Vonnegut's Argument Against Banning Books

The 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." Even though books may influence young minds with negative thinking, society shouldn’t ban books because it prohibits learning and it violates the First Amendment in the Constitution. Banning books takes away the author’s right, some books can be very educational, and it takes away the children’s choice of what they get to read.
When authors write books, the books are meant to be read not banned. Authors write books to be read, so when schools and other facilities are banning books it’s taking away the author’s right. In the letter, I am Very Real written by author Kurt Vonnegut, he states “If you were to bother to read my books, to behave as educated persons would, you would learn that they are not sexy, and do not argue in favor of wildness of any kind. They beg that people be kinder and more responsible than they often are.” This excerpt from the text states that the author doesn’t write books to teach cruel things. Vonnegut writes books in a kind manner with the idea that people become more

responsible towards their own actions. Authors have the right to create and publish whatever they decide to publish for individuals to read. In schools or other facilities banning books without reading them limits what the author has to say or wants to put out in the world.
Some banned books can be very educational.

In the article 10 Reasons for Banning Books and 5 Much Better Reasons not to, it states that the books teach us vocabulary, history, and new ways of thinking. “Every year I receive at least a dozen invitations to be commencement speaker at colleges and high schools. My books are probably more widely used in schools than those of any other living American fiction writer.”-excerpt from Kurt Vonnegut’s letter. Books are known for their choice of complex vocabulary. We use non-fictional books to learn about real events in history. Non-fictional books and articles show children a new way of thinking. Many books are used in an educational

way.
If schools had made the decision to ban books without anyone’s consent, children’s choice of books in their libraries would be very limited. Children have the right to select their own book to read, even if society accumulates the wrong idea from the book. In the letter, I am Very Real written by Kurt Vonnegut, Vonnegut states “…to expose your children to all sorts of opinions and information, in order that they will be better equipped to make decisions and to survive.” This excerpt from the letter means that taking away children’s privilege to select their own book is wrong. With the material inside of novels, children can learn new things and become a smarter person. Banning books from children hurts their capability to learn valuable information.
In conclusion, banning books takes away the author’s right, some books can be very educational, and it takes away the children’s choice of what they want to read. “The freedom to express ourselves as we see— is guaranteed by the First Amendment in the Constitution, ensuring the freedom to express one's opinion even if it’s considered unpopular.” So don’t judge a book by it’s cover.