...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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...Holy Bible has been banned in 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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...hands is my favorite book , when i realized other people's cant have their favorite book in their hands the hard copy .Others can’t read their adored book because the books are banned or censored just because others dislike or disagree .Book banning and censorship has been a big deal all around the states . Google says censorship is “the suppression or prohibition of any parts of books, films, news, etc. that are considered obscene, politically unacceptable, or a threat to security.” I believe censorship and banned books should not be required in some books for instance Alice and the adventure Wonderland have no reasonable reason to be...
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...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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...by conditions black women put up with and what life can be like when you are abused. In The Color Purple ,by Alice Walker, tackles the subject of sexism in communties. The first amendment does issue the fact that women's rights should be their and that everyone has the freedom, and that we all have quality The Color Purple written by Alice Walker should not be banned, through various arguments. Some including that it is an honest depiction of African-American life in the early 20th century, it addresses child abuse issues, rape, that still need to be addressed in our society, and because the freedom of speech is a constitutional right. The Color Purple was banned due to explicit language, sexual content, and racist stereotypes. Although, you would think the banning of the book is very difficult or hard but it is actually simple. There are two different ways to get a book removed, either banning or challenging. Banning a book is the removal no matter what. A Challenged book is when its an attempt to remove or restrict materials based of a person or group of people. A challenge is just to restrict it Cathcart 2 from schools, as to ban removal completely. Books are usually challenged or banned for best intentions of others and to protect. “ If all mankind minus one, were of one opinion, and only one person were of the contrary opinion, mankind would be no more justified in...
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...Matthew Nemetz Media and Society Monday, June 18, 2012 5 Banned Books The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain was banned for the protection of children in 1885 in The Concord Public Library, and in 1902 in The Brooklyn Public Library. Esther Lombardi said that the language of the book was objected to on social grounds, and derogatory meanings such as “slave or servant.” I don’t agree with the banning of the book because I grew up reading the book in school as a requirement and it was educational. Aside from slang terms and derogatory language, Huckleberry Finn is a part of adolescent history. The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown was banned for religious and political reasons on September 16th, 2004. According to Austin Cline “it depicted Christ marrying Mary Magdalene and fathering a child.” I don’t agree with the banning of The Da Vinci Code because the novel is a fictional plot that doesn’t reflect reality. Dan brown also didn’t depict actual history in the plot so it doesn’t refute religion. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley was banned by the Board of Curriculum in Seattle schools, and in schools in Glen Burnie for sexual content. According to Alexandra Petri “in Glen Burnie the issue was too much sexual content in Seattle, there were complaints of racially offensive or derogatory language, misinformation, and stereotypes.” I do not agree with the banning of a Brave New World because it is a depiction of a society through Huxley’s fictional and creative perspective...
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...The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn should not be banned in public schools despite its use of racial slurs because it not only challenges the reader with such a controversial topic but shows the prevalence of racism in that era. The novel’s fictionalization of the south makes it more enriching as it brings a sense of realism to the novel. This novel is a beneficial teaching tool for students learning about racism in America so banning it would impair students’ learning of the south in this era. Many historical concepts of race are displayed throughout the novel, giving it more historical context than just slavery. The underlying reason for the push for the ban is because many parents are concerned about their child well-being while reading....
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... The first indication that kids need more from the adults in their lives is obvious by the way the adults portrayed in the books. For fans of Dav Pilkey’s Captain Underpants books, most children, could not expect this children book to make number one of the most challenged book of 2012. Dav Pilkey’s Captain Underpants has been frequently banned due to concerns over subject matter, slang/ bad grammar and dangerous amount of laughter. The subject of censorship is a very controversial one, especially banning books in school library of it content. Most people believe they must protect children from the evils of many classic...
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...Mark Twain’s novel, Huckleberry Finn, has been very controversial ever since it has been published. There are some who believe that the novel should be banned from schools because of Twain’s use of the “n” word. Others believe that it is an American classic that is considered one of the greatest works of American literature which should be allowed in schools. I believe Huckleberry Finn should not be banned in schools because Mark Twain uses accurate dialect of the 19th century south. Also, the novel depicts the problems and issues that deal with slavery that everyone who reads it can learn from. Huckleberry Finn consist of accurate dialect of the early 19th century when slavery was still legal. Twain gives different dialects to different characters based off of their character and their role in the South. For example, Huck uses contractions and misplaced words when he says “what’s the use you learning to do right, when it’s troublesome to do right and ain’t no trouble to do wrong, and the wages is just the same?” (Huckleberry Finn, pg 91), and when Jim says “Goodness gracious, is dat you, Huck? En you ain’ dead-you ain’ drownded-you’s back ag’in?” (Huckleberry Finn, pg 83). Huck’s dialect falls along the typical dialect of the South while Jim’s...
