Book Banning: A Violation of Rights, or a Protection of Standards?

 

        Did you know that 57% of all book banning are brought about by parents? Banning books and censorship has been a controversial topic for many years. There are those who are for censorship, and believe the removal of books with inappropriate content is vital. On the other hand, there are those who believe the censorship of books is wrong and a violation of rights. But what is book banning, anyways, and how does it affect readers?

 

        Books are a great source of knowledge. They can take you to faraway places, or even teach you something new. Unfortunately, sometimes books contain topics that can be inappropriate for students. This often results in a challenge. Since 2009, about 11,300 books have been challenged (which means someone has a book that they believe contains something wrong or inappropriate). Eventually a school board will decide whether or not it is right to keep this questioned book in the view students. Most books become banned this way.

 

        Famous books have been sometimes banned. For example, classic book Huckleberry Finn has been known to hold one of the highest rates of banning. Parents felt that the book’s depiction of African americans was wrong and felt the main character was racist. They felt students should not read Mark Twain’s esteemed book. Popular YA series Harry Potter has been questioned for its themes of witchcraft and sorcery. The debate over freedom of knowledge and protection continue even today.

 

        The importance of protection in today’s society has never been higher for parents. Parents are in charge of defining what is acceptable for their children to read, even going to extremes to keep inappropriate information from young minds. Apparently the attitude of the American Literature Association is that parents may only control what their own children read (manning). He or she does not have the right to request books to be removed from public places. The books that parents challenge usually contain foul language, violence, drinking, drugs, suicide, and even witchcraft. Between 1990 and 2012, about 70% of book baninngs were in classrooms or school library. The other 30% took place in public libraries as well as other locations. Author Erin Manning said, “We are in a time on cultural divide” on the topic of bans.  Parents believe that they can no longer expect librarians and teachers to share an equal concern for the appropriation of books, and therefore feel they are forced to act against the teachers. Parents mean to protect their children, sometimes resorting to extremes to make sure their children are safe.

 

         On the other hand, there are people who believe knowledge should be free to everyone and that book banning is wrong. Don Gallo, who is an English professor at CCSU, wrote “I don't believe you can be an effective teacher of literature without being a bold thinker.” His stance is that books with bolder topics are great for the human mind. Author of the banned book, Bridge to Terabithia, Katherine Paterson agreed with Mr. Gallo. “Books can be a sort of rehearsal for life situations. They can also help you know and understand people quite different from yourself.” Banning books is also a restriction to knowledge. A student that wishes to read, say, Malala Yousafzai's memoir will likely NOT be allowed to do so, as the memoir is banned in 40,000 schools for its portrayal of Pakistani values (TheGuardian).

 

        In a study by Psychologist Christopher Ferguson of Stetson University, there were no negative effects on students from reading banned books. The study found students were more likely to be empathetic and were more likely to be involved with civic activities (PSmag). Those against the banning of books believe it isn’t a practice meant for protection, that instead it keeps students in the dark.

 

        Those who are for banning, against,or are just learning of the practice are aware of the possible consequences attached to banning. whether or not books are available depends on the readers themselves. Books affect us all, how they do so relies on you.

 

Works Cited

 

Manning, Erin. "Parents Must Protect Children from Offensive Material in Books." Book Banning. Ed. Thomas Riggs. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2012. At Issue. Rpt. from "It's Not Censorship, It's Parenting!" MercatorNet. 2009. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 30 Apr. 2015.

 

Gallo, Don. "Teens Need Bold Books." Book Banning. Ed. Thomas Riggs. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2012. At Issue. Rpt. from "Censorship, Clear Thinking, and Bold Books for Teens." English Journal 97.3 (Jan. 2008). Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 30 Apr. 2015.