Pink, the singer, plans to distribute 2,000 'banned' books during her concerts in Florida

Pop singer Pink is taking a stand against book censorship in Florida by giving away 2,000 free copies of banned books to her fans at her concerts in Miami this week. The controversy arises from certain libraries and classrooms removing books that contain sexual content, explore themes of sexuality, gender identity, and race. Pink, in collaboration with Pen America, a campaign group that advocates for freedom of expression, aims to draw attention to the issue. According to Pen America, Florida has the highest number of banned books among all US states, accounting for more than 40% of documented cases. Pink expressed her frustration, stating that censorship is both confusing and infuriating. The campaign specifically focuses on books related to race, racism, LGBTQ issues, and authors of color. Pink believes that progress towards equality should not be reversed, and it is vital to protect freedom of expression. She hopes that handing out these books will prompt discussions and raise awareness about the issue of banning books. Some school districts in Florida have experienced instances of book bans, and Pen America reports that across the country, school book removals increased by one third in the past year. Florida's Department of Education denies banning books, and Governor Ron DeSantis has dismissed the notion as a hoax. DeSantis emphasizes the importance of creating an education system free from sexualization and inappropriate materials, asserting that some individuals attempt to use schools for indoctrination. The controversy surrounding book censorship in Florida has been fueled by recent state laws. The "Don't Say Gay" bill, for instance, prohibits the teaching of sexual orientation and gender identity to children, while another law requires books to be age-appropriate, devoid of pornography, and suited to student needs. These books must be approved by a specialist trained by the Department of Education, and parents have been granted more power to request book removals. Additionally, a law introduced in 2022 prevents teaching about race-related issues from being influenced by the so-called "far-left woke agenda," as stated by Governor DeSantis.