Join Mickey Huff, the new Distinguished Director of the Park Center for Independent Media, in conversation with professors, librarians, and activists on combatting book bans and protecting intellectual freedom. Enjoy light refreshments and stay for a Q&A with the panel following the discussion.
Tuesday, September 24, 12:10 – 1:10 p.m.
Clark Lounge in Campus Center, Ithaca College
This past year, the American Library Association documented record levels of book challenges and bans, showing a 65% increase from the previous year. United Against Book Bans noted that “47% of the books targeted for censorship were titles representing the voices and lived experiences of LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC individuals.”
We are living in dire times for free expression and these specific communities in our society are under attack, as are we all if we don’t speak out. The time is now to fight for the right to read and support intellectual freedom. Come celebrate Banned Books Week with the Park Center for Independent Media at Ithaca College!
Panelists
Mickey Huff, Distinguished Director of PCIM; Professor of Journalism at Ithaca College; President of the Media Freedom Foundation; Director of Project Censored; and part of the Banned Books Week Coalition and the National Coalition Against Censorship
Cathy Michael, Librarian of Communications, Philosophy and Religion, and Politics and Legal Studies at Ithaca College
Jennifer Spitzer, Associate Professor of Literatures in English at Ithaca College
Joining via Zoom
Joyce McIntosh, Assistant Program Director of the Freedom to Read Foundation at the American Library Association
Julia Garnett, Youth Honorary Chair of Banned Books Week
Gianmarco Antosca, Youth Free Expression Program Coordinator at the National Coalition Against Censorship
Sponsored by PCIM with co-sponsors Project Censored, Project Look Sharp, Banned Books Week Coalition, and the Ithaca College Department of Journalism.