To Be a Slave
Julius Lester
About this book
What was it like to be a slave? Listen to the words and learn about the lives of countless slaves and ex-slaves, telling about their forced journey from Africa to the United States, their work in the fields and houses of their owners, and their passion for freedom. You will never look at life the same way again.
Why it was banned
Named in federal litigation over Elizabeth School District, Colorado, after removals from classroom libraries in 2024.
Censorship history
United States legal context: To Be a Slave appears in filings connected to the ACLU of Colorado's lawsuit against Elizabeth School District over book removals. The district's answer to the complaint acknowledges that the title was among books identified for removal from some elementary- and middle-school classroom libraries, while plaintiffs argued the removals reflected viewpoint-based censorship. The case is concrete because it is tied to active federal litigation over student access, race, and the First Amendment.
Bans
| Country | Year | Reasons |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 2024 | Racial |