In talking about a few books that have been banned in schools, award-winning author Carmen Maria Machado told the student newspaper at City High in Iowa City, Iowa, “As somebody who spent my young teenage years not really understanding who I was, it breaks my heart to think that some random politician who’s trying to further this bigger political agenda is going to interfere with young peoples’ abilities to access art.”
(Kennedy Library via Flickr Creative Commons)According to an “About the Author” page on Amazon.com, Machado’s debut short story collection, Her Body and Other Parties, “was a finalist for the National Book Award and the winner of the Bard Fiction Prize, the Lambda Literary Award for Lesbian Fiction, the Brooklyn Public Library Literature Prize, the Shirley Jackson Award, and the National Book Critics Circle’s John Leonard Prize. In 2018, The New York Times listed Her Body and Other Parties as a member of ‘The New Vanguard,’ one of ’15 remarkable books by women that are shaping the way we read and write fiction in the 21st century.'”
In exploring the subject of book bans with the author, student reporter Tai Caputo highlights the author’s opinions on a range of topics in modern literature:
The author describes personal experiences with book bans, including the challenges they faced in their wake, particularly how In the Dream House became a target due to homophobia and sex negativity. The author shares instances, like a school board meeting in Texas, where their work was misrepresented and attacked.
The author emphasizes how book bans, especially on queer content, harm young people by limiting their ability to explore and understand their identities. They express sadness for queer students in conservative areas who may feel isolated due to the censorship of materials that reflect their experiences.
The interview also delves into the inherently political nature of art, with the author arguing that all artistic expression, even if considered “apolitical,” is shaped by political contexts. They assert that book bans are part of a larger cultural and political agenda that suppresses diverse voices, especially queer and trans voices.
However, the author also points out the irony of banning books in schools while ignoring the accessibility of explicit content online. They suggest banning art is easier for lawmakers because it offers a tangible way to push their agenda, even though it does little to protect young people.
Ultimately, the author reflects on the emotional burden of being censored but resolves to continue creating the art they believe in despite the backlash. They highlight the importance of protecting young people’s access to art, regardless of political interference.
