More than Censorship: How Banning Books Reinforces Fear in our Society
Disciplines
Quantitative, Qualitative, Comparative, and Historical Methodologies | Social Psychology and Interaction | Sociology | Theory, Knowledge and Science
Abstract (300 words maximum)
Over the past several years we have seen a rise in the banning of books in our nation. Individual states are free to govern their public and school libraries by enacting legislation that limits the reading material available to its citizens. In the media are hearing of higher rates of LGBT+ and Critical Race Theory books being banned and this effort to "limit children's exposure" to these topics seems to be rationalizing and reinforcing fear of the people society sees as "other." We know how these groups become the "other," but our government (state and federal) wishes to ignore the pressing need to address how American history is being incorrectly taught. Part of this process involves the banning of book that send a contradicting message, especially to our children who are still in school. We have many studies on Fear and many studies on Banned book (subject matter, location, reasonings) but we should also consider how the banning books could be reenforcing systemic fear in our society encouraging people to distance themselves from the "other" and be fearful of what they might do or how they might influence our children. Data Analysis using scholarly research data and credible current and historical textual or visual data. The sources used will be on the subjects of fear in society, weaponization of literacy, banned books in America, and the effects of censorship on society to determine if banning books generates and reinforce fear in American Society.
This study will utilize a historical-comparative methodology which utilizes historical evidence to construct a reality. Historical-comparative research uses primary sources, records, secondary sources, and recollections to inform the research and support the researcher’s hypothesis. This research will compare instances of weaponized literacy, book banning, and societal fear throughout American history to develop an argument supporting the hypothesis.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
RCHSS - Sociology & Criminal Justice
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Joel Crombez
More than Censorship: How Banning Books Reinforces Fear in our Society
Over the past several years we have seen a rise in the banning of books in our nation. Individual states are free to govern their public and school libraries by enacting legislation that limits the reading material available to its citizens. In the media are hearing of higher rates of LGBT+ and Critical Race Theory books being banned and this effort to "limit children's exposure" to these topics seems to be rationalizing and reinforcing fear of the people society sees as "other." We know how these groups become the "other," but our government (state and federal) wishes to ignore the pressing need to address how American history is being incorrectly taught. Part of this process involves the banning of book that send a contradicting message, especially to our children who are still in school. We have many studies on Fear and many studies on Banned book (subject matter, location, reasonings) but we should also consider how the banning books could be reenforcing systemic fear in our society encouraging people to distance themselves from the "other" and be fearful of what they might do or how they might influence our children. Data Analysis using scholarly research data and credible current and historical textual or visual data. The sources used will be on the subjects of fear in society, weaponization of literacy, banned books in America, and the effects of censorship on society to determine if banning books generates and reinforce fear in American Society.
This study will utilize a historical-comparative methodology which utilizes historical evidence to construct a reality. Historical-comparative research uses primary sources, records, secondary sources, and recollections to inform the research and support the researcher’s hypothesis. This research will compare instances of weaponized literacy, book banning, and societal fear throughout American history to develop an argument supporting the hypothesis.