Pink’s Plan To Hand Out ‘Banned’ Books Sparks Conservative Backlash

Pink has come up with a creative way to get around Florida’s book ban, but some people are not happy about it.

The pop star promised to give away 2,000 copies of four books banned in some public schools in the state at her upcoming live shows in Miami and Sunrise, Florida.

She made the announcement during an Instagram Live on Sunday and revealed she was partnering with literacy advocate group, PEN America. The four titles appear on PEN America’s Index of Banned Books and include The Family Book by Todd Parr, Amanda Gorman’s The Hill We Climb, Beloved by Toni Morrison and a book from Girls Who Code which was founded by Reshma Saujani.

Last year, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed legislation in the state banning books in schools that included any kind of sexually explicit material. Republicans, including DeSantis, have said the legislation prevents students from obtaining books that are not age-appropriate, but critics view the law as an attempt to stifle discussion about issues including race and the LGBTQ+ community in public schools, raising concerns that many topics may be censored by this law.

“I’m a voracious reader, and I’m a mom of two kids who are also voracious readers,” Pink said. “And I can’t imagine my own parents telling me what my kids can and cannot read, let alone someone else’s parents, let alone someone else that doesn’t even have children that are deciding what my children can read.”

The singer added that giving away the books was also a method to raise awareness about the book bans.

“It’s especially hateful to see authorities take aim at books about race and racism and against LGBTQ authors and those of color. We have made so many strides toward equality in this country and no one should want to see this progress reversed,” Pink said on Sunday.

But some people took to X, formerly Twitter, to voice their distaste at Pink’s decision.

“Periodic reminder that when they accuse us of ‘banning books’ they’re referring to p0rnographic books which are offered to kids in schools across the country. For some reason they never provide visuals…Now Pink is pledging to give kids p0rnographic books in Florida. Why would a singer want kids reading p0rn?” wrote one person.

But Pink hit back at claims she was pushing pornography onto kids.

“I talk about reading. Books. Classics. Not porn. Porn isn’t my thing. Supporting freedom of speech is. Allowing hateful, narrow minded bigots to decide what all children can read is not my thing either. FREEDOM! MERICA!” she wrote on X.

Another critic wrote: “This is why I don’t listen to her music anymore.”

And a third pointed out a technicality: “I love your voice and music. But you are not being truthful to your followers. A books or two were banned from one school because of parent complaints, not banned in Florida. Be straight with facts.”

Despite some backlash, plenty of people supported Pink’s plans.

“As a mom who continues to show up and push back here in Florida, I cannot thank@Pink enough. We had people trying to ban a book at our school board meeting this month. So many parents like me feel seen and appreciate you. Also one of your biggest fans,” wrote one supporter.

Another added: “Those who ban books never end up on the right side of history. Read every banned book twice and don’t stop talking about them.”

And a third wrote: “Thanks for highlighting the terrible decision to ban books in school in Florida. To Kill A Mockingbird is a book every student should read. They are all terrific books.”

Known for her no-nonsense attitude, Pink is no stranger to standing up to trolls online.

She hit back at an X user who mocked actor Eddie Izzard dressed in a pink-and-orange dress and sporting spiky hair similar to Pink’s signature short. “Happy birthday @Pink,” the poster wrote alongside the snap.

But Pink was having none of it and schooled the social media user on their “ignorance.”

“Thank you so much. I just showed my 12-year-old daughter your post,” Pink retorted and shared the post in September.

“I explained to her that I’ve never met you, I don’t know you, and I have no idea why you would go out of your way to be hateful. It was a good lesson in ignorance.”