Syracuse Sun

More than a dozen books are now banned from all public schools in Utah under a new state law. It is the latest in what is a growing trend across the United States. In an April report, PEN America stated that there were more than 4,000 instances of school book bans in the fall of 2023, more than twice the number from the previous spring.

Katherine Kidd, an English Studies professor at Syracuse University who organizes a banned book read-out event each year, shared her insights on the new law and its broader implications.

When asked if anything about this latest banning effort stood out to her, Kidd remarked: "It’s hard not to think of it as part and parcel to the broader trend toward censorship and suppression of information, and the repression of marginalized identities, especially the aims of Project 2025, which seeks to create a conservative Christian social order by way of government restructuring."

She noted that almost all of Utah’s recent book bans involve works written by women about women's experiences. "That it’s happening statewide in Utah is not entirely surprising," she said but expressed concern that Utah's unique religious demographics might obscure details about the actual law. According to Kidd, "The law passed there that has allowed for this banning is actually bananas." She explained that only three out of over forty statewide school districts need to find content pornographic or offensive for a ban to take effect statewide.

Despite these concerns, Kidd acknowledged a potential positive outcome: "A silver lining is that for some authors and books, a banning or contestation can amplify the message."

Discussing the impact on young readers and their teachers, Kidd said: "As an English professor, book banning is a personal affront to the values that I hold dear." She lamented that children might struggle to find books where they see themselves or answer important questions about life. She also worried about young people being deprived of crucial lessons due to textbook bans.

Kidd highlighted how some banned books gain cultural significance: "I think Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe is such a book... Now it’s everywhere." However, she noted this does not apply universally.

Reflecting on her own childhood reading experiences, Kidd wondered how her life might have differed without access to diverse texts.

In response to what people can do against local banning efforts, she advised: "Keep yourself informed on local politics... Support and use the public library."

For further information or interviews:

Chris Munoz

Media Relations Specialist

Division of Communications

cjmunoz@syr.edu