​​Why Are So Many Books Being Banned? - Beyond the Scenes | The Daily Show

[@davidmuzia814]

“Beware the man who would control your access to information for he thinks himself your master.”

[@keithharris1672]

Where is this quote from ? I really like it.

[@davidmuzia814]

@@keithharris1672 I don’t know the origin but I heard it in a video game. Sid Meiers Alpha Centauri game from about 25 years ago. It really does stick in your head doesn’t it? I think it was the “Network Technology” scientific advancement that did it.

[@bbirda1287]

@@davidmuzia814 I actually learned so much from the Alpha Centauri quotes, still my favorite haiku (which a lot of people tell me is not a haiku) We sit together... the mountain and I... until only the mountain remains. -Li Po

[@kimberlychodur3508]

I think it’s really unfair to ban them in public libraries, public libraries belong to everyone not just them.

[@yimcu5169]

be aware of the media continually pushing an idea or an agenda, for example the internet social media, tiktok, are more damaging yet they dont talk about it, wonder why?

[@rhondalight70]

I've seen on a social media post about where a librarian came back to one of these book banners telling them to read the book they want banned and do a report on its content as to why it should be banned. Surprise! No takers.

[@princesstriceestar]

Now you know that would require them to think critically. Humans in general hate change

[@MicahthePoet]

Caught Mx. Johnson at a cookout and told them we at the DC Public Library support them 110% and display their book proudly in all of our libraries. All Boys Aren't Blue is an amazing story and we need more folks doing the work to help the Public evolve. Love to you and all the work you do! ❤️

[@ejaewilliams6208]

I’m thinking that if there was a book like this out when I was growing up how different my life could’ve been. Instead I only had minimal examples that only showed me that I didn’t exist 😢

[@michaelmcnamara1839]

It's not about the books so much as it's that these groups want certain groups of people to not exist.

[@lilbit5557]

I believe it's more of a political plot to get votes more than it is that small group. The more political leaders speak out, the bigger that small group grows.

[@daveburklund2295]

Really, that's why book banning and book burnings are so dangerous. Hard to eradicate ideas without eradicate the people who have them.

[@X2LR8]

No. Parents are standing up and saying "You will not teach our kids to be hateful. You will not push your radical beliefs on our kids".

[@daveburklund2295]

@@X2LR8 yeah, by being hateful and pushing radical anti-constitutional remedies on the community at large.

[@baller0724]

@@X2LR8 how is an autobiography of Ruby Bridges and her experience trying to just go to school as a 9yr old girl teaching kids to hateful??

[@garhull11]

It's incredible that those who are known to criticise anything that sound like communism and soviet life are so happily implementing the same rules from such regimes

[@kevinduperret1910]

O[ooooo[ooo[ooo[ooo[oooooo[o[ooooo[oooooooooooooooooo[oooooooo[oooooooooooooooooooooo

[@X2LR8]

It's funny. Some people want free reign to indoctrinate kids. When parents stand up and say "No", they freak out and get all up in a tizzy.

[@vinsanity40k]

this censoring of books is the real "cancel culture"

[@rsr789]

I always find it hilarious (and ridiculous) that the people who scream about Karl Marx the loudest have never read any of his books, nor do they know anything about his life.

[@morpheuslaughing]

EXACTLY. Straight out of the Vladislav Surkov playbook

[@erincarr9411]

There are a lot of messed up things happening in this country, but this might be one of the scariest.

[@af2876]

The scariest is the monopoly and totalism. The media, the overthrow of information. What is ? What isnt ?

[@chevy3342]

If someone tells me not to read a book, it's the book I read next.

[@kiswahilikitukuzwe2547]

@@jp13119 I think this is human nature, not just the American way. It's like the "forbidden fruit" is perceived to be the sweetest.

[@malissahyatt2425]

If my child brought home a list of those books...we'd go to the store and load up on snacks and drinks...then hit every bookstore, library, kindle, half price bookstore until we had every title on that list and spend a holiday week reading forbidden literature.

[@islanderbyrd1881]

You GO MOM! YES!

