the theme, “Censorship Leaves Us in the Dark. Keep the Light On!” This theme is supposed to serve as a reminder that people need to speak out against censorship.

Some common reasons for banning books include racial issues, encouragement of “damaging lifestyles”, blasphemous dialogue, sexual situations or dialogue, violence or negativity, presence of witchcraft, religious affiliations, political bias, and age-inappropriate content.

Victoria Costa, the president of Sigma Tau Delta, introduced the event with a brief history of banned books, explaining the significance of Banned Books Week.

Following, Phillip Fralin, Jordan Beachy, Tiffany Gulick, Kat Wharton, Lillian Johnson, Kevin Knott, and Jennifer Browne each read a captivating excerpt from a banned book of their choice to audience members.

Maria, a sophomore at FSU commented, “I never realized how many books have been banned. This event really opened my eyes to the importance of educating people on banned books.”

The next Banned Books reading at FSU will take place in 2020.