Book banning has been a debatable issue in the United States, with debates swirling around the reasons behind it and the consequences it brings. Ella Feldman's article, "Over 1,600 Books Were Banned During the Past School Year," sheds light on the alarming frequency of such incidents. Book banning is rooted in moral and religious objections. Certain groups or individuals may find certain content morally objectionable or conflicting with their religious beliefs. Books that address topics such as sexuality, religion, or violence are often targeted for censorship due to these concerns. Books that challenge or analyze winning political beliefs may also face censorship. In politically differing environments, there is a tendency to suppress disagreeing …show more content…
They may fear public outrage or legal challenges from vocal interest groups or individuals. As a result, they choose the safer route of cutting rather than defending cultured freedom and a mixture of thoughts. Perhaps the major consequence of book banning is the control of free speech and expression. By cutting certain ideas or viewpoints, societies limit the exchange of information and smother scholarly talks. This challenges the principles of democracy and diversity upon which the United States is founded. Book banning denies readers access to different viewpoints and experiences. When certain books are removed from circulation, readers are denied the opportunity to engage with different cultures, beliefs, and viewpoints. This bias involves ignorance and reinforces stereotypes, blocking social progress and understanding. In educational settings, book banning challenges the pursuit of knowledge and critical thinking. By restricting access to certain books, teachers are forced to limit their ability to provide students with a well-rounded education. Students miss out on valuable learning opportunities and are denied the chance to develop their scientific and thinking
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.
Aliprandini, Michael Sprague, Carolyn. "Banning Books: An Overview." Points Of View: Banning Books (2013): 1. Points of View Reference Center. Web. 19 Apr. 2014.
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.
"Book Banning." Current Issues: Macmillian Social Science Library. Detroit: Gale, 2010. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 31 Jan. 2011.
Trelease, Jim. "Book Banning Violates Children and Young Adult Freedoms." Book Banning. Ed. Ronnie D. Lankford. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2007. At Issue. Rpt. from "Censorship and Children's Books." Trelease-on-Reading.com. 2006.Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 31 Mar. 2014.
Banning Books “It’s not just the books under fire now that worry me. It is the books that will never be written, the books that will never be read. And all due to the fear of censorship. As always, young readers will be the real losers” (Blume 1999). Judy Blume can not explain the problem of book censorship any clearer.
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
We live in an overprotective society, where people try to control other people’s lives from things that they find explicit. Many parents believe that by sheltering their kids from offensive things it will keep them safe. But, trying to live life as if there is always sunshine and no rain turns out to be a big disappointment. The banning of books has a negative effect on children and adults alike, as it can shelter children from real life situations, and revokes the rights of the people. Although people believe in banning books that contain vulgar language and profanity to help their children, it can actually hurt the child and can be considered unconstitutional.
Authors being banned from their right to Freedom of Speech because parents cannot accept what they say. 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 teachers require their students to read in class, because some parents also do not allow their child to watch or access certain television shows or websites....
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.
The first amendment of the U.S. Constitution states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances (Buchanan).” With the banning and the challenging of books all over the U.S. I believe that our first amendment is being jeopardized. We should be allowed to read whatever we want to read it is our right according to the first amendment in the U.S. Constitution with freedom of speech.
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.
Coatney, Sharon. "Banned Books: A School Librarian's Perspective." Time. Time Inc., 22 Sept. 2000. Web. 11 Mar. 2014.
Staff, Wire Reports. (2002 October 3). Book banning spans the globe. The Houston Chronicle, pp.C14. Retrieved December 2, 2002 from Lexis-Nexis/Academic database.
The concept of power has been a central question since the formation of human society and we should first look at what its meaning is in a discussion of power. Power can be most simply defined as the ability for someone to get what they want. Power in society can be further divided into “power over," "power to" and "power with”. “Power over” is the ability to hold power over another group or individual in which the one who holds power can influence their actions or behaviour. “Power to” refers to one’s own abilities and resources which allows them to achieve certain goals with their own power.