Read Banned Books

Summary: Atwood’s chilling dystopia imagines Gilead, a theocratic state where women’s bodies are controlled by the government and reduced to their reproductive function. Through Offred’s story, the novel exposes how quickly rights can vanish when ideology and authoritarianism converge.

Why it matters now: Across the U.S., laws restricting reproductive rights, LGBTQ+ freedoms, and access to education echo the themes of Gilead. Atwood has said she didn’t invent Gilead’s cruelties — she drew them from history. The book reminds us that authoritarianism often advances under the banner of morality.

Action Step: Read this book with others. Host a small group discussion or book club and connect its themes to present-day policies.

Consider supporting organizations fighting for reproductive justice, like the Center for Reproductive Rights.

Summary: Orwell’s classic dystopian novel follows Winston Smith, who struggles to resist the all-seeing state of Big Brother. It explores propaganda, surveillance, censorship, and the fragility of truth in a totalitarian regime.

Why it matters now: “Doublethink” and “Newspeak” are no longer just fiction. We live in an era of disinformation, surveillance technology, and attempts to rewrite history in schools and media. 1984 shows how authoritarian systems depend on erasing reality and controlling language.

Action Step: Highlight a quote that resonates with you and share it publicly with the hashtag #ReadBannedBooks. Small acts of truth-telling push back against disinformation.

You can find more banned books at PEN America.

Summary: This groundbreaking work of sociology and memoir confronts the “color line” in American life. Du Bois examines racism, Reconstruction, and the quest for equality, weaving scholarship with deeply personal accounts.

Why it matters now: Banned in parts of the segregated South and challenged for its frankness, Du Bois’s words remain urgent as debates rage over what can be taught about race in schools. Efforts to erase Black history are exactly what Du Bois warned against more than a century ago.

Action Step: Support the ongoing work of Black in Historic Preservation by engaging with their initiatives. You can explore their resources, donate to help fund preservation projects, or use their directory to connect with advocates.

Preserving Black history is one way to resist erasure and push back against authoritarian attacks on education.