Across the country, school districts and local libraries are banning children’s books that critics say contain topics too controversial and offensive to teach in the classroom, including LGBTQ+ relationships, the Holocaust and critical race theory .
However, many people think otherwise, saying that children’s books use characters and creative storytelling to educate young readers and help them develop and understand their identity.
These controversial book banning campaigns largely target authors of color.
This week on basic blackwe chat with children’s book authors of color to learn more about their published works, their inspiration for their characters and storytelling, and how creators navigate the modern publishing industry.
Host Callie Crossley will be joined by guest panelists: Jabari Asim, author and professor at Emerson College; Mia Wenjen, author and co-founder of Multicultural Children’s Book Day; Denise Adusei, co-founding member of Black Creators HQ and Latinx Pitch; and Dr. Rajani LaRocca, physician and Newbery Award-winning author of “Red, White, and Whole.”
Watch the latest Basic Black tonight at 7:30 p.m. on GBH 2, or live here on our website below. You can also watch on the GBH News YouTube channel. Subscribe to receive notifications of future premiere episodes.
