Aldrin Lopez Dr. Pangborn Literature & Composition 19 February 2024 The Freedom to Read: Protecting Books in Schools Banning books in schools is on the rise, but do we truly understand the harm it causes? In our constantly changing school environments, having the freedom to read various books is crucial for making us more well-rounded. Schools banning books negatively impact things like understanding different cultures, being ready for real-life issues, and supporting free speech. This essay argues that limiting access to certain books stops us from becoming informed and open-minded students, which goes against the core values of a good education. Books should not be banned in schools because students should be culturally aware, ready for real-world …show more content…
This may still seem a bit too broad, but I discovered that researching anything more specific than this is difficult, as there aren’t many articles and websites that fully cover those subjects. So, I decided to stick with my topic of banned books in high schools. Then, I brainstormed possible research questions that would aid me in searching for sources. The “Reasons for banning books in high schools”, and “effects of banning books in high schools” were questions I would use in finding helpful information for my argument. In selecting my sources, I looked for relatively up-to-date information that didn’t seem biased. This way, I’d be able to respect both sides of the argument. Books should not be banned in schools because students should be culturally aware. Studying various narrative styles not only enhances students' understanding of others, but also empowers them to be inclusive, creating school settings that are more diverse and welcoming for learning. According to an article from The 19th, some future white Americans may miss out on understanding the true history and current state of racial issues in …show more content…
Public school districts grapple with threats, political pressure, and parental concerns, prompting caution in book selections. “As book bans escalate, coupled with the proliferation of legislative efforts to restrict teaching about topics such as race, gender, American history, and LGBTQ+ identities, the freedom to read, learn, and think continues to be undermined for students” (PEN America). Despite a majority of parents opposing such bans according to a 2022 poll, the persistence of book bans, often driven by a vocal minority, poses challenges for public school districts facing external pressures. This escalating trend, coupled with legislative restrictions on various topics, jeopardizes students' freedom to read, learn, and think. This explains the fact that banning books in schools takes away the purpose of the First Amendment. It eliminates students’ freedom to read, learn, and think on their own. Additionally, such censorship undermines the fundamental principles of education, hindering the development of critical thinking skills essential for a well-informed and democratic
In the article How Banning Books Marginalizes Children, the author, Paul Ringel, states that approximately fifty-two percent of the books banned in the last ten years illustrate “diverse content”, such as race, religion, gender identity, etc. Ringel believes that attitudes about which books are “appropriate” for kids to read have too often suppressed stories about different cultures and life experiences. He basis his argument around the pretext that when libraries stop the banning it will allow kids to learn how to navigate imaginary worlds filled with differences and apply those lessons to their own lives.
The practice of the censorship of books in schools has been prevalent due to the explicit content of them. Parents have been complaining to schools about books that count as required reading because they disapprove with the points made in the book. If a book consists of offensive or sexually explicit material, then parents would challenge the schools about them in order to prevent their children from reading them. Censorship in general has been an intensely debated issue because it is considered an infringement to the First Amendment of the United States Constitution while others argue it is used to conceal inappropriate things (Aliprandini and Sprague). The banning of books in school curriculum has also been debated since parents see certain books as inappropriate while others argue that banning them hinders student learning. Against the censorship of books in schools, Fenice Boyd and Nancy Bailey, authors of Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy, believe that banning books creates a barrier between students and intellectual development (Boyd and Bailey, 655). Banning books from schools and removing them from the curriculum prevents students from exploring different ideas and developing creativity and critical thinking skills.
The government believes it is much easier to control a society full of dumb people, so they put up an law to restrict books from the public. “We must all be alike. Not everyone born free and equal, as the constitution says, but everyone made equal... A book is a loaded gun in the house next door. Burn it. Take the shot from the weapon. Breach man’s mind”. Books are dangerous, not because they physically are, but because of the knowledge they contain can bring about any opponent. Ideas and knowledge makes people question how things are, and allows them to see all the problems within this corrupted
From the years 2000 to 2009, 5,099 books were challenged in school libraries, classrooms, and public libraries. Most of the books on this list were banned because of objectionable content such as sexual references, profanity, violence, and the fact that the book was considered “unsuited to age group” (American Library Association). Even prior to the year 2000, censorship and banned books had become an issue for schools in particular all across the country for these very reasons. While the The Color Purple by Alice Walker does contain the objectionable content mentioned prior, it should not be banned because objectionable content found in the book is accessible through the internet and social media, one person’s complaint should not determine another’s choice, and high school students should be mature enough to handle the adult content.
