On the other hand, some people argue that book censorship is a violation of their constitutional right to freedom of speech, and the right to self expression. One article puts its effects this way, “Permitting restraints on literature sets the stage for attacks on all expression that is artistically or politically controversial or that portray unpleasant realities of life.” This,
Banning the book is not merely because of ethical reasons, but more for political reasons. It is necessary to understand the violent issue to avoid it from being repeated. This is evident in the article titled "Books on Violence and Bullying Can Help Teens Develop Empathy" when the author notes that "For life, even at its darkest, can hold the promise of hope and positive change—especially when we read about it with open minds and hearts, with intellectual attention and emotional empathy" (Cart). Reading books that contain violence can bring attention, positive changes to the society and the issue. Whereas, ignoring the issue has never solved anything. Violence in literature could encourage further open discussion concerning the nature of it, thus preparing individuals for the real
The main reason for the banning of this novel is because of the profanity according to NCAC. NCAC states that this novel has " been challenged or banned due to objections to profanity." Therefore this novel should be banned from high schools and libraries. The use of profanity causes a sense of disproportion for the youthful minds reading this publication.
First, the author argues, “When engaging in critical literacy, readers question reality and entertain multiple perspectives about particular topics, attitudes, and behaviors” (Graff). Challenged and banned books are beneficial to readers. These banned books help students evaluate more difficult pieces of literature, which could be used in the future. Jennifer Graff states, “...Book censorship helps us think critically about the power of the written word as well as the relationships between individuals, texts, and contexts, to paraphrase Lawrence Sipe (1999)” (Graff). Banned and challenged books allow readers to see the truth--from the past, future, or present--written by the author. Readers can apply these ideas to real-life situations successfully. In the article, On Reading and Sharing Banned Books, the topic of “...heightened sensitivity about what and how we say things,” and needing, “ongoing conversations about how literature can be part of our lives without undue stress and controversy” is exposed (Graff). Books are written for many reasons, to inform persuade, entertain, and relax; however, with books censorship, finding relaxing or entertaining books is extremely difficult. Without censorship, readers could easily discuss these now controversial topics without worry. The purpose of the book, good moral, and potentially
One of the reasons the book got banned/challenged for is because of violence. The book does have multiple violent parts in it, but you have to remember, it is a war bashed book, it’s meant to
Many parents seek to have children’s literature which contains violence removed or banned from all access to young children. They complain that the subject matter of these books is too much for children to handle. The parents do this as they believe it to be a form of protection from the dangerous world we live in. they know all too well that what is expressed in the books is happening in reality.by reading these violent books it evokes a sense of fear or the need to harm oneself or others. Therefore stopping the chance of them reading these books is shielding them from the hurt and pain which it is associated with. Literature and media are the main reasons for violence in the
Although the book was challenged nearly seventeen years ago, the school district suffers their own form of injustice in today’s community; problems that would have impacted the challenging even more, are just now being brought to the surface. The hate crimes were no different, these acts of violence and intolerance put the safety of the high school on the line. One day a student found a swastika drawn in a bathroom of Paul Schreiber high school, students in the community don’t tolerate that kind of behavior “hate does not represent who were are, or who we are meant to be as a community,” (McAtee 1). The book being challenged was the board’s way of deflecting these kinds of actions from happening, ultimately they happen anyway. Just last year, a bomb threat was made at the local high school. The bomb threat was notified and police increased to safely watch the schools in the area. It was classified as an “unconfirmed and unrealistic” bomb threat, but nonetheless, the police came to protect anyway. The students don’t want this kind of behavior in their schools as well as board members. The Board was not just looking at the time of the present, but wanted to ensure the safety of the students that had yet to come. Banning a book does not change what goes on outside the pages of a book.Violence is in everyday society, there’s no stopping
The Catcher in the Rye. The Scarlet Letter. Huckleberry Finn. Harry Potter. The Diary of Anne Frank. Animal Farm. To Kill a Mockingbird. The Da Vinci Code. The Grapes of Wrath. These literary classics have been vital to the education of many, especially children and adolescents (Banned Books). These great novels both teach important values and educate children about world affairs and classic themes. Unfortunately, each of these novels has been banned at one point in time. In a country where freedom is so adamantly advocated, it is a wonder that an issue like censorship would even come up, that such a controversy would sink its claws into the minds of states’ boards of education across the nation.
