Banning Books and Ideas – An Old American Tradition

Jane Jewell and Jim Block • June 21, 2022


On the heels of speech and language came censorship. Once people spoke, other people objected.

 

Sometimes, of course, the reason for objecting to or restricting speech was valid. For example, every society has laws and traditions against lying; that’s in the Bible — “Thou shalt not bear false witness.”

 

However, things did not stop with reasonable restrictions on speech (such as those against deceivingly yelling “Fire!” in a crowded theater). Soon, there were laws against voicing any opinion that the rulers disagreed with.

 

You could be whipped, jailed, or fined for saying you think the princess isn’t beautiful or that the earth isn’t the center of the universe. And heaven help you if you disagreed with the local religion; for that you could be burned at the stake. 

 

Then, as soon as writing and printing came along, people began objecting to certain written words, especially if they contradicted or offended anyone on the subjects of violence, sex, religion, or politics. And even though freedom of expression — verbal and written — was one of the major reasons people emigrated to America, colonists were quick to censor and ban speech and books.

 

A book might be banned if it questioned established traditions and values or explored new ideas. It was in response to this all-too-human tendency to try to shut the other guy up that the then-shiny new U.S. Constitution in 1791 gained its first amendment, designed to promote and protect freedom of speech, press, and religion.

 

But this freedom must be carefully defended. The demand to ban books for their words, ideas, or values persists.

 

Over the years, many classic, popular, and award-winning books have been challenged, banned, or removed from schools and libraries, including To Kill a Mockingbird, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Of Mice and Men, The Catcher in the Rye, and all the Harry Potter books.

 

(Sometimes, though, banning backfires. Being labeled as “Banned in Boston” became an almost sure-fire way for a book to become a best-seller.)

 

The urge to ban books seems to come in waves. There are calls every year to prohibit particular books, but for the past couple of years, schools have been under much stronger and persistent pressure to remove or not purchase certain titles. Today’s most controversial topics tend to focus on works with race, gender, and LGBTQ+ themes.

 

School boards in Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester counties faced opposition earlier this year to several controversial books, one of them being All Boys Aren’t Blue, a Young Adult book by George M. Johnson. Described as a “memoir-manifesto,” the book recounts the life of the writer growing up as a gay Black man in New Jersey and Virginia.

 

This book was removed from Wicomico County schools but kept in Worcester County and Somerset County schools. Wicomico removed the book after citizens condemned it at a school board meeting. One parent at the meeting played an audio recording of the text that described explicit sexual activity.

 

Mark DeLancey, director of the Salisbury PFLAG group, objected to the decision and said the group would take action. A press release by the PFLAG board raised objections to the challenges to All Boys Aren’t Blue, but did not mention the accounts of sexual activity. The PFLAG press release said those wishing to censor the book “are purposefully taking things out of context to be salacious.”

 

Listening to or reading only the explicit sexual actions in the Johnson book could allow one to believe that what condemned the book was not the LBGTQ+ aspect but the sexual behavior described.

 

On the other hand, according to RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network), “ages 12-34 are the highest risk years for rape and sexual assault.” One may conclude that whatever can help initiate a discussion of sexual behavior and trauma must be made easily available to all.

 

 

Sources and more information at:

The Top 10 Most Frequently Challenged Books, 1999-2021. American Library Association

https://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/frequentlychallengedbooks/top10

 

“2020’s Most Challenged Books,” Nora Krug, Washington Post, April 6, 2022.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/2021-most-challenged-books/2021/04/06/34f89260-96ed-11eb-b28d-bfa7bb5cb2a5_story.html

 

 

Jane Jewell is a writer, editor, photographer, and teacher. She has worked in news, publishing, and as the director of a national writer's group. She lives in Chestertown with her husband Peter Heck, a ginger cat named Riley, and a lot of books.

 

Jim Block taught English at Northfield Mount Hermon, a boarding school in Western Mass. He coached cross-country, and advised the newspaper and the debate society there. He taught at Marlborough College in England and Robert College in Istanbul. He and his wife retired to Chestertown, Md. in 2014.


Common Sense for the Eastern Shore

Ocean City Restaurant Owners Who Backed Trump Now Struggle with Visa Crackdown

By CSES Staff • October 1, 2025
Heavily dependent on international students working under the J-1 visa program, Ocean City’s seasonal restaurants face a new difficulty after federal policy changes under the Trump administration. Each summer, roughly 3,300 J-1 visa holders arrive in Ocean City to help fill more than 12,000 seasonal jobs, according to the Maryland Restaurant Association. Many of these restaurant workers handle everything from cooking to serving customers. The U.S. State Department identifies Ocean City as the nation’s top destination for summer work travel exchange visitors. This year, the program was paused and later reinstated with new restrictions and federal investigations, which disrupted hiring and complicated staffing for the 2025 season. Nearly 60% of Worcester County voters supported Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election. Now, however, restaurant owners who backed Trump are confronted with the consequences of his administration’s visa policies, which threaten the flow of international workers upon which they rely. The disruption has led to worker shortages, operational difficulties, and uncertainty about future seasons. Restaurants that depend on J-1 students to meet demand during peak tourist months are preparing for further complications as federal reviews of visa programs continue. Local economic leaders warn that without these workers, Ocean City’s seasonal businesses could struggle to stay afloat. For restaurant owners and community members who overwhelmingly supported Trump, the new reality has raised questions about the resort town’s current workforce model under tighter immigration policies.

