Skip to main content

TED-Ed

One of the most banned books of all time - Mollie Godfrey

825,968 Views

8,319 Questions Answered

TEDEd Animation

Let’s Begin…

In 1998, a school district removed one of American literature’s most acclaimed works from its curriculum. Parents pushing for the ban said the book was both “sexually explicit” and “anti-white.” The book at the center of this debate was Maya Angelou’s “I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings.” Why was the memoir so controversial? Mollie Godfrey digs into one of the most banned books of all time.

Watch the video and finish the Think section to complete the lesson.


About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

Educator
Mollie Godfrey
Director
Laura White
Narrator
Karen Marie
Storyboard Artist
Laura White
Animator
Laura White
Compositor
Laura White
Art Director
Laura White
Composer
Stephen LaRosa
Sound Designer
Stephen LaRosa
Director of Production
Gerta Xhelo
Producer
Anna Bechtol
Associate Producer
Abdallah Ewis
Editorial Director
Alex Rosenthal
Editorial Producer
Dan Kwartler
Script Editor
Iseult Gillespie
Fact-Checker
Charles Wallace

More from Reading Between the Lines