It only took one parent’s complaint for “The Hill We Climb” by Amanda Gorman to be removed from the elementary section of the library in a K-8 school in Miami Lakes, Florida. Yes, “The Hill We Climb”, the poem written and recited by Amanda Gorman, the youngest inaugural poet in U.S. history, at President Joe Biden’s inauguration in 2021. However, the parent erroneously named Oprah Winfrey as the author. Along with the author’s name being incorrect, there were sections on the complaint form that were blank.

Many people think “The Hill We Climb” is a poem about hope and unity, but this parent had a slightly different take. When asked, “Why do you object to this material?”, the Miami Lakes parent wrote that the book wasn’t educational and contained indirect hate messages. The parent believed the purpose of the poem was to “cause confusion” and “indoctrinate students.” It’s nice to see they are sticking to their script.

To clear up any confusion, the book was not completely banned, as it is still available to middle school students. However, this still restricts access for elementary students. It is disheartening to see that one complaint has the power to remove a book, no questions asked. In a statement Gorman posted on Instagram, she wrote, “let’s be clear: most of the forbidden works are by authors who have struggled for generations to get on bookshelves. The majority of these censored works are by queer and non-white voices.” This is reflected in the themes commonly seen among banned books, with many containing more than one subject. PEN America, a nonprofit dedicated to defending free expression in literature, found that the majority of banned books address LGBTQ+ themes (41 percent), have protagonists or prominent characters of color (40 percent), or address racism (21 percent). Representation, or a lack thereof, has powerful influence, especially for young people, because it gives readers inspiration and fosters confidence. Banning books that feature marginalized groups will continue to be an act of blatant homophobia, transphobia, racism, and discrimination.

In a world where there are so many diverse perspectives and ideas, preserving the freedom to access information and engage with differing viewpoints is paramount. Banning books infringes on an individual’s right to free thought by preventing access to certain ideas or narratives. We risk creating an intellectual echo chamber, where only one narrative is allowed, limiting the potential for progress. Books have the power to educate, inspire, and challenge prevailing norms. They provide a medium through which readers can explore complex themes and broaden their understanding of the world.