Poverty in MD-01 Will Increase with GOP’s One Big Beautiful Bill

By Jan Plotczyk • October 1, 2025
Poverty in Maryland’s First Congressional District will increase because of the GOP’s budget reconciliation bill— the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” — that was narrowly passed in July. Rep. Andrew P. Harris (R-MD01) voted to pass that wildly unpopular bill and to kick our neighbors off SNAP and Medicaid to give tax cuts to billionaires. That was a cruel choice. More of his constituents will be living in poverty because of the OBBBA’s cuts to programs that support people’s basic needs. Poverty Rates in Maryland’s First Congressional District The official poverty rate for MD-01 has hovered between 8.5% and 9.8% for the last seven years. (Poverty rates for congressional districts were not calculated for 2020 due to the pandemic.) In 2024, 72,800 of our neighbors were living in poverty.

Don’t be Fooled! OBBBA is Not a Tax Cut for Working Families!

By Jan Plotczyk • October 1, 2025
President Trump has recently realized — apparently — that his One Big Beautiful Bill Act is not universally beloved by the American people. Aside from GOP lawmakers, billionaires, and MAGA faithful, the measure has never enjoyed the support of anyone. Polling conducted up to the bill’s passage, and analyzed by G. Elliott Morris , showed that On average across pollsters and methods, 31% of Americans support the One Big Beautiful Bill, while 54% oppose it. That net rating of -23 is, to put it mildly, abysmal… [H]aving a majority against you with just a third in support is terrible! And the bill has not become any more popular since its passage. But instead of fixing the parts of the bill that average people detest — the cuts to social programs for families, the extended tax cuts for billionaires — Trump has decided to just rebrand the bill as something he thinks they’ll love. And having decided that a public relations fix is all that’s needed, the White House has told GOP legislators that the bill shall now be known as the Working Families Tax Cut Bill. What tax cuts for working Americans are in the bill? Tax credits. The bill includes modest increases in the Child Tax Credit and Child and Dependent Care Credit. The standard tax deduction. The bill increases the standard tax deduction for individuals by $750 and for couples by $1,500. The no-tax-on-tips provision. Trump touts this as a true working-class tax cut. But it does not benefit many because only 3% of workers earn tips, and one-third of those earn too little to pay federal taxes. The no-tax-on-overtime-pay provision. This sounds good, but the no-tax applies only to the “half” portion of time-and-a-half pay. If a worker earns $20/hour regular pay and $30/hour overtime pay, the first $20/hour of overtime pay is taxed; only the $10/hour of premium pay is not taxed. It is estimated that for the bottom 40% of workers by income, this will equate to a tax savings of $10/year. Those meager offerings cannot obscure the fact that the bill gives 45% of the tax cuts to the wealthy ; only 1% of the tax cuts go to the lowest fifth of wage earners. To pay for those tax cuts for the wealthy, the bill contains $1.4 trillion in benefits cuts that will affect lower income Americans: many millions will lose health insurance coverage, food assistance, and federal student financial aid. Any small tax benefit that accrues to lower income Americans from the OBBBA is more than offset by benefit losses and Trump’s new tariffs (a defacto sales tax). The Yale Budget Lab found that when one combines the effects of Trump’s tariffs and the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, 90% of American families will end up worse off. Seventy per cent of households will face losses ranging from $780 to $2,570 each year. So, don’t be conned. Recognize Trump’s gaslighting for what it is, a desperate attempt to mislead and deceive the American people. Jan Plotczyk spent 25 years as a survey and education statistician with the federal government, at the Census Bureau and the National Center for Education Statistics. She retired to Rock Hall.

