Countries worldwide actively call for the banning of books that are found to be politically inconvenient, religiously awkward, or embarrassing in one form or another. But for writers like Russia's Vasily Grossman, a book's ban means far more than just a dip in sales. In 1961, he pleaded with the Soviet censors, "I am physically free, but the book to which I have dedicated my life is in jail." (Merkelson). A book represents an idea, thus limiting access to a book is banning the representation of an idea. The banning of books in American schools should not be allowed, because banning books will prevent students from learning the reason for the controversy and alternate viewpoints they can come to on their own. 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... ... middle of paper ... ... Controls Ideology." Libricide: The Regime-Sponsored Destruction of Books and Libraries in the Twentieth Century. Westport, CT: Praeger Publishers, 2003. 236-238. Rpt. in Book Banning. Ed. Ronnie D. Lankford. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2007. At Issue. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 24 Mar. 2014. Seesholtz, Mel. "Homophobia Is at the Root of Many Book Banning Efforts." Book Banning. Ed. Thomas Riggs. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2012. At Issue. Rpt. from "Teaching Bigotry and Hate: Lessons from the Christian Reich." Online Journal. 2006. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 24 Mar. 2014. 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.
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.
Books that have shaped America are slowly starting to disappear. Many of the previous social norms have fallen out of fashion, and because of this reason numerous books are beginning to become banned. Blasphemy, racism, sex, and violence are all ethical reasons for books to be censored.
Books are an embodiment of an idea that conflicts with the “norm.” In Fahrenheit 451 and during the 1930’s in Germany, people burn books to eradicate any sources of conflicting ideas of opposition. Both the German’s and Fahrenheit 451 are examples of just how important freedom of speech really is. They show us a world without it, and neither are viewed in a very positive
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.
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...
Every year in the United States we have books being banned and challenged by many people who do not like the contents of books. When researching for this argument essay I found an article written by Rebecca Hagelin. Rebecca Hagelin is the author of Home Invasion: Protecting Your Family in a Culture That’s Gone Stark Raving Mad and the vice president of communications and marketing at the Heritage Foundation (Lankford).
The article states,“Is it necessary to ban books? Each person answers these questions differently. This is the core of the problem for educators. Books can be found offensive for many reasons. Men John Steinbeck. Reason: Profanity Go Ask Alice Anonymous, Reason; Drug use, sexual situations, profanity A Day No Pigs Would Die Robert Newton Peck, Reason: Depiction of pigs mating and being slaughtered.” Books are being banned for the inappropriate/explicit use of content in the books and parents are complaining that they don’t want their kids to read these books. "Choose the books you use wisely. Make sure that they fit nicely into your curriculum you should have evidence which you can present that books you are using are necessary for the student".
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.
When regulating the content that someone sees or hears, it is the sole responsibility of the individual to block harmful or offensive content from themselves or their children. In an article by Dan Gutman, a children’s book author, he states that if a piece of literature is banned from a school library, it is not only blocke...
Retrieved December 2, 2002 from Lexis-Nexis/Academic database. This article addresses some of the reasons that censors attempt to remove books from the curriculum: Many censors feel that works are not age appropriate for students. Staff, Wire Reports. (2002 October 3). Book banning spans the globe.
When it comes to school censorship, many people think about book banning. Indeed, book banning has always been a problem in schools and continues into modern times. As mentioned, book banning has been a...
Books allow authors to express their thoughts, teach generations, and entertain the world with remarkable nonfictional and fictitious stories from the past, present, and future. Each story has its own ability to expand a reader’s knowledge and create a world full of possibilities and imagination. However, there is a thin line between what books are acceptable and inappropriate in the American education system, causing many books to be challenged. Book censoring is an act that removes offensive materials from circulation, which creates confrontations and curriculum modifications in American schools. To understand the purpose of book censorship and its impact on American education, this essay will examine why books are challenged in schools and
What is a book? A written work consisting of pages glued on or sewed together? It is much more complex than that, a book is a portal to the world of imagination, and of reality, in which we tend to use as some sort of a “gateway” object. Unfortunately, there are some influential books that aren’t really “public material,” so they took action for the rejection of these books. Now there are “legitimate” reasons for these rejections towards books, but none of them provide sufficient support for the cause of rejection. Most people, or organizations restrict these books due to the fact that they contain violence, use of profanity, fictional characters, or even because the character doesn’t listen to his/her parents. Of course, they’re afraid that
The censoring of books and other literatures in schools by parents is a common thing, even in the United States, where the freedom within the law protects the educator’s judgment of their professional standards, meaning schools should be trusted to practice their rights to choose which materials may or may not be used in children’s learning environment. Schools already censor materials that are deemed not suitable for young students; school books should not be used to push ideological positions, they should be used to teach children the truth and expose them to ideas that will expand their knowledge, not by influencing them, but by making them understand.
The librarian would not want a book about how to be a terrorist in the school library. Banning books from school libraries does not mean you can’t write and publish a certain book, it means that the school don’t want that book in the school libraries. Certain book provides encouragement of damaging lifestyles. There are books out there that contained sexual materials and inappropriate dialogues. The materials in some of the books are unsuited to certain age groups. Moreover, some books violate racial themes and ethics. People who disagree would say that banning books violates the First amendment, and it’s anti-education. You still can read those books, but outside of school. School libraries should be allowed to have a list of banned books