School boards and teachers have a responsibility for protecting the minds of their students and covering age appropriate material. However, does this responsibility cover the extreme act of banning books from school classrooms? Does not the teacher have a duty to introduce to their students world issues in order to better the students ability to cope with problems in the world? How does a school decide which books should be banned from the classroom, and should it be left up to the teacher to decide what is decided in his/her classroom. By banning books from the classroom, we prevent our students from learning about controversial topics in a safe environment, and we also encroach upon the student’s freedom of reading what they want in school.
Imagine you have a child. This child loves to read books on their own. They read so much you finally tell them to get their books from the library. Then, one day, your child asks you what does this word mean, you are horrified to see that the child is pointing to a curse word. From that point on the child gets in trouble with teachers and other adults for saying that word. This is why book banning is necessary to keep children from finding themselves in that situation and others. Book banning is required because a child may be taught bad habits, lose the magical innocence of childhood, and because children may not be mature enough to decide what materials to read.
There are many reasons behind book banning and what it stands for, that make a case for book censorship. One main advantage of book banning is that it is protecting children from inappropriate content. A book is usually banned because it contains material that is deemed unfit for minors. Most parents and schools do n... ... middle of paper ... ...
Censorship in American Schools You may not realize this, but our government plays a large role in governing what sort of information America’s children are exposed to. The average American child receives the majority of their knowledge and education from school, so the information that is allowed to be taught is a very delicate and controversial issue. Literature is often altered or banned from public schools and libraries because they contain vulgar language, excessive violence, or connotations of drugs and sex. The reasoning behind this is that these are potentially dangerous ideas, and if children were to be exposed to them, they would be corrupted and manipulated by them.
Censorship in School Libraries The most debatable and controversial form of censorship today is the banning of books in school libraries. Banning books that educate students is wrong and selfish. Censorship of books in school libraries is neither uncommon nor an issue of the past. Books with artistic and cultural worth are still challenged constantly by those who want to control what others read. The roots of bigotry and illiteracy that fuel efforts to censor books and free expression are unacceptable and unconditional.
Throughout our society ideas, morals, and lessons are thought through books and if books are being banished from our schools, then we are all being deprived of our freedom as intellectuals that have the own opinions and ideas.
Montresor and Rainsford are two intelligent individuals who are on a journey to beat an opponent. Both of these protagonists are good planners. Their goals are different, revenge and survival, but they both succeed in carrying out their plans. Both men are intelligent and skilled, as Montresor carries out his plan perfectly, kills Fortunato, and is able to get away with it. Similarly, Rainsford uses his hunting skills and quick thinking and is able to defeat Zaroff, who is a very skilled hunter.
This burden often falls on teachers. The purpose of this research paper is to discuss censorship in schools and to argue that the censorship of books in the high school English curriculum is limiting and takes away literature that is meaningful to students. How a Book is Censored Brinkley describes a few actions that can lead to the censoring of a book in a school or school system: An expression of concern is simply a question about the material with overtones of disapproval; an oral complaint is an oral challenge to the contents of a work; a written complaint is a formal written challenge to the school about the contents of a work; and a public attack is a public statement challenging the contents of a work that is made outside of the school, usually to the media to gain support for further action (1999). Brinkley also points out an important difference between selection and censorship: Selection is the act of carefully choosing works for an English course that will be age-appropriate, meaningful, and fulfill objectives, while censorship is the act of excluding works that some con... ...
When we better understand that history, when we see the patterns, when we recognize the source of those issues, we can do something about it. " Through this quote, it goes to show that in certain books being read by children, the topic of racism and bigotry is being touched on, and to some, this is found to be a harsh topic for young kids to grasp. However, the truth of the matter is that acknowledging these continuous issues may even further benefit us because it may bring more accountability to further fix the issues. In Text 2: “Book Bans Have Effects Beyond Libraries,” it also stated, “Worries if books are banned in schools, students will go without important cultural education.
The act of banning books serves as a way to stifle intellectual development as well as critical and independent thinking. Literature has always been a pathway for challenging perspectives, myriad ideas, and strengthening intellectual growth. By succumbing to banning books, the free exchange of ideas, the scope of knowledge, and the development of a well-rounded intellect are all in jeopardy. The harm being done to the population is great, but those who are the most negatively impacted are the students in our schools. The non-profit organization PEN America lists 3,362 books banned in public school classrooms and libraries between July 1, 2022, and June 31, 2023, in the United States.
Dear Local Board of Educators, Did you know that books like How to Kill a Mockingbird, Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl, and The Catcher in the Rye, have been banned in some schools as have many other books that students can use for class. Books have been around for hundreds of years and they have helped educate many individuals throughout their lifetime. By banning books, we are limiting education and dictating what students should and shouldn’t learn. Banning books causes students' grades to drop, and it also causes a negative impact on kids who love and need books.