The Freedom to Read: Q&A with North Dakota Author Jennie Shortridge
In North Dakota and across the country, a growing number of books are being challenged or banned from school and public libraries. These efforts, often driven by a vocal minority, threaten the fundamental right to read and access information. In this Q&A series, we feature four North Dakota authors who have joined the conversation about censorship, book challenges, and the importance of intellectual freedom.
First up, Jennie Shortridge, a bestselling novelist with deep roots in North Dakota. We asked her to share her perspective on the current climate of censorship and what we can all do to support the right to read.
1. What are your thoughts on the growing number of book bans and challenges across the country?
It's an alarming symptom of the authoritarian power grab we're experiencing in this country. As every American knows in their heart, we are a nation founded, nurtured, and established on the principle that what we say and what we read or write shall not be decided by our governmental leaders. And we have the right not to listen to or read or allow our children to read or listen to whatever we don't want to, or want them to. It's what always made us a free society, and we're in serious danger of losing our freedoms. If you look at other regimes that came for free speech and books, trying to eradicate them, you will find only the long-established enemies of America and her people.
2. Have any of your books ever been challenged or censored? If so, what was that experience like for you?
I haven't, but my friends have, and it's devastating to them personally and professionally. And it's not right that their beautiful books can't find their way to those who most need them, including families of LGBTQ+ kids and adults, who are doing their best to learn about the issues their family members are grappling with.
3. Has this climate of censorship changed how you approach your writing or the topics you choose to explore?
No.
4. What message would you share with those who are challenging or banning books?
Understand that your reasoning and agenda are completely aligned with fascism and authoritarianism. Is that the environment you want your children and grandchildren to grow up in? Banning the stories of brown people and those in the LGBTQ+ community won't make them go away. It will just put you on the wrong side of history.
5. What can people in North Dakota do to push back against censorship and support the right to read?
Get involved at your local library. Show your support for the freedom of speech or banned books you love on social media. Choose banned books to read and discuss for your book club.
About the Author
Photo: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OR4asoaW6Fi-v6unSrvIgkIpJ44nIler/view?usp=sharing
Bio: Born in Grand Forks, North Dakota, Jennie Shortridge is a bestselling novelist: Love Water Memory, When She Flew, Love and Biology at the Center of the Universe, Eating Heaven, and Riding with the Queen. When not writing, teaching writing workshops, or volunteering with kids, she stays busy as a founding member of Seattle7Writers.org, a collective of Northwest authors devoted both to raising funds for community literacy projects and to raising awareness of Northwest literature.
Website: https://www.jennieshortridge.com/