Banned Books Week is here and CBLDF has some amazing events planned to help “keep the light on” as this year’s theme suggests! This year’s festivities run from September 22 – 28, 2019. Activities can include everything from stopping by your local library to check out their display to enrolling in a free webinar about censorship. However, you choose to spend Banned Books Week, spread the word and the love of reading with those who matter to you. Check out these live and online events, and find links to more resources to help you spread the light.
The Power to Inspire: Comics, Community & The Future of Intellectual Freedom
Tuesday, September 24, 2019 4 – 5:30 PM
University of Wisconsin, Stout
CBLDF Executive Director Charles Brownstein leads a discussion with Lopa Basu, Professor, English and Philosophy Department, Cory Mitchell, Collection Development Librarian, and moderator Tim Shiell, CSII Director about Banned Books Week. Pulling on his extensive experience on the front lines of free expression, Brownstein will discuss the changing faces of censorship throughout history into the modern era, as well as tools that people can utilize to fight for free expression when the opportunity arises. This is a free, in-person, event, so make sure you register today.
CBLDF Free Webinar Series: Addressing Identity Censorship
Friday, September 27, 2019, 12:00 – 1:30 pm PST
Online, open to all
Identity censorship is the most frequent form of intellectual freedom challenge in today’s environment. From moral panic about Drag Queen Story Hour to frequent challenges to LGBTQ+ comics, books, and authors, this disturbing trend is gaining traction. CBLDF engages a panel of experts to help you identify and intelligently address this growing problem. In the past year, CBLDF has participated in defending challenges and bans of books solely because they contain LGBTQ+ characters, curriculum rejected because it focused on LGBTQ+ titles, and community programs canceled solely because program participants identify as LGBTQ+. In this webinar, we will speak with individuals who’ve been on the front lines of this issue to identify the contours of the problem and discuss strategies for managing it. In addition to receiving CBLDF’s “Fighting Identity Censorship Toolkit,” all webinar participants are invited to share their own stories and receive face-to-face expert advice on managing identity censorship issues.
Panelists:
Lilah Sturges is a New York Times Bestselling writer whose works include the Prism Award-winning Lumberjanes: The Infernal Compass, The Magicians: Alice’s Story, and numerous titles for DC Comics and other publishers. She lives in Austin, Texas with two teenage daughters and two cats.
John Spears, Chief Librarian, and CEO of Pikes Peak Library District in Colorado Springs, CO.
Cartoonists & Freedom of Expression
Saturday, September 28, 2019, 1:00 – 1:50 pm
Association of American Editorial Cartoonists (AAEC) at the Cartoon Crossroads Columbus Festival (CXC) in Columbus Ohio
CBLDF Executive Director Charles Brownstein will join internationally acclaimed cartoonists, PX Molina, Ann Telnes, and Zunar, as well as experts in free expression from our friends at Cartoonists Rights Network International for a lively discussion about the state of cartoonists as free speech in the world today. This open panel discussion is an opportunity to highlight some of the dangers cartoonists are facing around the world, and the cartoonists present have experienced. If you’re in the Columbus area, you won’t want to miss this amazing panel. Learn more about the festival, which runs the 26th of September through the 29th, at http://cartooncrossroadscolumbus.com/ .
And stay posted to CBLDF.org for updaes of other great events happening all week.