Pop icon Pink has announced her intention to give away 2,000 books at her Miami and Sunrise concerts, drawing attention to ongoing debates surrounding ‘book censorship’ in Florida schools in the US.
These ‘banned’ books are reportedly among those that have faced removal or bans in some Florida districts due to their content on sexuality, gender identity, and race. Pink, in collaboration with Pen America – an organisation that advocates for freedom of expression for authors— will be handing out copies of these titles to concert attendees.
Pink’s initiative comes amid the increasing concerns over the removal of certain books from libraries and classrooms in Florida. While Pink and Pen America assert that these books have been banned or challenged in the state, the schools involved have not officially labeled them as “banned.”
According to a statement released by Pen, Pink says:
“Books have held a special joy for me from the time I was a child, and that’s why I am unwilling to stand by and watch while books are banned by schools,”
“It’s especially hateful to see authorities take aim at books about race and racism and against LGBTQ authors and those of color. We have made so many strides toward equality in this country and no one should want to see this progress reversed. This is why I am supporting PEN America in its work and why I agree with them: no more banned books.”
The titles slated for distribution at Pink’s concerts include Beloved by Toni Morrison, The Family Book by Todd Parr, The Hill We Climb by Amanda Gorman, and Girls Who Code by Reshma Saujani. These books, according to Pen America, have been subjects of contention in various Florida districts.
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Pen America reports that Florida has seen a significant number of incidents where books have been removed from schools, accounting for over 40% of documented instances across the United States. Allegedly, approximately half of Florida’s school districts have reported cases of book bans.
Florida officials, including Governor Ron DeSantis and the Department of Education, have rejected claims of banning books, emphasising their efforts to ensure appropriate material for students.
Pink’s decision to distribute these books at her concerts has drawn attention to the broader conversation about censorship, educational content, and the balance between unrestricted access to literature and ensuring age-appropriate material for students.
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Feature Image: Instagram / @pink
