A Birthday Cake for George Washington: The Problem with Banishing Books
Scholastic's decision to cease distribution of a controversial children's book raises some fundamental questions about free speech and self-censorship.
Scholastic's decision to cease distribution of a controversial children's book raises some fundamental questions about free speech and self-censorship.
After two visitors complained about a painting, a small gallery space in Vero Beach told an artist to remove the piece.
Two new bills are designed to empower ideologically-driven activists to shape what is taught in Florida's classrooms.
Are young people not so hot on free speech these days? Maybe. But it's not a new thing, and it's not just young people.
Free speech zones. Book banning. Facebook's nudity rules. The hysteria over 'Islamic indoctrination.' Let's review just some of the threats to free speech in 2015.
Did a dispute over phallus props in a theater production cost an adjunct professor his job?
Complaints about a lesson that included Arabic calligraphy caused an entire school district in Virginia to close down.
"I love that child... she's the one I write for."
After students voiced their objections, the University of Kentucky has covered a historical mural. The school should seize the opportunity to have serious dialogue.
A conservative law firm threatened to sue a Wisconsin school over a reading and discussion of the picture book I Am Jazz. The district canceled the November 23 reading.
As protests rock several campuses, free speech rights seem to be up for debate. But there is no reason that equality and free speech should be considered opposing values.
Former FBI officials successfully remove paintings by Leonard Peltier from a government building in Washington state.
A censorship dispute in Portage, Indiana, was over quickly after it began thanks to the quick action of students.
An ad hoc committee in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, is again targeting a piece of literature for its language. Are they going too far?
On November 3 free speech defenders packed the house at New York's Tribeca 360 for NCAC's annual gala. The event honored acclaimed author Lois Lowry, writer and human rights activist Larry Siems, and the team behind And Tango Makes Three.
From defending challenged library books to promoting campus free speech to identifying nudity double standards on social media, here are a few of the folks we consider Free Speech Heroes in 2015.
On November 3rd, NCAC celebrated another year of free speech advocacy and saluted Lois Lowry, Larry Siems, Justin Richardson, Peter Parnell, and Henry Cole as 2015 Free Speech Defenders. The evening raised funds from generous sponsors, led by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, to support NCAC's mission, and featured performances from Fun Home, a tribute by Alison Bechdel, and inspiring words from each of our honorees. A special [...]
Parents in Omaha are fired up about proposed changes to the sexual education curriculum. Are they trying to keep their kids "pure," or are they calling for censorship?
It seems like more people are showing up to protest at museums and arts institutions. Is that such a bad thing?
Quentin Tarantino has every right to criticize the police, and they have every right to criticize him. But police officers should be mindful of the First Amendment rights of those with whom they disagree.
A book fair won't carry a new Captain Underpants book, because one of the characters is gay.
What's happening in the Garden State? Right after Banned Books Week, we saw two efforts to remove books from public schools.
NCAC joins groups in supporting the PRIDE Act, which would improve record-keeping of police-involved shootings around the country.
A professor who spoke at a Black Lives Matter protest on her campus was promptly suspended. Now students are demanding that she be reinstated.
A New Jersey superintendent made an ad hoc decision to pull Looking for Alaska from classroom libraries, in violation of district policy.
NCAC responds to a newspaper editorial arguing that removing books from a school because they offend one parent is "common sense."
Parents in Georgia are outraged over lessons that teach the history of Islam. And the state is taking the complaints seriously, removing a program guide called "Respecting Beliefs."
NCAC Executive Director Joan Bertin talks about the importance of picture books and how they can attract challenges over their content.
Legendary artists Betty Tompkins and Marilyn Minter got together to talk about censorship, women in the arts and much more.
In the spirit of Banned Books Week, we bring you five stories from the field. A few of them will make shake your head, while the others will have you pumping your fist.
Artists continue to struggle with Facebook's inconsistent policies on human nudity.
One parent wants an award-winning medical history book removed from a school district. The author says she has "confused gynecology with pornography."
Telling students to avoid books containing "wayward beliefs" implies we are incapable of thinking for ourselves. The removal did not give parents the freedom to parent, but instead attacked freedom of thought.
Students at summer art school programs run into some unique censorship problems.
A prominent Northwestern University professor resigns in the wake of a censorship scandal involving a faculty magazine.
Can a trustee be trusted when he has tried to censor in the past? Residents of Downers Grove were asking that questions when the mayor nominated Arthur Jaros, Jr. to the village’s Library Board.
The popular film Straight Outta Compton offers a glimpse at the music censorship battles of that era, when a song's lyrics could warrant a letter from the FBI.
The American Psychological Association released a long-awaited report on video games and violence. But is it really just "junk science?"
The civil rights leader was a free speech champion.
Are Americans really embracing book banning? A new poll seems to say so. But there are some important caveats.