[@malissahyatt2425]

@@islanderbyrd1881 . I'm not a mom. It's hypothetical. But thank you!!!! ☺

[@kenj3229]

My "cousin" George. We loosely grew up together and am very proud to see the amazing growth. Keep standing and projecting your knowledge and strength into this world. It needs more ppl like you. Small minded ppl will never succeed, by the natural of they're restricted outlook of life.

[@maureensurdez7841]

Roy is not only funny, he isfricken BRILLIANT as a commentator/interviewer😊

[@christinekidd6517]

Thank you for your quiet activism, Roy. I learn a lot from your show and especially appreciate how you always end with what we, the viewers, can do to help. Please keep up the great work!

[@katme8055]

If people are made ignorant they are easily controlled

[@AJ-sr3hl]

🎯

[@m.c.373]

reading “All Boys Aren’t Blue” was eye opening for me in so many ways. we need more stories like this to be told or else the narrative will be taken away by those who know nothing about us.

[@J.Soffer]

Them: "Books aren't banned, you can order them on Amazon" My Mom: "Bet. Every paycheck I'm gonna order a few until I have every book on that list"

[@tiffeetaffyyahoo9530]

Read fast.The way things are going they maybe at our doors to search our personal libraries for banned books. We're does the control and madness stop?

[@rainmanjr2007]

But they won't be in Libraries for folks who can't afford Amazon.

[@pennydavis9494]

I live in a conservative state. After the books were banned someone put some on the give-away table in my apartment complex. I always wanted to read Ann Frank. But couldn't afford to buy it. Wa la Ann Frank was on that table. Thank you my nerrow minded republican neighbor

[@efowlermail]

How do they not recognize that they are insulting their child's critical thinking skills.

[@amyellen3845]

They wouldn't be calling for a ban if they were only worried about controlling their own kids.

[@hauntedshadowslegacy2826]

@@amyellen3845 Bingo. It's not just their own children- they wanna control all children.

[@bbirda1287]

Critical thinking is the enemy of a lot of institutions because their materials don't stand up to it, hence Galileo. The celestial sphere wasn't even in the Bible, it was Aristotle, who was not Christian.

[@tinaperez7393]

They don't know or appreciate the concept of critical thinking skills. They don't even know what that is, much less have those themselves.

[@maureenlaneski2802]

I think that the point is to stunt their intellectual growth.

[@tinaperez7393]

Great show! THANK YOU for covering this and having these two guests on - the perfect guests to have on in these times. Shows just how much free, public libraries and the right to read will always be needed.

[@berenicemarchese1593]

no one should be able to ban any book. if you don't want to read it, don't read it. if you don't want your child to read it, tell the school and the library you use not to lend it to them. better yet, check it out and read with your child so they aren't tempted to go behind your back. that way you can actually explain confusing or upsetting parts and start a conversation with your child about these issues. they gives you a chance to share your opinions and values, and to help your child learn to navigate complex and controversial issues.

[@marialandrum5477]

Thank you for covering this topic and getting ALA involved! I’m a former librarian and I’m happy to see this issue getting some attention.

[@daveburklund2295]

If your kid can't handle new or different ideas, sounds like a you problem you turned into your kid's problem.

[@tracychristenson177]

It's probably not the kid who can't handle the new or different ideas. It's probably the parents themselves who are scared and are projecting that onto their kids.

[@yimcu5169]

everything is age appropriate, is not banning if is not age appropriate,

[@daveburklund2295]

@@yimcu5169 If you say a public library can't have a book, yes, you are banning. That is the definition of banning a book.

[@ianhomerpura8937]

​@@yimcu5169 public libraries are for everyone. Banning specific books because it doesn't suit your agenda is a violation of the First Amendment.

[@Anuchan]

I find children are much more tolerant than adults are. This provides hope for the future.

[@embreis2257]

sure, but adults a very busy poisoning the minds of children from very early on. gender-confirmity, heteronormativity. the boxing in starts almost immediately

[@kenj3229]

Unfortunately many children are subjected to the intolerance and ignorance that their parents project on to them. No person is born with prejudice, it's always taught to them.

[@lmansur1000]

By the way, this conversation is so educational to me...I was born and raised in a country where we never had rights and I never questioned that. When I immigrated to the USA, slowly, I was introduced to the idea of having rights but learning it in depth takes a long time, when we are programmed to be naive. I am learning a lot here. Thank you!

