11th Annual Banned Books Readout: Let Freedom Read

Oct 4, 2023 12:15pm - 1:45pm
University Student Union - Northridge Center

We gather to celebrate freedom of expression by reading aloud from books that have been challenged. Join the University Library, the Department of Journalism, the Queer Studies Program and the Pride Center for the 11th Annual Banned Books Readout! CSUN Associate Professor of Journalism and First Amendment Scholar Elizabeth Blakey will speak about censorship. CSUN students in Professor Blakey's J480 History of American News Media class will give dramatic readings. Pizza will be available at the Northridge Center entrance beginning 12:15 p.m. Our special guest speaker is Minerva Canto. The event is free and everyone is welcome.

Special Guest Speaker

Minerva Canto is a freelance journalist who writes about social and political issues and is president of Inlandia Institute, a literary arts nonprofit in the Inland Empire. She is a former editorial writer for the Los Angeles Times and has worked as a news columnist for Capital & Main and The Orange County Register; a staff writer for The Associated Press in Los Angeles and San Diego; and reporter for newspapers in New Mexico, Oregon and Washington. She has written about immigration, police, courts, the U.S.-Mexico border, education, public health and the arts. She has reported throughout Mexico, including covering a presidential campaign, a year-long project on violence against women in Ciudad Juárez, and stories about cross-border issues. She has received awards for her reporting on victims of violence and reporting in Latin America. Minerva is a native of Mexico City and grew up in Santa Ana, California.

Assistive Services

Requests for accommodation services (e.g. sign language interpreters or transcribers) must be made at least five (5) business days in advance. Please email library.event@csun.edu in advance of the event.