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Challenges of diversity in the classroom
The effects of censorship on society
Challenges of diversity in the classroom
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“I believe that books challenge and interrogate. They give us windows into the lives of others and give us mirrors so that we can better see ourselves. Ultimately if you have a worldview that can be undone by a novel, let me submit that the problem is not with the novel.” This quote was said by John Greene, and everything he said is completely true. By banning books, schools are teaching young children that there is no diversity in the world and that the world they know is the world everyone knows. When schools promote these small worldviews, that is when prejudice and discrimination grow and fester. The children begin to think that since a book is banned it must be wrong, but in reality, it’s not wrong, it’s just different. Like John Greene said, if someone has a worldview that is so small that they feel the need to ban a book because something in the book is different than the life they’ve experienced, then the problem is most definitely not with the book, it is with the person. Schools should not ban books because it plants the seed of discrimination in children and halts the progression of society. …show more content…
Firstly, censorship halts creativity and impedes the progression of our society.
According to the article “Literary Censorship in Schools Impedes Progress” by Adriana Lopez, she makes the argument that by schools banning books they are impeding students creativity and ability to learn about, and experience second-hand, the world around them. By limiting what students are exposed to, it blocks their experience and creativity, and schools should help expand students creativity, not limit it. Censored books also help society as a whole become more progressive. By reading these diverse books and opening up people’s eyes to some of the hardships that others face it allows children to be more accepting of people’s differences. By banning these diverse books it teaches young children to be discriminatory against these
differences. Secondly, schools should promote different books that talk about controversial topics. According to the article, “Ban a book, Draw Readers” by Cole Bancroft he shares a story that happened in one of high school English classes. Bancroft’s class was reading Moby Dick, and the teacher did not want the class to read chapter ninety-five. When the students in Bancroft’s class heard that they were not allowed to read that chapter they went home and did just what they were instructed not to do. Bancroft shared that even the kids who never did their homework went home and read the chapter because they wanted to know what all the fuss was about. This has happened to other books as well. When a middle in Pasco County banned The Perks of Being a Wallflower it shot up to number seven on the Amazon Bestseller list. The school wanted to ban the book because it discusses homosexuality, drug abuse, rape, and suicide. Charlie, the main character, is a high school freshman who loses his best friend to suicide, watches his sister’s boyfriend abuse and rape her, discovers that he was sexually abused by his aunt, and ultimately attempts suicide. The school stated that “The novel’s message, while good for students with troubles like the protagonist’s, exposed many children to disturbing images and information for the first time” (Bancroft 1). By banning this book the students at this middle school were not able to read about these harsh topics, and were, therefore, unable to bring awareness to them. If young readers were exposed to these harsh topics they might be better able to understand and emphasize with people who have experienced them. Or, unfortunately, they may be better prepared to deal with events that may happen to them later in their life. Books are banned or challenged to protect children from difficult ideas or information. These people fail to see the book as a whole and instead focus on bad language that the book uses or one inappropriate scene. They then judge the whole book based on that one aspect. Thirdly, by focusing on these “inappropriate” scenes it teaches young children in schools to be discriminatory towards what is contained within the pages of the book. According to the article, “North Carolina School System pulls a book about a Boy in a Dress” by Christopher Mele he mentions that an elementary school was going to read a book to their students to teach them about bullying, and how to stand up to bullies. In the book, a boy decides to wear a dress to school, and he gets picked on, but by the end of the book his friends stick up for him, and the bully gets in trouble. School administrators pulled the book because the boy was wearing a dress, and focused on that one detail instead of seeing the whole book, which was how to stand up to bullies. Teaching kids how to stand up to bullies would have done more good than the harm that would come from reading about a boy wearing a dress. The pros would have outweighed the cons, but now they taught those students to be discriminatory and rude towards any boy who wears a dress. By banning this book, the school was teaching children how to be the one thing this book was trying to prevent, and that is being a bully. Frankly, this is hypocritical because if the book was about a girl who liked sports and was a “tomboy” no one would have complained, but since a boy was doing “girl” things the book was banned. This is the double-standard that the school board is teaching the young generation. Not only does it teach a double-standard, but this book could have taught kids how to support other’s differences, and that is something society as a whole needs help with. Not just the children. This book would have taught the young children that it’s okay