[@spiderthesecond]

Watched this with my 80 year old grandfather. He has a new book on his reading list. "That's what I do I read banned books"

[@kaspinet]

I have no problem if you don't want your child reading certain titles. Your child is your child. But my child isn't your child.

[@marialindell9874]

Yees! I swear if they heard about me not wanting a child to read the Bible, their pants would mysteriously be lit on fire. Unfortunately they can't have control forever and hopefully the kids will read these books when they get older and gain their life back.

[@lmzaadi]

Banned Books are more intriguing to young readers anyway.

[@sergiokaminotanjo]

that would be if youngsters in the US would actually be interested in reading books in first place

[@allisonr715]

In a way, yes, but removing the books from libraries (school or public) creates a socioeconomic barrier for groups who are more likely to have lower incomes or experience homelessness (BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, etc) to be able to access books that reflect their lives and experiences.

[@pokemonfanthings4444]

Agreed. While idk what data says about how banning books impacts sales, I can say anecdotally that I probably wouldn’t have heard of this book if not for this podcast. Now I’m gonna download an audio version if possible and if I can’t, at least add it to my list of physical books to buy.

[@pokemonfanthings4444]

@@allisonr715 I think you are probably right. Unfortunately, whenever privileged people mess up, it’s the underprivileged people who have to deal with the brunt of it

[@JestersPrivilege18]

I wasn’t even aware of this before some schools banned American girl doll books. NO ONE messes with my girls Addy, Rebecca, and Kirsten😤

[@CLYMA1.5CHAINZ]

Do people who ban books even read?

[@gusmonster59]

I doubt it.

[@karlene1970]

Roy Wood, This is one of your best coverage ever. I never thought of reading Toni Morrison's, Beloved as a horror, but, I think I can see that now.

[@paradrake2245]

Yes! My memory of it is dark- I can read it again to figure this out!

[@peglamphier4745]

I teach a horror class in a CA University and we read Beloved week 5 and 6 of the semester. It's brilliant!

[@amyellen3845]

Willful ignorance is harmful enough without imposed ignorance.

[@chefcc90]

Wait wait wait. The argument is this book isn't appropriate for my kid to read because I say so. Therefore I will make it so no one else can read it. Yeah, party of small government for sure

[@JRVan-ez4yi]

Having grown up with a parent who highly discouraged me from reading books I liked, I just found ways around them to read them. Which is why all my kids were informed when they hit their teens that I might not buy them a book I don't like, but they are old enough to make their own decisions so I won't try and stop them from reading anything they like.

[@Optimismus53]

i did the same thing with my kids.

[@jimbecarroll5780]

Who informed them of that banal announcement ?

[@susanrhodes7960]

I love me some Roy Wood Jr.! Always spot on!

[@Leah_Newton]

Banned Book Week? More like Protect Your First Amendment Week!

[@liveandletdie7187]

Whats sad is books are banned yet movies are remade with garbage..

[@ddavis4730]

At 13 I read The Howling, it was on a book stand at a rec on a military base. It probably wasn’t the most appropriate but it introduced me to the world of reading.

[@mlggamer5296]

How ironic that this is the topic that's being looked at now the timing couldn't be any more perfect when the same guy who started doing this thing has now been guilty of moving a bunch of immigrants to Martha's vineyard. Surely that's not a coincidence

[@corinnehernandez4549]

Great episode! Thank you for the intelligent conversation.

[@sheba19]

This show started out excellent and just gets better and better, Bravo 🙌🏾❗

[@allgotterer]

Another fantastic topic! Thanks to all of you.

[@JP-lu9ed]

Great segment! Would love to see these two on some network talk shows. More people need to hear this and the particulars they are talking about!

[@arielle2745]

💖💓💗Thanks for this great interview, Roy. Timely and urgently important!

[@leirekorsmo7069]

All of it is ridiculous, but saying that a book is inappropriate for your offspring who is literally an adult college student, and then taking legal action because of that, is beyond bonkers. It's so gross how many people think they own their kids and feel entitled to limit the rights of others.

