‘No More Banned Books’ – Pink Teams Up With PEN America For A Giveaway
Global pop icon Pink has teamed up with PEN America and Florida bookseller Books & Books to give away 2,000 banned books at her upcoming concerts in the state.
She announced the move in an Instagram live Sunday with Suzanne Nossel, the Chief Executive Officer of PEN America, and Amanda Gorman, a poet, activist and author.
Through the giveaway, the singer-songwriter wants to highlight the concerning spike in book bans across the United States, according to a news release.
33% Spike In Book Bans, Florida Ranks First
PEN America has been at the forefront of documenting and defending against the unprecedented spike in school book bans in Florida and across the nation.
“Florida overtook Texas during the last school year with more books banned in public school classrooms and libraries than any other state in the union,” according to the organisation.
Amid a staggering 33% rise in book bans nationality, the state currently accounts for 40% of all documented bans, ranking first in the country.
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Race, Racism, LGBTQ Identities In Focus
Florida’s speech-constricting laws and policies have taken the centrestage in the fight against book bans, with PEN America playing a key role in protecting exemplary literary works.
Books about race, racism and LGBTQ identities, in addition to Black and LGBTQ authors, have been disproportionately affected in the unprecedented book bans nationwide.
“Rampant censorship is depriving kids of the chance to see themselves in books,” according to Kasey Meehan, director of PEN America’s Freedom to Read Programme.
Pink: Notable Supporter Of Various Charities
Pink plans to give away “The Family Book” by Todd Parr, “The Hill We Climb” by Gorman, “Beloved” by Toni Morrison and a book from “Girls Who Code”, founded by Reshma Saujani.
The singer-songwriter is a huge supporter of various charities, including No Kid Hungry, Autism Speaks, Make-a-Wish Foundation and Planned Parenthood.
She is the recipient of three Grammy Awards (21 nominations) and has sold out arenas and stadiums all over the world. In 2019, she received her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