to be different, and not only that, but it’s okay for others to be different. Schools should be teaching students to accept the differences of others, and aiding in the progression of society. Schools are supposed to prepare children for the outside world and widen their current views of how diverse the world truly is. According to the article “Ban School Books? Don’t Make it Easy for Challengers” by Keri Watts she states that by banning books that contain difficult topics schools are teaching kids that the outside world is a peaceful, happy place and that there is nothing wrong with society. She states that it will teach kids that there is no such thing as gender and sexual inequality, or that ethnic minorities aren’t discriminated against. Authors write these books to bring light on these difficult topics, and by banning their books schools are preparing kids for an outside world that isn’t brutal, and therefore the children will not be prepared for the world outside their home. By banning books that talk about problems with the world’s society, it doesn’t make the problem go away, so schools should stop trying to act like the problem doesn’t exist. Finally, according to the article “Let’s Talk about it Instead of Banning it” by Jordan McNeil, the author states that in order to help these societal problems society needs to talk about them and acknowledge their presence. McNeil says: Reading gives kids a safe place to explore the world and figure things out for themselves. They can try new identities, experience new cultures, learn new things about the world without fear of failure, or embarrassment, or danger. Reading about something that doesn’t affect them, or occur in their day-to-day life, can open up conversations-useful, helpful, healthy conversations- about the world around them. (McNeil 1). Some parents stress that they may go about having these difficult conversations with children the wrong way. McNeil tells these parents to teach their children that the world is full of diversity, and some people have different lives than others, and deal with different struggles. When parents are trying to protect their children from the world by not talking about these topics, they are actually putting them in danger because eventually those children will grow up and experience the world first-hand, and if the only world those children know is the small community they grew up in than they will fall on their face when they are confronted with the differences and variety that makes up the world. Not only does banning these books hurt children, but it teaches the people who have experienced the things that happen in the banned book to be ashamed of what has happened in their life. It teaches them to be ashamed of their life, and society should not teach people to be ashamed of who they are. The world’s society is one that is ravished by hate. Schools banning books is only adding fuel to the fire where hate spreads hate spreads hate spreads hate. The world should no longer live in this hateful society. Instead, the world should live in a society that is ravished by love. Where love spreads love spreads loves spreads love. Where society loves everyone no matter their race, sexuality, religious affiliation, social class, and everything else that creates a person. Where society loves everyone no matter the challenges they’ve faced in their lives, and the struggles they have dealt with. The people that make up this earth should live in a world where society loves everyone period. Schools not banning books will not create this magical society, but it is a step in the right direction. It is a step that society needs to take. Like Adriana Lopez says in a quote similar to John Greene’s, “Books being banned is not the problem in schools; rather the problem is the small view of the world that fails when it is challenged by a new perspective on the world.”
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.
In order to understand how banning books in schools affect student learning, it is important to understand why books are banned in the first place. If parents describe a book as inappropriate or offensive for children, they can complain about it to the school district to have it banned. If the school district agrees with the parents, they will ban the book from the school curriculum and forbid teachers from teaching the book to students. Parents might think that the book goes against religious or moral...
People ban or challenge books because they don't want other to read them because of their content, even thought we see most of it in our everyday life. To stop book banning and to keep books on the shelves; if a book has inappropriate content and someone wants to buy it or get it from the library or store they have to get the parents consent. This will also keep parents informed on what their child is reading.
As the American Library Association notes, books are usually banned "with the best intention…to protect others, frequently children, from difficult ideas and information." (Brunner). If a book has frightening or controversial ideas in them, adults willing often censor that book from children. From 2000 to 2009, of the 5,099 challenges that were reported, 1,639 of these challenges were in school libraries and 30 challenges in academic libraries. (Frequently Challenged Books). At various times in American history, even some of the tamest books have been banned. Harriet the Spy, was banned because it supposedly taught children to "lie, spy, back-talk, and curse." Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl was banned for being too depressing. A Light in the Attic, by Shel Silverstein, was banned because it might encourage kids to break dishes so they won't have to dry them. (Frequently Challenged Books). While some of these excuses are more reasonable than other excuses, the banning of these books prevents the children from empathizing...
