The annual banned books reading, hosted by Sigma Tau Deltachallenged works. As ULM’s English club, Sigma Tau Delta seeks to foster a love of literature, and this event is a direct extension of that mission.
Beyond promoting camaraderie, the gathering served a dual purpose: to raise awareness about the issue of banned books and to collectively celebrate the power of literature.
“Entering Walker Hall every day, I see the University motto, with its blazing torch shining above an open book: ‘seek the truth’, not ‘seek the truth if it’s convenient’ or ‘seek the truth we want you to seek,’” English professor and faculty sponsor Patrick Morgan said. “Everyone on Earth seeks some small part of a larger truth only they can unveil, and we do that by following our curiosity. Events like these allow students to do just that, selecting a passage they care about from a book that has been deemed dangerous.”
This mission is unfathomably urgent. According to PEN America, a free speech advocacy group, over 6,870 books have been banned in public schools in the 2024-2025 academic year alone. This list features prominent titles like Margaret Atwood’s “The Handmaid’s Tale”, George Orwell’s “1984”, and Jodi Picoult’s “Nineteen Minutes”. Books are typically challenged for reasons such as sexually explicit material, offensive language, or for tackling difficult topics like race, sex and politics. Specifically, “Nineteen Minutes” has been banned for its exploration of a school shooting, and “1984” for its political critiques.
For the participants, the event was a powerful rebuttal to such censorship.
“The book I chose, ‘Not that Bad’, is a collection and reports shared by sexual assault survivors, and it was banned for sexual content and controversy,” Sigma Tau Delta president and English graduate Rebecca Miller said. “In 2025, we are still having to challenge these stigmas that surround sexual assault. Survivors are struggling to be believed, and now more than ever, empathy is greatly needed in today’s culture.”
Faculty echoed this sentiment, underscoring the stakes of literary censorship.
“Banned books are never just about the books: what is really being banned is thoughts, and ultimately humans,” Morgan said. “When writers craft stories, they give voice to the lived experience of what it means to be human. Banning books is a denial of certain aspects of that experience.”
The banned book reading is only one of many ways Sigma Tau Delta advocates for freedom of expression. Throughout the semester, the club hosts poetry readings, movie nights and other literary events. For those looking to further the cause, senior English major and Sigma Tau Delta Vice President Hayden DeRouen encourages personal initiative.
“If you would like to spread literacy and free expression, feel free to create book clubs, display artwork and write your own stories,” DeRouen said. “By sharing literature you enjoy, you are bound to get others interested.”
