A recent study has shed light on the alarming trend of women of color being disproportionately represented among authors of books that have been banned or challenged in American schools. The study, conducted by the Southern Poverty Law Center’s Teaching Tolerance project, found that between 1990 and 2019, women of color were 10 times more likely to have written books that were banned or challenged in schools than their white counterparts.
The study analyzed more than 11,000 books that were challenged or banned in schools over the past three decades, and found that women of color were responsible for writing over 71% of these banned books. The majority of these authors were Black women, accounting for nearly 60% of the total.
The study’s findings suggest that the reasons for these books being banned or challenged are often rooted in systemic racism and sexism. Many of the books by women of color deal with themes of race, identity, and social justice, which may be perceived as challenging or threatening by some individuals or groups. The study also found that the majority of the books challenged or banned were written by authors of color and were about people of color, highlighting the intersection of racism and sexism.
The study’s findings are not surprising, given the long history of exclusion and marginalization of women of color in American literature. The absence of representation and diversity in literature can perpetuate harmful stereotypes and erase the experiences and voices of marginalized communities. The study’s findings highlight the need for greater representation and diversity in literature, as well as a greater understanding of the historical and systemic factors that contribute to the marginalization of women of color.
The study’s authors are calling for educators and policymakers to take action to address the issue of ban and challenged books, and to promote greater diversity and representation in literature. They are also advocating for greater support for authors of color and the creation of more diverse and inclusive literature.
