Destroyed Banned Books Club display raises community controversy

Taylor Van Dijk | Editor-in-Chief

October 1, 2024

September 22-28th marked this year’s national Banned Books Week, which San Clemente celebrated via the banned books display at the local library. The display featured an array of banned titles with descriptions of why they were banned such as I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings for “portrayal of mature themes” and The Perks of Being a Wallflower for “LGBTQIA+ and drug content.” Amidst a time of polarizing political strife within San Clemente, a local woman decided to check out every book off of the display shelf in an attempt to get it out of the public eye. This led to the revival on the debate of banned books and their role in education and the community, gaining traction amongst students, local media, and school board officials.

In the midst of this politically-charged local spectacle, one is left to wonder: who is the visionary behind the Banned Books Club at San Clemente High School and why are we seeing so much community backlash from a student-led demonstration?

The mission began two years ago when SCHS students formed the Banned Books Club. Originally intended as a counterculture movement against the trend of school districts attempting to place books on “banned lists” for promoting material that individuals deem “offensive” or “obscene,” the Banned Books Club meets monthly to read and discuss this reading material that many work hard to cover up.

Triton senior Grace Pratt, founder and president of the club, stated “I wanted the club on campus to make diverse characters and perspectives available to everyone. It’s really important to me and many other students that these perspectives are celebrated and not held back from the public.” 

While fostering a positive learning environment and message of inclusivity, the amount of backlash it has received within the community is shocking. Pratt spent hours researching, finding, and putting up a broad array of banned novels; work that was completely undone in one afternoon. “This was our second year of the Banned Books Club display at the library and there were no issues last year. This year, however, people were coming in, complaining, saying it was inappropriate for kids and that the librarians are ‘groomers.’ One woman came in and took all of the featured books from the display,” Pratt shared.

Though providing a setback, the display did not end with one woman’s attempt to take it down. Pratt went back to the library later that day to put the display back up for the remainder of the week.

Her actions were acknowledged by Capistrano Unified School District Board Candidate, Dr. Sherine Smith who demonstrated support through a visitation of the display at the library. “I reached out to Sherine Smith specifically because she’s running against Lisa Davis, whose platform promotes book banning in schools,” Pratt stated, “I wanted to have an anti-book banning candidate use their platform to promote the display and the goals of the club.”

Senior Payton Blake, Vice President of the club, regarded the event as “taken to a far extent, especially with the disrespect shown to the public workers at the library.” According to Blake, it is important to be wary of banning books because “banning something does not make it go away. Everybody deserves to read and acknowledge pieces of truth and history. These perspectives are needed for history to progress and morph” she stated, “People are trying to censor topics like homosexuality as an excuse to not educate themselves, which can lead to misinformation and direct harm to impacted communities.”

Both Pratt and Blake have worked passionately and diligently to appreciate the history of literature from all perspectives, an action that does not go unnoticed. Though there have been unprecedented setbacks, students should never be afraid to use their voices and stand up for what they believe in.