Book Burning in the 21st Century
Arguably, the once fiery debate of "Print vs. Ebook" has relaxed into more of an evolutionary discussion. Still, print books continue to be the popular format for ritual book burnings in the Digital Age. Examples of 21st century book burnings are given below.
Political Activism-Michigan (2012)
"Troy, Michigan couldn't afford to sustain its library, so it scheduled a vote for a tax increase. A strong anti-tax group waged a dominating campaign against it. Posing as a political group, we posted signs around town that said, "Vote to close Troy library Aug 2, book burning party Aug 5." We invited everyone to our Facebook page, adding Twitter, Foursquare, want ads, flyers and more to drive engagement. The campaign became international news as outcry over the idea of burning the library's books drowned out the opposition and galvanized support for the library - which won by a landslide." (YouTube Description)
Political Activism-Michigan (2012)
"Troy, Michigan couldn't afford to sustain its library, so it scheduled a vote for a tax increase. A strong anti-tax group waged a dominating campaign against it. Posing as a political group, we posted signs around town that said, "Vote to close Troy library Aug 2, book burning party Aug 5." We invited everyone to our Facebook page, adding Twitter, Foursquare, want ads, flyers and more to drive engagement. The campaign became international news as outcry over the idea of burning the library's books drowned out the opposition and galvanized support for the library - which won by a landslide." (YouTube Description)
Religious Reasons-Florida (2010)
Pastor Terry Jones of Gainesville, Florida announced on his Facebook Page that "Islam is the Devil" and stated his plans to burn copies of the Qu'ran on the anniversary of the September 11 attacks. While a media outcry from world leaders convinced the pastor to cease his book burning plans, several copycat burnings took place across the United States on the anniversary (Schwartz, 2015).
Pastor Terry Jones of Gainesville, Florida announced on his Facebook Page that "Islam is the Devil" and stated his plans to burn copies of the Qu'ran on the anniversary of the September 11 attacks. While a media outcry from world leaders convinced the pastor to cease his book burning plans, several copycat burnings took place across the United States on the anniversary (Schwartz, 2015).
Below is President Obama's response to Pastor Jones's book burning threat. Obama calls the proposed burning contrary to American values and discusses the threat the burning would pose to Americans overseas. Furthermore, President Obama asserts that such a stunt would be a "recruitment bonanza for Al Qaeda."
Protest-Netherlands (2011)
In the Netherlands in 2011, the group "Foundation Honor and Restore Victims of Slavery in Surinam" insisted the author of The Book of Negroes Lawrence Hill change the title of his work. The group argued that the title of the work insulted the black community; other editions of the book were published under different titles, such as Someone Knows My Name and Aminata. The group vowed to burn copies of the book, but only the cover page since it was only the title they found offensive, in Amsterdam park (RNW Media, n.d.).
In the Netherlands in 2011, the group "Foundation Honor and Restore Victims of Slavery in Surinam" insisted the author of The Book of Negroes Lawrence Hill change the title of his work. The group argued that the title of the work insulted the black community; other editions of the book were published under different titles, such as Someone Knows My Name and Aminata. The group vowed to burn copies of the book, but only the cover page since it was only the title they found offensive, in Amsterdam park (RNW Media, n.d.).
Religious Reason-Israel (2008)
In a city near Tel-Aviv, the deputy mayor of Or-Yehuda reportedly organized a student book burning of several hundred copies of New Testament Bibles. However, the mayor denied any involvement several days later and teenagers were arrested in connection with the text torching. Perhaps more importantly was the ignition of an international debate regarding laws and issues pertaining to freedom of expression (Bixler, 2008).
In a city near Tel-Aviv, the deputy mayor of Or-Yehuda reportedly organized a student book burning of several hundred copies of New Testament Bibles. However, the mayor denied any involvement several days later and teenagers were arrested in connection with the text torching. Perhaps more importantly was the ignition of an international debate regarding laws and issues pertaining to freedom of expression (Bixler, 2008).
Political/Racial Reason-Germany (2006)
The Diary of Anne Frank was burned in Pretzien, Germany in the summer of 2006. Neo-nazis interrupted a Pagan summer festival to spread their political message by burning copies of this famous and heartbreaking diary of Jewish girl Anne Frank; Anne was murdered after her and members of her family were discovered by Nazis (Bixler, 2008).
The Diary of Anne Frank was burned in Pretzien, Germany in the summer of 2006. Neo-nazis interrupted a Pagan summer festival to spread their political message by burning copies of this famous and heartbreaking diary of Jewish girl Anne Frank; Anne was murdered after her and members of her family were discovered by Nazis (Bixler, 2008).
Political Reason/War-Canada (2004)
The United Talmud Torah school library in the St. Laurent neighbourhood of Montreal was set on fire; the fire destroyed approximately 15,000 books. The crime was committed by Sleiman El Merhebi, an 18 year-old male who claimed he was motivated by the war in the Middle East (Samek, 2004).
The United Talmud Torah school library in the St. Laurent neighbourhood of Montreal was set on fire; the fire destroyed approximately 15,000 books. The crime was committed by Sleiman El Merhebi, an 18 year-old male who claimed he was motivated by the war in the Middle East (Samek, 2004).
War-Iraq (2003)
Iraq was one of the first countries to suffer cultural annihilation in the 21st century. Following the Allied invasion of Baghdad in 2003, the national library and an Islamic library were both consumed by fire (Baez, 2004). Widespread looting was a problem at the time; however, it is suspected that books and manuscripts were deliberately burned after the takeover.
Religious Reasons-Cairo, Egypt (2001)
The Egyptian Ministry of Culture, under pressure from Islamic fundamentalists, opted to burn thousands of volumes of poetry by Abu Nuwas. The eighth-century poet is famous for his homoerotic verse (Schwartz, 2015).
Iraq was one of the first countries to suffer cultural annihilation in the 21st century. Following the Allied invasion of Baghdad in 2003, the national library and an Islamic library were both consumed by fire (Baez, 2004). Widespread looting was a problem at the time; however, it is suspected that books and manuscripts were deliberately burned after the takeover.
Religious Reasons-Cairo, Egypt (2001)
The Egyptian Ministry of Culture, under pressure from Islamic fundamentalists, opted to burn thousands of volumes of poetry by Abu Nuwas. The eighth-century poet is famous for his homoerotic verse (Schwartz, 2015).