Administrations throughout the country have attempted to ban books from public school libraries, citing a litany of excuses by parents and others who refuse to acknowledge the racist past of generations long ago. During Black History Month, we will provide a summary of books by Black authors that were banned, along with why they were banned, and where to obtain them.

Things Fall Apart by Nigerian author Chinua Achebe

Summary (Courtesy of Sparknotes): Okonkwo is a wealthy and respected warrior of the Umuofia clan, a lower Nigerian tribe that is part of a consortium of nine connected villages. He is haunted by the actions of Unoka, his cowardly and spendthrift father, who died in disrepute, leaving many village debts unsettled. In response, Okonkwo became a clansman, warrior, farmer, and family provider extraordinaire. He has a twelve-year-old son named Nwoye whom he finds lazy; Okonkwo worries that Nwoye will end up a failure like Unoka.

In a settlement with a neighboring tribe, Umuofia wins a virgin and a fifteen-year-old boy. Okonkwo takes charge of the boy, Ikemefuna, and finds an ideal son in him. Nwoye likewise forms a strong attachment to the newcomer. Despite his fondness for Ikemefuna and despite the fact that the boy begins to call him “father,” Okonkwo does not let himself show any affection for him.

Why was it banned: It’s considered an important work in world literature, albeit a controversial one—the book has been banned in some places for its critical portrayal of European colonialism, and its references to violence. Visit the Richland Library website for more information.