A group of authors, publishers and organizations (including the Association of American Publishers) have created a book caravan to bring “contraband” books back into Tuscon, Arizona schools.
Beginning March 12th, the Librotraficante (featured in the video embedded above) will caravan from Houston to Tucson handing out banned books. Follow this link if you want to donate to the cause.
Last year, Arizona passed the controversial H.B. 2281, a bill banning school curriculum “designed primarily for pupils of a particular ethnic group.” Along with the bill, a number of ethnic studies books have been removed from school district shelves (list follows below).
Books on the list included: Dictionary of Latino Civil Rights History by F.A. Rosales; De Colores Means All of Us: Latina Views Multi-Colored Century by E.S. Martinez; and Drown by J. Diaz.
Arizona’s H.B. 2281 declares: “a school district or charter school in this state shall not include in its program of instruction any courses or classes that include any of the following: promote the overthrow of the United States government, promote resentment toward a race or class of people, are designed primarily for pupils of a particular ethnic group or advocate ethnic solidarity instead of the treatment of pupils as individuals.”