[@loveygiorlyates]

The fact that these parents are for banning books but will buy their kids games like GTA and other games that have major violence in them.

[@megzasaurusrex]

It boggles my mind when they say "this is too much for my kid to read." But never "wow that person should have never been through that."

[@5pctLowBattery]

Sorry his parents failed him, but graphic -ornography in a school library, especially in an elementary school, does shock me. Shock and anger, and disgust. It takes an evil mind to think children should be exposed to such a book.

[@megzasaurusrex]

@@5pctLowBattery you've read it? Can you share the passages with me?

[@papercraftcynder5430]

They can teach books with violently gory descriptions of war in high school without telling students that the books contain graphic descriptions in advance but the books conservatives are upset about are the ones about children in school and animals... (For clarity, I got jumped by a graphic scene in an assigned book and while I quickly figured out how to approach the book from that moment on, I'm still bitter about not being warned about it in the first place)

[@tinaperez7393]

Yup.

[@TomSuntotheMax]

When I was in school if a book was banned that just made me go out of my way to find it.

[@story3877]

"didn't know to check the library's catalog to see if the book was there." Madame, i would put money on them having very little experience with either the dewy decimal system OR the more modern computer catalog systems of ANY library. But that's just a hunch.

[@davidlist7507]

The U. S.A. is the worst place I would want to live and glad I moved from it 22 years ago to a sane place called Thailand before all the wars and Sept, 11th, yuck.

[@lewisjohnson8297]

Ruby Bridges, MLK and the Pettus Bridge were happening when I was K-12! Can't be closer to it, without being in it! Saw it on the news, on television.

[@loantran-thanh7795]

It reminds me of Pakistan and Tajikistan. Books were considered sins, so they suppressed them and they suppressed libraries and bookstores. I remember one Pakistani person telling me that if you educate girls, they might have bad ideas and might rebel. In other words : maintain ignorance if you want to control the mass

[@tinaperez7393]

"bad ideas" for who? That's so sick. Women who are treated like slaves, once they get educated, sure can get uppity. They might not like being used for their body parts, wombs, and domestic slavery anymore.

[@Optimismus53]

do you know what the sad truth is? the koran expressly demands that men AND woman should strive for knowledge and education. what these fools practise is tradition.

[@jimbecarroll5780]

yeah and religion is the tool to do that.

[@mlggamer5296]

They filed a criminal complaint against him and the book? Do you see what I mean now it's going to come to a point where you can't even say what you have to say without people trying to censor

[@dhaktizero4406]

new rule: before any parent can complain about a book they must prove that reading a book as a youth ruined their life. no experience = unqualified opinion

[@tracychristenson177]

I think that any meeting about banning a book should include a full, public reading of that book out loud to all assembled to give it an accurate representation.

[@charlenef7138]

the whole point of parenting is to walk side by side hand in hand with your youngster to teach them, to guide them in your way(s) even if you're a close-minded isolationist but the child is to be socialized to become a well-balanced free thinker aware and tolerant of some of the many persons and topics also a part of living styles or decisions on the planet.

[@lindabb7064]

The only positive side is that those kids witnessing this oppression will vote one day. This is what happened in 1969: young people protesting over oppression. So, in10 years from now, we will see a huge reaction.

[@charlenef7138]

this IS SO TRUE civics and societal teachings to be mindful of others is not taught or generally accepted anymore. Books ARE the bridge to understanding or even enlightenment. these rules are hindering and stifling of progress in well lived life. I'm an older lady & I like it when I'm in the company of people smarter than me. they are smarter cause They're well-read tolerant, and open minded wanting to engage in verbal discourse with me a person with similarities and differences to or from them.

[@jeanetjensen6474]

No no no, please dont remove books, lets celebrate free spech and freedom all around the world 🌍🌎❤️🙏❣️ help the healing and lets push fear aside

[@MusicfromMarrs]

George, on behalf of thinking folk in Iowa, I apologize for Kim Reynolds. Iowa: vote for Diedre DeJear !!

[@22221mm]

Another excellent discussion! Roy Wood Jr. hats off to you.

