P!nk To Distribute 2,000 Copies of Banned Books at Florida Concerts
Pop sensation P!nk is making waves in South Florida by distributing 2,000 free copies of books that have faced bans in some schools at her concerts in Miami this week. The singer has joined forces with PEN America, a literary and free expression advocacy group, to address the controversy surrounding the removal of books in Florida schools.
According to PEN America's data, Florida led the nation in book bans, with over 1,400 cases and 33 school districts involved in the last school year.
The star is taking a bold stand against what she calls "confusing" and "infuriating" censorship, particularly in relation to books addressing themes of sexuality, gender identity, and race. In Florida, authorities claim to restrict inappropriate content without officially banning books. However, PEN America reports that Florida has seen more banned books than any other U.S. state, accounting for over 40% of documented cases.
"I'm a voracious reader, and I'm a mom of two kids who are also voracious readers," P!nk shared during a livestream on Instagram. "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."
P!nk is distributing copies of four books, including Toni Morrison's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel "Beloved," which is reportedly banned in nine Florida school districts. Other titles include Todd Parr's "The Family Book," a picture book that includes images of same sex families, Amanda Gorman's "The Hill We Climb," written for the inauguration of President Joe Biden, and selections from the "Girls Who Code" series by Reshma Saujani.
Florida's Department of Education denies officially banning books, with Governor Ron DeSantis labelling the idea a "hoax." He emphasises the need for an education system "free from sexualization and harmful materials." Recent state laws, including the controversial "Don't Say Gay" bill, have contributed to the removal of books, as school districts aim to adhere to age-appropriate standards.
P!nk's initiative aims to draw attention to the issue and prevent the regression of progress made towards equality. As she prepares to hit the stage in Miami and Sunrise, P!nk remains committed to defending freedom of expression for authors and ensuring that diverse voices are not silenced.
