Presented by Creative Writing: BANNED: A Banned Books Reading

Wednesday October 5 2022, Highland Campus Rm 2.2560, 7pm-8pm.

It’s the return of the Banned Books Week reading, and you and your students are all invited! And sure we are going to be a couple weeks after the official national celebration, but the ALA changed weeks (normally last week of September) and, really, censorship happens more than just one week a year!

As usual we are gathering to raise awareness about censorship in our artistic spaces and honor literary works that have been challenged or banned across the nation. Despite the wording of the poster, it’s not just me reading; the event will follow our time- honored format– various readers reading from different works challenged or banned. This year’s readers include Chris Gardner (ECH Liaison) and Marcus McQuirter (Drama), among others!

Texas has the longest banned books list in the nation (Everything is bigger in Texas, no?), topping out at 801 books at last check. This event aims to raise community awareness about limits being placed on creativity and on expression, and offer opportunities for discussion and ways to get involved to fight the banning of works. If you offer extra credit in your course, it’s a great opportunity for your students to learn, and to buffer their grades!

The event is free and open to the public, but there is a CONTENT WARNING for this event.

5 October 2022, Highland Campus Rm 2560, 7pm-8pm.