If there’s one thing that the ACLU is known for, it’s free speech.
We believe in a society where ideas are openly disseminated, discussed, and debated. We believe in the right to access information, and the right to make up your own mind.
We believe in an educated citizenry – that our country functions best when citizens exercise their right to read, learn, and explore the world around them. We believe that the right to disagree is fundamental to our democracy. MORE »« LESS
That’s why, for the last 15 years, the ACLU of Texas has celebrated Banned Books Week every September around the start of the school year and has released a report on the state of censorship in our public schools.
Each year, we contact every school district in Texas to:
- Find out which books have been banned or restricted;
- Figure out why books are taken off the shelves;
- Ensure the process of limiting access to materials is fair; and
- Bring banned books back into circulation.
Did you know that 87 books were challenged in Texas last year? Twenty were removed from school shelves, oftentimes because the book contained profanity, as in an Iraq War veteran’s memoir, or sexual content, as in Judy Blume’s Forever.
In many schools, the decision is made by a single person, or a panel of three; once a book’s been banned, there often is no way to reinstate it.
Of all the things that can harm us, or our children, we simply don’t believe books are one of them.
Find out some of the books that have been banned in Texas.
Our Favorite Banned Books »
Attend a read-in to express your support for un-banning books.
Hold a Read-in »
Contact us if you believe censorship is a major problem in your community.
Contact us »
