The written word is powerful.
Words bring to light the stories, struggles, achievements, and experiences of characters. Some stories are based on real life, while others are created from a writer’s imagination. However, both types of stories have the ability to powerfully impact the reader. Whether the reader watches a story unfold from a unique perspective or the reader finds solidarity with the story, important moments of empathy and validation occur when reading.
What happens when words are censored or banned? People are kept from hearing stories that would enrich their outlook on life. When a book is banned, the power of words is challenged and those who need to hear the stories in question, must now observe silence, where there was once a story.
At the Writing Center, we believe in hearing diverse voices, unique perspectives, and respecting one another’s story. We believe that when one voice is denied power, we all lose out.
In celebration of Banned Books Week, we are holding our annual writing contest. We invite all Waynesburg University students to submit their own interpretation to the following prompt: In 500 words or less, pretend that your favorite book has been banned. How would you feel? What would you do if you could no longer read or share your most loved book?
Entries are accepted now through October 30 at 11:59 p.m. Entries can be emailed to me at: stefanie.wielkopolan@waynesburg.edu
We encourage you to submit to the contest, visit us in the Writing Center, and to review some articles below about banned books and protests against censorship. Happy Reading! We look forward to reading your work.
American Library Association (Banned Books Week): https://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/bannedbooksweek/ideasandresources/freedownloads
United States Holocaust Museum: https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/book-burning
CNN: https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/27/us/school-library-book-ban-increase-dg/index.html
