...eight year old son come back from school with the book The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, he had been waiting for it for a week, until somebody finally returned it from the library. So you start reading it with him, you think that the book is fine, until your start seeing racist words, why does your eight year old child have this book in his hands, why is it within his reach? Book banning in schools has recently became a hot topic, some people think that some books should be censored or removed from schools. We do not want children reading books that have violence and swearing in them. Some books have violence and inappropriate content in them, others contain profanity and racism, a child's impressionable mind should not be exposed to stuff like that. Book banning should be allowed in schools to protect children from inappropriate content. Children's minds can be effected very easily, so why can they read books...
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...Banning books is like crushing the open doorways to beautiful, alternate universes. Books are useful and entertaining tools that can be used to introduce all opinions to the children, teens, and adults reading them. Restricting a book or book series from a public library or school not only neglects to expose children to those new ideas, but it also infringes on the natural rights of the author. These types of books can be used as a convenient learning to as well. Depriving people of these experiences and learning opportunities is wrong. To begin, books can be used to expose children, teens, and adults to new ideas. Exposure to things such as swearing can help a child to form his or her own opinions, therefore developing their personality and the kind of person they want to be. Some books show all different realities that some people were forced to live or live that reality by choice. According to the article “Common Reasons for Banning Books” some books are restricted because they encourage damaging lifestyles included “Drug use, co-habitations without marriage, or homosexuality.” When elements like these are included, it is to promote a...
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...Did you know that, according to the American Library Association, over 11,300 books have been challenged or banned since the year 1982? Just from this one fact, you can tell that the banning of books and novels across America is a thing that has been happening for many years. Unfortunately, parents, boards, administrations, government representatives, patrons, pressure groups, and more, are all factors that push for the banning and dismissal of certain books that they find fault in. The banning of books is challenged in places like schools, school libraries, and public libraries, mainly the places that are accessible to by youth and adolescents. Represented by upset parents, government officials, and religious groups, this is an issue that...
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...Adam smith once said, “To feel much for others and little for ourselves; to restrain our selfishness and exercise our benevolent affections, constitute the perfection of human nature.” Even we, as people, have never seen this quote before I think we all believe in it one way or the other. That’s why books are always being challenged to be banned in order to protect human nature. We do not want to see the negative effects of the books being read by adolescences. That is why many people considered banning books to be a benevolent act rather than an act of hate. Often books that are banned are considered to have racial themes, too violent, or can be damaging to lifestyles. I’m sure that in your lifetime you have read a book or two with and extremely...
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...While some people may think that the banning of books could be a good thing and also do not want their children to read mature things, it is a fact that those who do not know history are bound to repeat it again and most of history is of falling of kingdoms and mass killings, so to you who doesn't want books that "put a bad name on certain people" would you rather not see such things or run the risk of committing such atrocities again. Contrary readers read about the life of the author of Night by Elie Wiesel and learn that they should speak out about things and feel a deeper connection to the topic and will probably be more prone to speak out about...
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...someone that you cannot read a certain book, you would ultimately want to read the book in spite of the person who had told you that you could not. However, what if you had no idea someone was preventing you from reading a certain book, and because of them you would never be exposed to the ideas that are presented in this book? This idea is not something that people consider as they go through the syllabus for their English class, or browse through their local library. Students, and residents of a town simply take what is presented in front of them instead of acknowledging that some books are likely missing. Lauren Myracle, an author who had a book that was facing removal has a really interesting viewpoint,...
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...Many books have been written with open minded opinions describing some of the events that occur on a day to day basis. There are even some books that have shaped and America and have created the foundation to American Literature that have been banned. Everyone should be able to read about various situations even if it’s alarming and shows the reality of life itself, they would rather not to share the harsh reality of life or any mature content such as violence. In order to embrace the truth of life itself, you must be knowledgeable on the things that go on or have occurred. Books should not be banned, everyone should be able to read about various situations even if it’s alarming and shows the reality of life itself. Everyone should be able...
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...argument about whether certain books should be banned in schools or not. Banning books leaves out topics that kids in upper grades should be able to see. Another arguing point is the question of who decides what books should be banned in schools. Another point that is often brought up is freedom of speech. Books should only be banned from schools in specific cases as it keeps books away from upper grades, brings the question of “who decides?” and is against freedom of speech. Kids in upper grade levels have a right to be able to see the banned content as it shows them new things and broadens their horizons. Banning a book keeps kids in upper grades who have most likely have been exposed to these subjects and already have a solid opinion on the matter away from learning more on the subject. Keeping kids away from these subjects also keeps kids who have not been exposed to the subjects in these banned books from learning about it and seeing it in writing, which in turn keeps them from receiving and developing an opinion which will work to their disadvantage later in life when the subject comes up. Banning books also keeps...
