Book Bans and Censorship
“Even young children need to hear about the Holocaust. Even young children need to hear about equality, and equity, and kindness, and not being a bystander, but actively participating in the community and sharing, and being a good person.” – Joel Bangilan
Meet Joel Bangilan, librarian of the Laurie and Milton Boniuk Library at the Holocaust Museum in Houston, Texas. Joel studied English Linguistics and Spanish in college and pursued a career in libraries after falling in love with storytime and feeling welcomed by a community member who called him mijo. He speaks Spanish, French, Italian, and English and has used his skills and experience to work with many children and families before transitioning to the Holocaust Museum Houston.
We discuss the following in this podcast episode:
1:50 – Joel’s journey into librarianship and current role
6:30 – Finding personal connections to the Holocaust as Filipino American
11:12 – Challenges including the spike of anti-Asian hate
15:44 – Examples of non-inclusive standards and practices
22:00 – Literature today in terms of diversity and representation
30:36 – Why the increase of book bans and censorship
37:15 – Book challenges and the process at the Holocaust Museum
41:06 – Advice on how to uphold intellectual freedom in libraries
42:30 – Ways to include children and others affected by book bans to the conversation
46:07 – The need for libraries and librarians
Come listen to Joel Bangilan speak more about his role, the spread of book bans, and the inequities he’s seen in his 25+ years of working in libraries. With the perspective he’s gained, he encourages everyone to think about human rights and the impact of hate and genocide as a global community.