Poster and Report by Sam Dalsimer '26

In response to book challenges and bans like the one on Maus, public libraries like Brooklyn Public Library began initiatives to provide online access to banned and challenged books to teenagers through the initiative Books Unbanned.

The Tennessee school district's recent ban of Art Spiegelman's Pulitzer Prizewinning graphic novel "Maus" has sparked widespread controversy, drawing attention to issues of censorship and academic freedom. Spiegelman himself has publicly criticized the decision, labeling it "absurd" in several media interviews. The ban, initiated by the McMinn County School Board, was purportedly due to concerns about "rough" language and a nude drawing within the book. The McMinn school board released this statement following the ban “We do not diminish the value of Maus as an impactful and meaningful piece of literature, nor do we dispute the importance of teaching our children the historical and moral lessons and realities of the Holocaust. To the contrary, we have asked our administrators to find other works that accomplish the same educational goals in a more age-appropriate fashion.” (Collins) However, Spiegelman and many others argue that the novel's depiction of the Holocaust and its educational value far outweigh any objections over language or imagery. Spiegelman has expressed his disbelief at the focus on "bad words" within the book, emphasizing its broader significance in educating students about historical atrocities. Spiegelman states “I wasn’t really trying to do anything other than share…. I didn’t want to dumb it down. It would have been impossible to do this only as a historical text extracting myself from it. The story is what makes it compelling to readers.” (Collins) He has also said the myopic response of the school board, highlighting the importance of "Maus" as a catalyst for discussions about genocide and oppression. Many teachers were frustrated with the banning of the book and feared it would compromise how their curriculum would be taught. One teacher, Jason Lerner at Austin Mehan Middle School in Philadelphia, spoke about the situation “It’s just eerily mirroring the book burnings that took place in Nazi Germany in the 1930s…. It invokes thoughts of how it was in the 1930s with fascism: ‘You can’t read this. You can’t say this. You can’t do this. And you have to do what we do.’ And it’s all in step and right in line with what then was Nazi Germany to me.” (Rogelberg) The book's removal from school curriculum has raised broader questions about censorship and the politicization of education, particularly in light of polarizing debates over topics such as critical race theory. Despite the controversy, organizations like the U.S. Holocaust Museum have underscored the importance of teaching the history explored in "Maus," emphasizing its role in inspiring critical thinking and reflection on contemporary issues. The ban on "Maus" represents a larger struggle over intellectual freedom and the preservation of diverse perspectives in education, prompting calls for greater dialogue and vigilance against censorship in schools.

Sources:

Collins, Cathy. “Art Spiegelman Speaks about Maus and Its Place in Schools and Libraries.” Intellectual Freedom Blog, 25 May 2022.

Morehart, Phil. “The Mind behind Maus Speaks Out.” I Love Libraries, 9 June 2022.

Rogelberg, Sasha. “Educators Argue That ‘Maus’ Still ‘Impactful’ in the Classroom.” Jewish Exponent, 16 Feb. 2022.