Sept. 24 marked the beginning of Banned Books Week, an annual event orchestrated by the American Library Association. During this week, readers are encouraged to seek out and explore books deemed inappropriate by school districts.
Powell’s Books hosted its own celebration of banned books Sunday. With speakers, readings and celebration, books once locked away were brought into the spotlight.
Sept. 24 marked the beginning of Banned Books Week, an annual event orchestrated by the American Library Association. During this week, readers are encouraged to seek out and explore books deemed inappropriate by school districts.
Powell’s Books hosted its own celebration of banned books Sunday. With speakers, readings and celebration, books once locked away were brought into the spotlight.
A crowd of more than 60 people filled the Pearl room of Powell’s. As the show went on, seating soon ran out and many happily sat on the floor to enjoy the event.
Young and old alike attended. Gray-haired, white-collar business folk meshed with pierced youths in a celebration of knowledge and freedom.
“It’s important for us to highlight our freedom of expression, our freedom of speech,” said Sarah Armstrong, outreach and office coordinator for the American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon. Armstrong organized the event at Powell’s as well as several other banned-book events in Portland.
There were 348 reported challenges to books in libraries and schools nationwide last year, according to the American Library Association. Challenges to books occur on a case-by-case basis and are usually handled at the district or school level. Successfully challenged books are removed from the school library and the curriculum.
The organization also estimates that an additional 70 to 80 percent of these challenges were never reported.
Challenges are most often raised by parents who feel that the material is inappropriate for children or teens of a certain grade level.
Powell’s celebrated freedom of speech by inviting local writers to read some of their favorite banned or challengeable literature. Selections from classics were read, as well as work relating to censorship.
“You’ve probably read a banned book without knowing it,” said Andi Zeisler, editor of Bitch Magazine, who served as emcee for the event. This is the second year in a row she has participated in Banned Books Week.
Local author Chelsea Cain kicked off the night by reading a haunting selection from Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood.
“It’s disturbing because Capote lets the killers tell the story,” Cain said. She went on to describe the book as “frightening” and said that it forces the reader to face humanity of the murderers.
Jonathan Hall, illustrator of the graphic novel Americus, read a selection of the work that deals with a Christian group in a small town attempting to ban a series of books. The satirical piece gives an extreme example of what brings people to challenge books.
Courtenay Hameister of local radio show Live Wire! read an “edited” version of Judy Blume’s classic Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. The original is one of the most challenged books and still appears on banned books lists today.
The hilariously revamped version of Are You There, presented by Hameister, takes the challenges of the book to the extreme, including guns, crudeness and cursing aplenty. The crowd roared with laughter.
The night closed with Arthur Bradford, a father of two who read from James and the Giant Peach, a surprising title to see on a banned books list. The classic tale for children by Roald Dahl tells the story of a boy’s remarkable journey yet sometimes feels too macabre for children.
“I was looking forward to reading from books that were banned and contested because they’re the most interesting,” Bradford said in his
opening remarks.
For anyone looking to join in this scandalous event, additional celebrations are being held across the city this week.
Saturday at the Someday Lounge, the American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon will hold an “uncensored” event with live music, readings from banned books, burlesque and dancing. The event begins at 9 p.m. and tickets are $7.
Additionally, Susan Herman, president of the organization, is speaking at Powell’s Monday, Oct. 3, about her new book Taking Liberties: The War on Terror and the Erosion of American Democracy. This event is free and begins at 7:30 p.m.
