Actor and activist George Takei is taking on a new role as honorary chair of Banned Books Week. The American Library Association announced Monday that the 88-year-old will lead the event, which runs from Oct. 5-11. Banned Books Week highlights censored works like “Gender Queer” and “The Bluest Eye.” Takei, who spent part of his childhood in a Japanese internment camp, emphasizes the importance of access to books. He will share leadership with Iris Mogul, a student active in anti-banning campaigns. Previous chairs include Ava DuVernay and LeVar Burton.
NEW YORK (AP) — Actor-activist George Takei's next project is on behalf of a longtime passion — the right to read.
The American Library Association announced Monday that the 88-year-old Takei will serve as honorary chair of Banned Books Week, which takes place Oct. 5-11. Libraries and bookstores around the country will highlights books that have been censored, from Maia Kobabe's “Gender Queer” to Toni Morrison's “The Bluest Eye.”
“I remember all too well the lack of access to books and media that I needed growing up. First as a child in a barbed-wire prison camp, then as a gay young man in the closet, I felt confused and hungry for understanding about myself and the world around me,” said the “Star Trek” actor, who spent part of his childhood in a Japanese internment camp during World War II.
"Please stand with me in opposing censorship, so that we all can find ourselves — and each other — in books.”
Previous honorary chairs for Banned Books Week, established in 1982, include Ava DuVernay, LeVar Burton and Jason Reynolds.
Takei will share leadership with honorary youth chair Iris Mogul, a first-year student at the University of California, Santa Cruz who has been active for years in anti-banning campaigns.