Democratic-Led States, Including Minnesota, Take a Stand Against Censorship by Banning Book Bans

Minnesota Teen Leads Effort to Protect Books on LGBTQ+ and Racial Themes

In a time when book challenges and bans are on the rise across the country, one Minnesota teen is taking a stand to protect literature that represents marginalized communities. Shae Ross, an 18-year-old senior in Bloomington, Minnesota, led a successful campaign to make it more difficult to remove books dealing with sexuality, gender, and race from school libraries and classrooms.

Ross, who identifies as queer, was alarmed by conservative groups in her community pushing to ban books that reflected her own experiences. With the help of her friends, she lobbied the school board to implement policies that would safeguard these important materials.

The issue of book bans has become a hot topic in many states, with over 4,200 works targeted in 2023, according to the American Library Association. Many of these challenged books focus on LGBTQ+ and racial themes, sparking debates about censorship and freedom of expression.

While some conservative parents argue that certain books are inappropriate for young readers, activists like Ross are fighting back. Several states, including Maryland and Washington, have passed legislation to protect books from being banned based on ideological objections.

In Minnesota, lawmakers are working on bills to prevent book bans in public and school libraries. Ross’s activism has not only made a difference in her own community but has also inspired others to stand up for diverse voices in literature.

As the debate over book bans continues to unfold, it is clear that young activists like Shae Ross are leading the charge to protect the right to access diverse and inclusive books in schools and libraries.