[@justjack3075]

People don't even read books anymore but someone is banning them 😂

[@adeolareid1536]

Time to find the banned list and have a new TBR 🧐 where's that list.

[@jeffreycomer1365]

Great conversation… thank you all!

[@patricksteffan9015]

Easy solution to this problem. Everyone who wants to get a book banned needs to prove that they read it first.

[@SpaghettiWithMeatSauce]

Texas isn't called Y'all Qaeda for nothing.

[@jacobcox1927]

"Recovering attorney" 🤣🤣🤣 best line ever

[@pokemonfanthings4444]

Can’t wait to listen to this on audible. Downloaded it in five seconds. Technology is wild

[@joshuaaguda7349]

Now i want to read the book

[@mlggamer5296]

Now she just basically said what I was about to say that it goes against the First amendment. And I have been worried about how this will affect future media all together because right now it's just books within the next few years you're going to start hearing movies are being banned or TV shows so I think this thing needs to be sorted out from now before it gets out of hand

[@SuperLeica1]

The great irony for evangelicals and other WSs, is that the most important part of most books is BLACK! The "ink", that is! Their favourite book would simply have no text at all!

[@pennydavis9494]

Wait I joined the pentcostial church and I don't like banning books. I'm a libral. Just because you have spiritual leaning doesn't meayour a wack job.n

[@bleu999]

Now I want the book cause this made it more popular

[@rhondabarlow860]

I learned much. I'm buying his book to see what all the fuss is about.

[@claudiabrown9488]

Librarianship has been devalued in order to push encapsulated information and misinformation through internet access. At least trained professionals are the real gatekeepers to disseminate fair,impartial,selected materials which allows the public to make personal choices. Public library collections should not be politicized. The increase in illiteracy has been manifested over several decades. It's not illegal to think or read,right? Books are foundational for the continuation of educating oneself,is the

[@therealzilch]

As a child of the fifties in California, and then a hippie science nerd of the sixties, I somehow thought this racism and LGBTQ bigotry stuff would fade away soon. I was too optimistic. Great reporting. Thanks.

[@bbirda1287]

What a heavy episode, man you guys need an Emmy. Is it eligible? John Oliver, Daily Show is coming for you!

[@jayare6804]

This is utterly terrifying. We need to resist these conservative fanatics.

[@mlggamer5296]

Wow speaking out about the issue equals intimidation and harassment.......... What more do I have to say here this speaks volumes on its own I don't have to say anymore

[@fredmunddavies6461]

welp, definitely gotta read this book!

[@ehl3rs_on_the_track]

Man American got some weird shi going on

[@charlenef7138]

the powers that be don't want a new generation of free thinkers or levelheaded citizens. tolerance is not being taught or accepted by these close-minded persons.

[@maggiefranks6849]

A Hero ain't nothing but a sandwich was one of those books for me as a ya

[@MajICReiki]

I love this show! 💖 Beyond The Scenes 💖 👏👏👏👏

[@eleventy-seven]

The USA is through. I'm not just a talker but tried to get a permanent resident visa in Canada to retire. Not possible unless you're family or have millions invested even if you have plenty of cash. Glad I'm in my 60s. If you have kids send them to school overseas or in Canada so they can have a future. Even Canadian conservatives would be centrist here.

[@ParahSalin]

I got a skilled healthcare worker visa and lived there for 4 years. They have their crazies, racists, and other problems too, but nothing near like the 🇺🇸.

[@DedicatedSlaya]

It's basically a version of 'Book Burning' from back in the day but, without the actual fire. 🙄🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲

[@X2LR8]

It's basically standing up against radical indoctrination.

[@erinmac4750]

Roy, you're an amazing interviewer, asking not only the questions you knew we had, but the ones we didn't know we wanted answered. You're all right about the banned book list. It's not going to stop the books, and many will use it as a checklist. These ultra conservatives don't learn and if ore history as well. Loved your guests! You rock this format. Can't wait for you to interview Zelensky! ✌️😎🍀

[@CraniumOnEmpty]

Here's one thing, they actually read those verses in public. In a room of people. Often recorded so that everyone on the internet could see it... THE worst parts of the books... It obviously wasn't that bad if they could read and reair it so publicly.

