Japanese-American Icon George Takei Leads Fight Against Book Bans

As the 2025 Banned Books Week approaches, acclaimed actor, activist, and author George Takei has been named the Honorary Chair of the annual campaign. Takei, now 88 years old, is using this platform to continue his lifelong fight against book censorship and promote the value of free and open access to information.

Takei's personal experiences during World War II have been a driving force behind his advocacy. In 2019, he published a graphic memoir titled "They Called Us Enemy," which detailed his childhood spent in various U.S. internment camps for Japanese Americans. This book, along with his other works, has faced bans in multiple school districts nationwide.

During a recent event at the Brooklyn Public Library, Takei discussed his harrowing experiences as a child, recalling how his family was forced out of their homes at gunpoint and taken to a racetrack before being transferred to a prison camp in Arkansas. Takei's father had told him they were "going on a long vacation in the country," but the young Takei soon realized the harsh realities of their situation.

Takei's commitment to sharing these stories and educating the public about this dark chapter in American history remains unwavering. He believes that the internment of Japanese Americans during WWII is a crucial part of the country's democratic legacy that is often overlooked or misunderstood by many. Through his work as an author and activist, Takei aims to ensure that future generations are better informed about this important historical event.