The Controversy Of Book Banning

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Book banning is a severely demanding issue in the US. In 2022, 2541 different titles were attempted to be banned; there has been a 60% increase in book banning since 2023. Book banning would, for one, affect people who want to read the books that are being banned, but does the thought that book banning can affect children's mental health and knowledge ever seem relevant and applicable? Books being banned can affect children all over the world and compromise the jobs of librarians and media specialists. Book banning has been an ongoing issue since 1637, but only recently has there been a bigger fight towards the end of this problem. The first book ever banned was a novel published by Thomas Morton, that was deemed as too harsh to the puritan …show more content…

Birc is an Africana and African studies librarian at the University of Connecticut, she believes that book banning is wrong and over-normalized, she wrote a credible article to show her point of view in the process of stopping book banning. Her article demonstrates the way book banning is overlooked in America. “When we have conversations about book banning, we focus our attention on the tangible object- the books. We have displays of objects which have been challenged or banned. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a banned book display or program about the people intended to be harmed by the restriction of access to literature. And get that is really what book banning is intended to do- to disrupt the transference of knowledge,ideas and info between the people” (Birc). Book banning restricts people from learning their true potential, not having access to certain topics is not beneficial to the human brain. There isn’t enough awareness for book banning because it seems like such a mundane issue that should be irrelevant to society, but it really does impact everyone, and especially the youth of …show more content…

If the youth of today aren't given the correct resources that you could find in “controversial” books, to help their brain develop and flourish, who knows where the United States can end up as a whole? In order for adolescents to be able to grow and mature, they must not be sheltered and be able to try new things in life. They must be exposed to how the world really works and what goes into it, like all the racial, sexuality, and political topics. Not everything is perfect, but that doesn't mean it should be shelved and hidden. Why should the negativity of a novel and its “inappropriate features” be seen and misunderstood, when it could have so many benefits? Arlene Lavarde is a New York librarian who wrote an article about the determination of librarians in the US. “Their unwavering dedication and passion as well as their commitment to the access of diverse literature and information make me proud to be counted among them” (Lavarde (Librarian)). If Librarians and Media Specialists are actively working and collaborating to change this issue, it can be done, when one person stands up and tries to solve a problem, it can inspire others. If even just one person is inspired and joins in on the fight for book banning being stopped, then the problem will get a little less dense. Just one person being inspired by this movement can create a chain, and then the cycle can continue. At

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