Student Testimony: Censorship ≠ Protection

By Zeinab Dembele

This testimony about the dangers of book bans is by DCPS School Without Walls high school student Zeinab Dembele, who is a participant in Mikva Challenge DC via Mr. Williams class.

Do you remember your first time in a library? Did you ever stop to appreciate the glory around you while walking down the rows of thousands of pages filled with pure magic, knowledge, and the quiet promise of finding yourself somewhere within those pages?

Now imagine if that was taken away from you. What if your ability to learn, explore, and cultivate your interests was taken away under the guise of protection?

That is exactly what's happening to millions of young people impacted by the removal of diverse books related to race, gender, and sexuality. Since July 2021, 22,810 books have been banned across 45 states and 451 school districts. In the 24-25 school year alone, officials banned 6,870 books across 23 states and 87 districts. These bans restrict creativity and truth, violating the freedom of speech of 2,308 authors.

What exactly is a book ban? According to PEN America, a book ban occurs when an action is taken against a book based based on its content and as a result of parent or community challenges, administrative decisions, or in response to direct or threatened action by governmental officials, that leads to a book being either completely removed from availability to students, or where access to a book is restricted or diminished.

Local and state policies don’t place as many bans on pornography or inappropriate content as they do on truth. These bans focus on silencing books written by people of color, LGBTQ+ authors, and books that explore themes of identity, empathy, and history.

For kids like me, kids who grew up on books and relied on school libraries, these policies are not just book bans. They are an attack: on our right to learn; our right to question our society and communities; and our right to use history to make changes for the future. Without the books I read as a kid, I wouldn’t be the person I am today. They didn’t just teach me proper grammatical structures and expand my vocabulary, they taught me what it means to have empathy, how to speak up for what you believe in; and most importantly, they helped me find myself. Because of these qualities I gained by reading so much as a child, I am able to speak here in front of you today and bring awareness to the book bans happening across the country right now.

I am also able to recognize that democracy cannot thrive in silence. It survives only when curious minds and brave hearts challenge authority, and it is books that nurtures those minds and hearts. I know that when I am told books are banned for my own safety, it is a lie. Book bans don’t aim to protect kids, they aim to control them. To control what we know and question, which will affect how we think and act. Fear is what drives these actions. Fear of truth, compassion, and most importantly, change.

So I urge you all; write a letter to your state elected officials, get in contact with your State Board of Education, send a letter to Congress, or even donate to free speech organizations such as PEN America or the National Coalition against Censorship in America. These acts which may seem minor are bound to go a long way, and if even 1 child is able to read freely as a result of it, then both you and I have contributed to bettering the future of this country.