The American Association of School Administrators (AASA) defines censorship as: “The removal, suppression, or restricted circulation of literary, artistic, or educational materials… of images, ideas, and information…on the grounds that these are morally or otherwise objectionable in light of standards applied by the censor” (Miner 1998). In schools there are three types of censorship, one type is a “parent who doesn’t want their child to read a particular book. Another is a parent, teacher, administrator, or school board member who argues that no one in the class, or school should read the book in dispute. Lastly, there is censorship that involves someone who is part of an organized campaign, whether of a local or national group, and who goes in ready for a fight and wants to make a broader political point” (Miner 1998). Although there are many others ways that a piece of literature could get censored, most censored works are asked to be removed from classrooms and school libraries.
Book banning is a prime target for censorship. Censorship in print media, notably book banning, occurs across homes, schools, stores, and other facilities daily. Censorship in the schools is the most widespread and exposed place for book banning. Do administrators and school boards have the right to ban books? Are we taking away the rights of children to read? In case of Island Trees Schools District V. Pico in New York, the Supreme Court gave the school board broad discretion to frame curriculum and teach civic and moral values. This case resulted in the school board removing ten books from the school library for being "anti-american, anti-christian, anti-semitic, and just plain filthy." Another case involving book banning was Hazelwood School District V. Kuhlmeier. In this case the Supreme Court again gave school officials the broad discretion to control curriculum. This time the court left open the question if this affects the school libraries. In Olathe, Kansas, the district's superintendent made the decision to remove all copies of Nancy Gardner's Annie On My Mind because of it imposing views for gay actions. This standpoint resulted in a public book burning by a homophobic community group. At Hempfield High School in Western Penn...
Banning books from public schools and public libraries is wrong. It’s irrational to have a parent or school board member’s opinion determine what a school district should be reading. Books including and not limited to, The Scarlet Letter, The Great Gatsby, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Lord of the Flies, and Animal Farm all have one thing in common. They have all at one time or another been subject to banishment. These literary classics have been around for a long time and proved to be vital to the education of many, especially children and adolescents. These novels teach values and educate children about world affairs that can not come from an everyday experience. These controversial novels encompass the materials that ultimately boost our educational wealth. Banning books infringe
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.
Literature has long been an important part of human life. We express our feelings with ink and paper; we spill out our souls on dried wood pulp. Writing has been form of release and enjoyment since the beginning of written language. You can tell a story, make yourself a hero. You can live out all your fantasies. You can explore all of your thoughts, feelings, and emotions, and share them with the outside world. But just because you can write, don't think you are uninhibited!
According to the American Library Association (ALA), family values, religion, political views, and minority rights are four motivating factors of why people want to ban books although there are many others (Kennedy Kids’ Book Censorship). Racial issues are commonly a concern when it comes to banning books because people often mistake the content for encouragement rather than discussion (Kelly). Religious fundamentalists frequently find topics such as homosexuality and magic inappropriate because it seems to support damaging lifestyles and witchcraft when the writer could simply be using these topics to help a child expand their imagination to different ideas of life (Kelly). Family values are a big issue when it comes to what tea...
In conclusion, book banning is necessary because children may be taught bad habits, lose the magical innocence of childhood, and not be mature enough to decide what materials to read. The banning of books, while unfortunate, is needed to help keep children safe and
Book banning in the United States and anywhere else in the world I feel should be abolished. Books are published and written for a reason. The reason is to expand the mind to new things. Sure some books are better than others but there is no reason to challenge or ban books.
Some people may argue that students should have a right to read what they prefer because we are denying them of their first amendment freedoms of the press and freedom of speech. No book should be banned due to improper themes in them. Books are a gift in which authors can express their opinion and beliefs and we can read about them. Kids should be able to be open minded to all books, banning books won’t affect you but it’ll affect children, which is what many
The subject of censorship is a very controversial one, especially the banning of books. Many people believe they must protect themselves and others from the "evils" of many classic books and works of art because they can be deemed "indecent" in one way or another. Many believe that this is absurd and censorship in its current form is a violation of our First Amendment right to free speech. Personally, I align myself with the latter, however I do feel there are occasions where censorship is justifiable.
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. Censoring school books in libraries can often lead to censorship of our basic freedoms guaranteed in the First Amendment. In some cases, a minority ends up dictating the majority in censorship cases. To be told what is permissible reading material and what is not is a direct violation of the First Amendment of the Constitution.