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...Seminar in Academic Inquiry: Banned Books LST 100-05 Nicolette Ford Fall, 2012 “I attest that I have not consulted my notes nor used any electronic resources except for my word processor in the completion of this exam.” 1. Select one of the texts that we have discussed in class, and identify one or two elements of it that would cause it to be challenged in schools and libraries. Then, argue whether those elements justify banning. In the book Fahrenheit 451, there are many elements that would be considered inappropriate for schools and libraries. Some of these elements include violent behavior. For example, when the firemen burn the woman and her books, while the woman is still alive. Many people think this is gruesome and unnecessary. In my opinion, it makes the book that much stronger. The element of violence in this book does not justify banning. I believe the book holds such a strong meaning and banning it for something that only makes it stronger is ridiculous. 2. Select one of the texts that we have discussed in class, and identify one or two elements of it that would cause it to be challenged on religious grounds. Then, argue whether those elements justify banning. One of the texts that we have discussed in class is The Handmaid’s Tale. I think this is a good example of a book being challenged on religious grounds for many reasons. In the novel we are put into this world where woman have no rights, we learn that this world began by...
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...Some parents even go as far as to banning books for their controversial content. Books such as The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie has been banned from many high schools. The story is about Arnold Spirit Jr. who lives on the Spokane Indian Reservation and endures many challenges while searching for hope. Although The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian remains banned from some high school for its “unsuitable content,” it should actually be added to the curriculum instead. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian should not be banned for it’s positive messages. In the chapter “How To Fight Monsters,” Junior stands up to Roger who had been bullying him: “Did you know that Indians are living proof that n****** f*** buffalo?...that was the most racist thing I’d ever heard in my life...So I punched Roger in the face...I felt brave all of a sudden...I was telling the world I was no longer a human target.” (Alexie64-65). Teens should be able to read this book in school because it reveals an inspiring story of how a weak boy with health deficiencies overcomes a larger worldwide problem: Bullying. Maybe violence isn’t always the answer but what is there to make of the situation when another option of salvation isn’t given. Banning this book would deprive young readers from an encouraging and uprising novel. Many people argue that The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian should indeed be banned in high schools for its violent content...
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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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...Book Banning I stand here today to address is the issue of book banning in school libraries. The American Association of School Administrators (AASA) defines censorship as: “The removal, suppression, or restricted circulation of literary, artistic, or educational materials… of images, ideas, and information…on the grounds that there are morally or otherwise objectionable in light of standards applied by the censor”Though parents may choose to discuss what their children are exposed to the idea of removing it from access to the public is absurd. By removing books from school libraries concerned members of society are now limiting children and their potential to expand their horizons. I firmly believe everyone has the right to be exposed to knowledge. By limiting the literature that a young mind is exposed to limits the ability to understand and become open minded. On that note I understand that some books should not be hand to children until they have the mental capacity to comprehend the language and the meaning behind some books as not to see these books as simple stories or to be taken literally. I understand that people have reasons for their censors but it does not mean they are always right. There are four motivational factors that may lie behind a censor’s actions. Those factors are family values, religion, political views, and minority rights. On the basis of family values, the censor is usually threatened by changes in accepted traditional ways of life. They view sexual...
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...Fanny Hill was banned for containing offensive and vulgar language as well as detailing the less than glamorous life of a prostitute. The tradition of removing books from schools for their questionable content has carried on into the twenty first century with the banning of several extremely popular books such as Harry Potter, for its use of witchcraft as a key plot point, The Hunger Games, for its graphic descriptions of children slaying one another on live television, and even the widespread elementary boy’s books Captain Underpants, for its use of bathroom humor frequently throughout the series. Not only these books, but also beloved classics such as The Scarlett Letter, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Grapes of Wrath, and The Great Gatsby have all been removed from the curriculum of many schools in order to shelter students from the taboo topics they discuss, such as racial prejudice, adultery, and alcoholism. Many concerned Americans have begun to wonder whether or not the government should have the power to control what students read and believe that censorship goes against the very foundations of our nation. While the United States Constitution does clearly state that “Congress shall make no law… abridging the freedom of speech or of the press”, does that apply to even the most explicit sexual and racial content? The issue had been consistently justified by courts cases involving racism and violence that many concerned parents believe are caused by these books. Compromise is...
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...Banning a book is never acceptable; books are a product of their environment, and readers can learn much about a time period in history and the literary influences from books, even if the language/content is not acceptable in our contemporary time period. Despite some of the language used in Huckleberry Finn, it should not be banned. Instead, the language used should be frankly discussed as to why it was included in the book, and the implications it had on the past and has on the present. The nature of the book is satire, and this is important for readers to realize so that they do not narrowly assume that Twain himself was racist (even if he was), or that anyone who reads the book will be racist. Of course, in contemporary society, the language...
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