Prolific rock-pop singer Pink is standing with PEN America against the nationwide book-banning epidemic but is paying special attention to Florida this week. The ‘What About Us’ artist has several shows scheduled in South Florida, which she has found to be an excellent opportunity to give access to children whose schools have banned certain books about racial and LGBTQ communities.
Always a voice of advocacy for those considered outside the norm, Pink addressed the situation in Florida schools on Instagram on Sunday, 11/12, by stating:
“I’m a voracious reader, and I’m a mom of two kids who are also voracious readers, and I can’t imagine my own parents telling me what my kids can and cannot read, let alone someone else’s parents, let alone someone else that doesn’t even have children that are deciding what my children can read.”
An honorable call to action to all those who wish to parent their children for themselves and allow those children access to well-rounded, diverse literature. Southern Florida tops the list of America’s most banned book locations, with a staggering 40% of the nationwide tally in the area. This comes after the shocking passage of the “Don’t Say Gay” bill Republican Governor DeSantis signed into law almost 18 months ago, which limits DEI in education and the workplace. Placing a premium on discrimination as a freedom within Florida has reduced the number of DEI representations in both books and hiring practices.
Among the 2,000 books Pink plans to hand out to the first 1,000 attendants who wish to pick up a book during her Tuesday and Wednesday shows in Miami and Sunrise, Florida, are Girls Who Code, The Family Book, The Hill We Climb, and Beloved.
“Books have held a special joy for me from the time I was a child, and that’s why I am unwilling to stand by and watch while books are banned by schools.
Pink
More and more celebrities are joining the fight against book banning, utilizing their platforms and fame to bring attention to the discriminatory practice that caters to particular demographics. Hopefully, through their valiant efforts they can drown out the voices of hate and uplift acceptance and inclusion.
For a comprehensive list of books banned in the US in 2023 by PEN America, click here.
Want more information on Book Banning? Click here. Learn how banning books affects the Freedom of the Press here.
View the books mentioned above and more on our Bookshop Banned Books Bookshelf.