Nationwide — A growing wave of book bans, curriculum censorship, and removal of items from museums is wiping Black history out of sight from American citizens, and Black librarians are sounding the alarm.With over 2,500 documented censorship attempts in 2023 alone, books by and about Black Americans are being targeted at historic rates, according to the American Library Association. Librarians warn that this trend is not random: it’s part of a long, deliberate effort to silence Black voices.
“This isn’t just about banning books. It’s about erasing our history,” says Rodney Freeman, librarian and producer of the upcoming documentary Are You A Librarian? “If we do not tell the stories of Black struggle and resilience, we erase the very foundation of American democracy.”
A Historic Struggle for the Right to Know
Today’s censorship is the latest chapter in a long fight against Black erasure. During slavery, laws forbade Black Americans from learning to read. In the Jim Crow era, Black citizens were barred from public libraries or relegated to underfunded, segregated branches. Even then, Black communities fought back—creating secret reading societies, launching “read-in” protests, and demanding access to knowledge.
“Black literacy has always been a radical act of resistance,” Freeman said. “Today’s book bans are a modern version of those old chains.”
Librarians on the Frontlines
Historically, Black librarians have been the unsung heroes of cultural preservation. Figures like Arturo Schomburg, Vivian G. Harsh, and Dorothy Porter Wesley built archives when mainstream institutions erased Black stories. Their work ensured that future generations would know their true heritage.
Now, modern Black librarians carry on that legacy. From organizing banned-book displays to leading community teach-ins to providing materials that would go unnoticed by the average American, they are fighting to keep diverse stories alive amid mounting political pressure.
“Without Black librarians, much of our history would have been erased already,” Freeman said. “Now the question is: will we let it happen again?”
A National Crisis, An Urgent Call
Censorship today disproportionately targets Black, Indigenous, and LGBTQ+ authors, creating a chilling effect across libraries and schools. In some states, teachers face penalties simply for mentioning systemic racism or slavery.
“Freedom to read is freedom to think,” Freeman emphasized. “And freedom to think is non-negotiable in a democracy.”
Black librarians urge journalists, educators, and the public to act now by reporting on censorship efforts, supporting diverse libraries, and pushing back against policies that seek to whitewash history.
“This is not just a library issue—it’s a fight for America’s soul.”
For interviews with Rodney Freeman or other Black librarians on the frontlines, please contact Rodney Freeman at rodneyfreeman@reminiscepreservation.com