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...several public and school libraries in the United States. Banning books started as early as 399 B.C. and still happens today. When a book is challenged, it is sent to the library, where it is decided if the book should be banned from that library or remain on the shelf. It should not be allowed to ban a book in a public or school library. There are too many books that might offend someone to ban them all. In fact, according to the American Library Association, Americans have challenged more than 11,300 books since 1982. This is far too many. Furthermore, according to a Pew Research survey, 59% of Americans think that “too many people are easily offended.” If everybody...
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...October 2012 Banning Books Portraying Violence How much can a book that portrays violence affect a high school student? It can affect a student in many ways. In fact, it has more impact when a student reads a book that portrays violence than violent video games or movies. Rebecca Dawkins’s essay “Why Banning Books Isn’t Always Bad” discusses how many “concerned group of parents regularly pressure school boards to keep controversial classics out of the classroom” because of the violence and immoral values they portray for underage students. Books like “Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann (about three young women who abuse drugs to escape the pressures of show business); The Godfather by Mario Puzo (about the Italian-American mafia); and In Cold Blood by Truman Capote (about two real-life mass murderers)” are what should be kept out of high schools because those types of books for students who are exposed to the everyday dangers of drugs, gangs, and violence in schools make it seem okay in these books. Dawkins goes further on explaining how many high school teachers, including herself, agree with parents in the sense that these books are not age appropriate to be taught in a high school classroom especially in a setting where all of these issues are present everyday. I totally agree with Rebecca Dawkins that high school students would not relate to most characters in controversial books, teachers have no time to teach long controversial books, and books such as Capote’s...
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...Imagine a world where the government seeks power by silencing the ideas of its people by banning their books .Some may say this is the world we live in. Related to book banning is literary merit defined, as a high quality of writing including drama poetry and prose. Author of the howl, Walter Van Tilburg Clark is famous for his definition of literary merit. He states “The only final test, it seems to me, of literary merit, is the power to endure”. Others may call it "standing the test of time". Book banning in America is the restriction of a book to a certain group of people for the purpose of censoring specific material. Often the material is that, that has been declared dangerous and unfit for young children American Library Association promotes the freedom to choose or the freedom to express one's opinions despite the controversy from the book. On the contrary the act of banning a certain book can cause an uproar as well. Many will go as far to say...
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...When most people hear about book banning, they think of libraries across the country clearing their shelves of books thought to be taboo or problematic. While that once was a problem in the United States, book banning has taken a tactical, less obvious form of censorship and it is mostly in schools. It’s not a stranger to anyone that middle and high schools have required reading lists that name several books students will have to read for the academic school year. The books can range from anything to everything and are often stock packed with various themes, lessons, and messages. However, plenty of parents feel that certain ideas should not be taught to their children, especially when the ideas conflict with their own personal beliefs and...
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...In the mid-1960's, a Free Speech Movement took place led by student protesters insisting that university administration lift the ban of on-campus political activities and acknowledge the students' right to free speech and academic freedom. 50 years later and it seems as if little progress has been made. Every person has their own opinions and these opinions can be expressed in several different ways. Vocally expressing one’s views cannot be repressed for once the words are spoken, they cannot be retracted. Books can be removed; music can be banned; movie production can be halted – but these art forms are in no way different from verbal expression. These forms of art are the author’s own way of bringing personal ideas and opinions to the public...
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...Banned Book Essay The community should have some power in choosing the books that the students reads, unless they are independent reading books.However, the school should have the final say in the books that students read. The community should have some say because they have to pay taxes so that public schools can stay open. Also, the school should have the final say because they are trained to teach the students, and know what is best for the students. Finally, the students should choose their independent reading books because they are the ones who are reading the books, and because they are more likely to enjoy them if they choose the books for themselves. In the end, the community has the right to choose the books students read, but the school has the final say, unless it is a private, independent reading book. The community should have some say in what the students read because they have to pay taxes so that the public schools can stay open. They are the ones who are “buying the books”. According to an article in the LA Times by Michael Schaub, Mary So Finney says, “It has been 10 long years that I have worked to get this district to be more accountable to parents with safeguards and standards,...
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...Finn: Comparing and Contrasting the Controversies Surrounding Banning Books The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, deemed one of the great American novels, was published by Mark Twain in 1884. From the start, this novel has sparked a lot of negative criticism. There were heated debates among critics, and in schools debating whether or not to ban this controversial piece of literature. In today's society, this book still offends sensitive readers, because it was written in a time when people were not sensitive to the plight of African Americans. Just a month after it was published, The Concord, library in Massachusetts banned all copies stating that it was “Not suitable for trash.” (Ruta1) It was believed, that racism was at the heart of this book, and the content was, and still viewed as being harsh. Louisa May Alcott was a popular author who served on the very first library committee in Massachusetts, where The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn was banned. She voted against this book from being sold, read or viewed. Criticizing Mark Twain saying that "Huck should not sweat. He should perspire." (Ruta1) Other libraries began removing their copies stating that it is inappropriate for children to read. The number of concerned citizens continue to debate on this subject today. Derogatory words are seen throughout this story in reference to showcase the difference between the two classes, white verses black. This book not only celebrates an unlikely friendship between these...
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