Established in 1982, Banned Books Week was launched in response to the sudden surge in the number of challenges to books in libraries, bookstores, and schools. Banned Books Week is an annual event highlighting the value of free and open access to information and brings together the entire book community — librarians, educators, authors, publishers, booksellers, and readers of all types — in shared support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas. Over 4000 books were targeted, challenged, or banned in the U.S. in 2023, nearly double the amount of 2022.
Our local Desert Split Open Mic reading series will be hosting their Banned Books Week celebration at the Beatnik Lounge this Sunday, September 22nd. This will be the third year in a row The Desert Split Open reading series has been celebrating Banned Books Week. DSO founder Susan Rukeyser says, “This year’s event will feature an open mic, because if there was ever a time to consciously exercise our right to free speech, it is now.” Since DSO focuses feminist, queer, or otherwise radical work, Rukeyser encourages attendees to read poetry or prose within those parameters. 6 minute maximum; no minimum. Especially encouraged is work by and about BIPOC and/or LGBTQ+ people, currently the material most targeted by would-be book banners.
Attendees can also read from one of the banned and challenged books Rukeyser will have on hand. Books are free to take home, and every attendee will be offered a free raffle ticket for a bundle of banned-book swag. It all takes place at the Beatnik Lounge in downtown Joshua Tree this Sunday from 6-8 PM.
