MIAMI — The first 1,000 fans to show up at pop star P!nk's upcoming shows in Miami (Tuesday, Nov. 14) and Sunrise (Wednesday, Nov. 15) will get a free book: specifically a title that's been challenged or banned in some of Florida's schools.
The singer, whose hit songs include "So What," "Raise Your Glass" and "Blow Me (One Last Kiss)" has teamed up with nonprofit PEN America to hand out a total of 2,000 books that have been targeted in Florida. The titles include:
"Beloved" by Toni Morrison
Published in 1987 and set after the Civil War, the book tells the story of a family of former slaves, the tension and dysfunction within the family, and the spirits and traumatic memories of their lives as slaves that come back to haunt them. PEN America says "Beloved" has been banned in nine school districts in Florida.
"The Family Book" by Todd Parr
A picture book for young children offers a look at the many different kinds of families in the world, including families with same-sex parents. The inclusion and representation of such families got the book banned in three districts.
"The Hill We Climb" by Amanda Gorman
The poem Gorman recited at President Joe Biden's inauguration was widely acclaimed for its look back through America's history, its optimism toward the future, and its message calling for unity. However, the book in which the poem was published was restricted to middle school students at a school in Miami-Dade County after one parent claimed the book contained 'hate messages'.
"Girls Who Code" by Reshma Saujani
This book series, written and published by the founder of the organization of the same name, offers an illustrated guide to computer science and coding principles to young readers. Told in the form of a story, it centers around a group of girls who become friends in their school’s coding club. The book briefly made headlines in 2020 when it was included on a list of school resources the Central York district in Pennsylvania intended to ban, allegedly for being "too activist" or "indoctrination". The district rescinded the ban in 2021 after public pressure.
"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," Pink said in a statement. "It’s especially hateful to see authorities take aim at books about race and racism and against LGBTQ authors and those of color.
"We have made so many strides toward equality in this country, and no one should want to see this progress reversed."