They think that matters such as racial themes, alternative lifestyles, profanity, sex, violence, negativity, witchcraft, unpopular religious views, unpopular political views, and basically and theme that is labelled as ‘unsuitable’ for a certain age group should be banned. However, our day-to-day life proves that things like these are unavoidable. 1. “In a media-flooded world, where information travels exactly as fast as your Twitter feed loads, it would take the shield of Captain America to keep the unpleasant facts of reality at bay. And more important, these bullets of candor don’t injure young people. They simply open up their minds, or even offer them something to identify with,” says Jamie Leigh for Punchnel. From driving in your car, listening to the radio, watching TV, walking around your community, one thing is clear – you can’t dodge these topics forever. It’s just part of life. In addition, people may feel as though bad content found in books could encourage bad behavior. Let’s consider violence for example. Violence in the media seems to be a bit of an argument currently going on. 2. According to the Luther College’s article, Does Violence Have a Place in Children’s Literature?, “…this fear and panic rests on the assumption that boys cannot tell the difference between violence in a story and the violence in real life (p. 512).
The act of book banning could prove beneficial to the society because it could keep the students and youth of our culture away from books with a bad influence or things that would not help them in any way, shape, or form. “If a book is deemed offensive, some may argued, that it is promoting ideas which can have a detrimental influence on individuals (often children) and on society as a whole” (Aliprandini, Sprague 2016). This quote proves that those who believe that book banning is a good idea have valid reasons to believe so. Although books should not be banned, there is solid evidence that proves otherwise.
Many significant novels have unfortunately been challenged/ banned at a certain point in time. Most of these literary classics face this because some contain sexual references, religious intolerance, and inappropriate language. In some cases, books are being pulled off shelves because people believe that they were “tangibles of instruction” or the reason being was as a precaution towards a possible public attack which took effect in Tucson for the Mexican American Studies (source:8). Another case is the Mozert v. Hawkins County Board of Education; Christian sewed the board because they believed that the required textbooks hurt their beliefs (Source:8).
The controversial act of banning books in the public school system is hindering children from growing in their intellect and identity. “Schools and Censorship: Banned Books” is an article released by People For the American Way, which explains that American’s were given one basic right and it is one that must be fought for and maintained daily. This is the freedom to express as each individual sees fit. Because of concepts that challenge the level of what is “appropriate” for students, millions are being deprived of powerful works of expression which possess the power to shape students in who they are and who they can become.
Hundreds of books are challenged every year around the United States. A tenth of these are actually censored from many people. Books should not be banned because everyone has the right to read what they want. Parents often monitor their children’s reading, therefore the books do not need to be completely taken away. An example of a book that should not be banned is The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger. Even though The Catcher in the Rye is constantly being challenged for vulgar language and moral issues, it should not be banned, because despite these objections, this book has many life lessons and new perspectives to offer.
“Banning books gives us silence when we need speech. It closes our ears when we need to listen. It makes us blind when we need sight.” When books are banned, it depicts the censors rejecting to view the world with open eyes and see the realities that people face everyday. They are merely closing their eyes like they closed the banned book. Both sides can agree that while these books may contain some material and content that isn’t exactly ideal for young kids to hear, it is stuff they need to hear and be exposed to at some point. Chris Crutcher’s controversial novel, Whale Talk, should not be banned because it teaches children life lessons about overcoming obstacles and adversity, everyday acts of racism, and the importance of forgiveness.
Some people do not realize that they affect the education of their children by banning certain books. The banning of books is banning the author's right to free speech which can hinder the education of Americans. In schools teachers have to worry about what readings they present to their students because they could have any parent coming after them for exposing their children to “heinous” or “bad” things when all it truly is, is literature used to broaden