The Central Arkansas Library System (CALS) will kick off its 2020 Banned Books Week on Sept. 27. This year’s event will center around the “The Autobiography of Malcolm X,” as told to Alex Haley. The week celebrates the freedom to read and provides CALS with an opportunity to highlight one of its core values: Respect diverse perspectives and provide access to all.
Here are a few of the week’s highlights:
Writing Contest
Flex your writing prowess with the annual Banned Books Writing Contest. This year’s prompts center around — you guessed it — “The Autobiography of Malcolm X.” Entries accepted through Sept. 25. The writing contest has one $350 grand prize and one $100 honorable mention prize. Click here for more contest details.
“Malcolm X: Make It Plain” Watch Party
Settle in for a virtual screening of the 1994 PBS documentary, “Malcolm X: Make it Plain” on Monday, Sept. 28. The film chronicles Malcolm X’s life from his birth on May 19, 1925, to his assassination at the Audobon Ballroom in New York City on Feb. 21, 1965. The story is told through the memories of the people closest to him, including Maya Angelou, Wallace D. Muhammad and his wife and daughter.
Crazy Free Books 2020
In this third year for this program, interested readers are able to secure one of 50 free copies of “The Autobiography of Malcolm X” on a first message received, first served basis until the books have all been claimed. Email sixbridgesbookfest@cals.org if you would like one. Be sure to put “Crazy Free Books” in your subject line and include a mailing address.
For more info about Banned Books Week, head to the CALS website.