[@CC-mt7el]

Recommending books and banning books are two different things. I thought banning books could only happen in communist ruled countries.

[@ParahSalin]

Trump was president for 4 years and destroyed democracy in 2020. After Jan 6, Where do you think you live?

[@katielewis6128]

Lol! Roy apologizing for cussin 😂😂😂😂

[@ayzeeB]

In addition to talking about books, could more importantly focus on how TikTok and Instagram bring harm to society???

[@spacejunky4380]

Nuts they will ban all e-books for a romance novel. I can't tell you how many people I have met who read those books. My mom does. My gma did. I had a some point. This is nuts.

[@lrs7777]

This high school lit teacher knows that if you want to popularize a novel then ban it.

[@coreyoliver3653]

“… All adjudicated, at the state & local level, by officials that are appointed by people in elections that we deem unnecessary and unimportant.” In view of your intent, your cynicism is understood. Still; no lobbyist ( at, any, level ) should, directly or indirectly, suggest that millions of ( mostly ) lay people vote - without the caveat of urging the, most rigorous, study of the candidates and / or issues of the day. Blind voting can be, even, more damaging - than not voting at all.

[@pokemonfanthings4444]

If people see this comment, I would be very appreciative if people respectfully respond with there own perspective, especially if they disagree. Just say why you disagree so I can learn from it: I think even radical right-wing books should not be banned. I do think that discussions are necessary. A “liberal” parent can look at what their child is reading too. Teachers I think have a responsibility to provide fair context. We need to talk about topics we don’t want to sometimes in order to progress as a society. I think more info is better than less. If a book has misinformation, a conversation can be had outside the pages. At least now you know what the other side is saying

[@mlggamer5296]

I kind of agree but it's one thing for them to not ban those books but then ban other people's books it's a different story altogether. If you're saying that everybody should be able to have their books in their library whether right wing left wing lgbtq+, black people Latino people whatever it is they'll get to have their books in the library without any of them getting banned so that everyone is informed across the board then yes I agree with you but if it's just one set of people's things are being banned and another set is not being banned it's prejudicial

[@pokemonfanthings4444]

@@mlggamer5296 I agree Edit: and thank you for responding

[@Dog_gone_it]

Wow, congrats 👏 comedy central is finally getting with the times.

[@soberslogans9364]

I’m a new author and Recovery Advocate in GA. I’m a small fish but do support my LGBTQIA family, which many are also Persons in Recovery…. I have a community of over 250K on FB and I do “LIVE” podcasts. Would love to connect to interview anyone who has suffered stigma in any of those areas. Be Great Family!

[@mlggamer5296]

Another thing with these books being banned it really adds to the sincere lack of knowledge and quality when it comes to America's education system. That's why you have so many homophobic transphobic and racist people out there because it's some of these parents who are promoting that by saying "ban all those books" if anything banning the books just proliferates racism and all other forms of prejudice

[@marlenesteele2784]

Don’t fret the beautiful thing about this is it will make kids do research & sneak & read in spite of. I would want to know why I can’t read a particular book . Make it my life mission to ascertain it just because!!!,!,

[@GingerMcNulty]

I wonder how many dreamers are writing books right now, hoping they will be banned.

[@mlggamer5296]

Exactly like they're criticizing the books and banning them without actually reading them and seeing what it's about. I can understand if they ban them with some knowledge of what it is but that's not the case

[@ParahSalin]

These are people who believe JFK and his son are still alive? Reading is not one of their qualities.

[@mlggamer5296]

@@ParahSalin exactly they rely on conspiracy theories they're not the most educated

[@cannibalbananas]

It's not just the banning of books they are promoting - they are banning ideas & thinking for yourself. You can't think critically if you don't know all the facts of a subject, or that there are people who view the world differently than you.

[@nicolaablett7790]

THANK YOU for the extra's censorship is cnesorship KNOWLEDGE IS POWER USA is fortunate to ahve this advocate in place Deborah Caldwell-Stone, Director of the American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom

[@Abigail-ns2fk]

I'm proud of George

[@judithhoward101]

My vet local library is full of police or prosecution books 📕 Rare to find story other than that in large print Especially