Black & Banned: Day of Readings in Saratoga Springs at Frederick Allen Elks Lodge

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Frederick Allen Elks Lodge #609 will host an afternoon of shared readings from banned books by authors of color, or books that have been banned for calling out racism. 

The event will take place 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 23 at 69 Beekman St. and is sponsored by the Improved Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the World (IBPOEW)’s Frederick Allen Elks Lodge #609, Mary A. Carter Temple #362, and Our Lodge Foundation, in recognition of Black History Month.

The event, free and open to the public, is meant to celebrate the freedom to read without government or public interference – an essential right to creating a better world for everyone.

Anyone is welcome to participate by reading a short passage from a banned book and giving the reason why the book was or is banned.

Banned Books by Black Authors include: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Beloved, The Bluest Eye, The Color Purple, The Hate U Give.  Banned Books Exposing Racism include: To Kill A Mockingbird, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Black Like Me. 

The lodge bar will not be open, however, soda and water will be available for purchase. Donations to support FAL #609 and MACT #362 are welcomed. For more information, go to: frederickallenlodge.org