Wicomico County Councilman Josh Hasting launches bid for House of Delegates in District 38B

By CSES Staff • October 1, 2025
Before a crowd at Burnish Brewing Company, Wicomico County Councilman Josh Hastings, a Democrat, launched his campaign for the Maryland House of Delegates in District 38B, setting up what is expected to be one of the most competitive races in the state in 2026. The seat is held by GOP Del. Barry Glassman, who was appointed after former Del. Carl Anderton accepted a position in the Wes Moore administration. Although Glassman begins the campaign with more than $30,000 in campaign funds and will run as the incumbent, the district — with a +7 advantage for Democrats — is considered a top pickup opportunity for House Democrats in Annapolis. Having grown up on Maryland’s first certified organic poultry farm in Mardela Springs, Hastings has built a career at the intersection of agriculture, environmental sustainability, and land use. Before gaining elected office, he spent 15 years in state and local policy and nonprofit leadership positions, including as executive director of Forever Maryland, a statewide nonprofit focused on conserving farms, forests, parks, and critical habitats. Since joining the County Council, Hastings has established himself as a productive legislator, and is credited with: Converting Pirate’s Wharf into a public park. Securing $200 million in county budget commitments for Salisbury firefighters. Advancing a countywide water and sewer master plan. Ensuring consistent above-maintenance-of-effort funding for Wicomico public schools. Championing major upgrades to parks and recreation facilities. He has also worked to: Expand pickleball opportunities at Harmon Field Park. Secure a new middle and high school in Mardela Springs. Address invasive species management. Public safety and quality of life have been recurring themes in his tenure, with Hastings backing investments in first responders and cleaner, healthier communities. Colleagues often note his ability to foster civil, thoughtful debate on complex issues. Hastings is no stranger to Annapolis. Earlier in his career, he served as an aide to Senate Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee Chair Joan Carter Conway, where he wrote and helped to pass legislation reduce concussions in youth sports. On the campaign trail, Hastings emphasizes a platform focused on opportunity, affordability, and quality of life on the Shore. His priorities include: Creating more well-paying jobs that build on the region’s strengths while opening doors in growing industries Strengthening public schools with smaller class sizes and stronger pathways from arts to trades to higher education Tackling the housing shortage with more options for residents of all ages and abilities He also pledges to lower the cost of living by advocating for fair wages and more affordable essentials, such as food, energy, and housing. Hastings emphasizes community health and safety as central to his vision, with a focus on increasing access to health care, broadband, transportation, and recreational spaces. His platform stresses the need to protect the Shore’s clean water and healthy land while supporting farmers and a resource-based economy. At the heart of his message is a call for fairness and opportunity, and a government that works for everyday people rather than the few. His announcement also came with personal news: Hastings and his wife Alyssa are expecting their first child in April. With deep local roots, a track record of legislative success, and a competitive district in play, Hastings’ campaign launch signals that Democrats view District 38B as a pivotal race in the 2026 election cycle.

Gov. Wes Moore and Housing Sec. Jacob Day Celebrate Smith Island’s New High-Speed Internet

By CSES Staff • October 1, 2025
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and Housing and Community Development Sec. Jacob Day were on Smith Island Sept. 24 to mark completion of an infrastructure milestone, the island’s first connection to high-speed internet. Funded by state grants, the $2 million broadband project was completed two months ahead of schedule, and will provide reliable internet access to residents, businesses, and schools on the island, where less than full connectivity has been a long-standing problem. Moore is the first governor to visit Smith Island since 1999, underscoring the administration’s focus on reaching often-overlooked communities. Residents welcomed the infrastructure improvement, noting that high-speed internet can enhance education, healthcare access, small business growth, and overall quality of life. Moore, a Democrat, has made broadband access a central part of his infrastructure agenda, with similar projects underway in other rural parts of the state. For Smith Island, this connection represents a long-awaited lifeline to the wider world, and a signal that Maryland’s leaders are paying attention.

Wicomico Councilman James Winn’s Religious Remarks Spark Controversy at Sept. 16 Meeting

By CSES Staff • October 1, 2025
Wicomico County Councilman James Winn (R-At Large) drew criticism at the Sept. 16 council meeting because of his extended religious rant that included pulling out a Bible and declaring he would “pray for non-Christians” in the wake of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk’s shooting death. During the meeting’s public remarks portion, Winn shifted from county business to a sermon-like address. He held up a Bible, quoted passages, and suggested that residents who do not identify as Christians need his prayers and guidance. Winn tied his comments to the recent death of Kirk, co-founder of Turning Point USA, framing it as a moment for Wicomico residents to recommit to Christian values. Several attendees called the outburst inappropriate for a public governmental meeting, noting that Winn blurred the line between his own religious faith and his role as an elected official. Critics argued the comments excluded non-Christian residents and showed a lack of respect for the county’s religious diversity. The council meeting continued after Winn’s remarks. Still, the episode has drawn sharp reactions on social media, with some residents calling the behavior “embarrassing” and “unbecoming of an elected leader.” Others are defending Winn, saying he was exercising his free speech and sharing a message of faith in a difficult moment. Council leadership did not formally intercede during the meeting. However, community members are suggesting that the county ought to adopt clear standards to prevent religious proselytizing during official sessions. The controversy arises as Wicomico County confronts pressing local issues, including land use debates and the fallout from its immigration enforcement partnership with ICE. For some residents, Winn’s comments were perceived as a distraction from the county's real work of governance.
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