P!nk is giving back to her fans in an awesome way. The singer has partnered up with PEN America to give away 2,000 copies of books that are currently banned from schools and libraries in Florida at her upcoming concerts. The books include Todd Parr’s The Family Book, Amanda Gorman’s The Hill We Climb, Toni Morrison’s Beloved, and Stacia Deutsch’s Girls Who Code.
In a statement about the collaboration, P!nk said: “Books have held a special joy for me from the time I was a child, and that’s why I am unwilling to stand by and watch while books are banned by schools. It’s especially hateful to see authorities take aim at books about race and racism and against LGBTQ authors and those of colour. We have made so many strides toward equality in this country and no one should want to see this progress reversed.”
According to PEN America, over 1,400 books have been banned from the state’s public schools and libraries since last year, many of which deal with topics such as racism, sexuality, gender, and history. Most recently, Steve Martin’s 2000 novella Shopgirl was banned in Florida. In response to the news, Martin wrote on Instagram: “So proud to have my book Shopgirl banned in Collier County, Florida! Now people who want to read it will have to buy a copy!”
It’s great to see P!nk using her platform to give back and promote inclusivity. It’s also a reminder of how important it is to support authors and fight censorship.
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