PEN Dallas will mark national Banned Books Week with an event open to the public featuring author and NBC News investigative reporter Mike Hixenbaugh, who will discuss his new book, They Came for the Schools: One Town’s Fight Over Race and Identity and the New War for America’s Classrooms.

This book pulls back the curtain on the powerful forces driving this crusade to ban books and restrict what is taught in schools, and in the process limit rights for minority and LGBTQ+ students.

PEN Dallas Chapter Leader and event moderator Sanderia Faye said: “Free expression is a cornerstone of a thriving democracy, and essential to ensure that every individual has the right to share ideas, stories, and perspectives without fear of censorship. In Texas, we are experiencing a troubling rise in book bans, threatening access to diverse literature and the fundamental freedom to think critically and engage with different viewpoints. Pushing back against these bans is crucial to safeguarding intellectual freedom, fostering open dialogue, and promoting an inclusive society where all voices, especially those from marginalized communities, can be heard.”

About PEN America

PEN America stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect open expression in the United States and worldwide. We champion the freedom to write and recognize the power of the word to transform the world. Our mission is to unite writers and their allies to celebrate creative expression and defend the liberties that make it possible. Learn more at pen.org.