Book bans in America are rising. Here's a look at what's lost.

In 2021, over 1,500 books were challenged or banned in the United States, with the majority being written by or about LGBTQIA or Black individuals.

Book banning in the US is not a new phenomenon and has historically targeted books depicting slavery, segregation, and racism.

"To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel widely regarded as an essential work, has been consistently challenged over the years.

Politicians use book bans to rally against social changes and diversity, tapping into people's frustrations and anxieties.
Censoring books with diverse characters deprives readers of representation and the opportunity to learn about different backgrounds, limiting empathy and understanding.