Banned Books Week, the annual tongue-in-cheek celebration of censorship in libraries, starts on Sunday, September 22nd. Libraries have a long history of fighting critics and officials about the inclusion of books with controversial, especially ones aimed towards children. This is a chance to push back and shine a light on why these books were challenged – and why it’s important to keep them around.
It’s not just about books though. We can have fun with controversial movies too.
DC Public Library system is celebrating the week with screenings of films based on famously challenged and banned books. Festivities kick off on Sunday with a screening of the often-criticized The Perks of Being a Wallflower, followed by others including To Kill a Mockingbird, Fahrenheit 451, and Bridge to Terabithia.
No matter where you live in DC, there’ll be a nearby library holding an event. What better way to celebrate a week about fighting censorship than embracing controversy in every medium?