Banned Books Week is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read. It runs from September 25th to October 1st this year.
We're encouraging as many people as possible to celebrate the freedom to seek and express ideas that some consider taboo with Banned Books Week. The week aims to bring together the entire book community; librarians, booksellers, publishers, journalists, teachers, and readers of all types, in shared support of the freedom of expression and information.
The week draws national attention to the harms of censorship. Banned books are those that have all been targeted with removal or restrictions in libraries and schools. While books have been and continue to be banned, part of the Banned Books Week celebration is the fact that, in a majority of cases, the books have remained available.
This continues to happen because people (like you) are speaking up about frequently challenged ideals within the pages of banned books. So speak up and join the effort to erase censorship from our schools, libraries, and governments.
Outspeak will be partaking in #BannedBooksWeek and we want to hear from you. Some of the issues you could focus on include:
- Your personal experiences with a banned book. (A list of frequently challenged books can be found here.)
- The freedom to read. Why books shouldn't be banned or challenged for their subject matter
- What your community, school, or business is doing in support of #BannedBooksWeek
- The importance of reading. A fond memory you've had with a book or how a book made you think of a controversial topic in a new way.
- The harms of censorship in relation to books.
If you currently have a video, or are interested in creating one for #BannedBooksWeek send it to us via Facebook or Twitter. We encourage you to use the hashtag and engage with others participating in Banned Books Week. Or email your submissions to social@outspeak.tv.
Your content has the opportunity to be featured on Huffington Post's massive social media pages, on Outspeak social media, and the chance for an editorial feature on the Outspeak page. For an example of how these features look. Check out our mashup video for the recent Orlando shooting tragedy, and our recent #BeyondthePodium Olympics campaign.
Please Keep In Mind The Following When Filming Your Video:
- Make sure you're shooting in a well-lit, non-distracted environment.
- Keep the shots well-composed and in focus.
- Keep the video short, 1-2 minutes preferred.
- Keep the video focused on one theme. People will listen if you can speak focused and passionately.
- Take a unique approach. How is this personal to you? Why is this issue in particular something you're passionate about?
- Do not use offensive or derogatory language. If used maliciously or recklessly, your video will not be considered for circulation.
If you have any questions, please contact us at social@outspeak.tv or give us a shout on Twitter.