Marshall University does not ban books! The information is provided to let people know what has been banned/challenged elsewhere.
2018
A defeated bill in Arkansas would have banned books an materials written by Howard Zinn after 1959 in all publicly funded schools’ curriculum and course material. Zinn’s most popular work, A People’s History of the United States, is the only volume to tell America’s history from the point of view of women, workers, minorities, immigrants, and the working class, according to publisher HarperCollins. In response to the bill, the Zinn Education Project sent 700 free copies of The People’s History to librarians and teachers across the state.
2017
Challenged in the Chatham (NJ) High School curricula because it’s a “biased account.” The book presents an alternative view of American history characterized by the influence of an elite minority over the rest of the population. Excerpts from the book, not the book in its entirety, have been assigned reading in U.S. history classes at the high school for at least fifteen years. Superintendent Michael LaSusa said, “It is important to expose kids to multiple perspectives and have them understand that primary sources are the critical ingredient for any historian or any critical consumer of information.”
2009
Challenged in the North Stafford (VA) High School advanced-placement history class even though it’s not the primary textbook because the book is “un-American, leftist propaganda.” students in the advanced placement class also read an article titled “Howard Zinn’s Disappointing History of the United States,” which criticizes Zinn’s book.
On These Pages
A Banned book has been removed from a library, classroom, etc.
A Challenged book has been requested to be removed from a library, classroom, etc.
For additional information contact
Ron Titus, titus@marshall.edu
304-696-6575
Last updated
August 27, 2018