Reasons for not banning books

We should not ban book regardless of being critical or controversial, said anthony luevano, knowledge is knowledge, and it should not be restricted by someones ideas or standards. In the catcher in the rye, a high school student orders a prostitute to the manhattan hotel room where hes fled after being. In honor of this glorious celebration of our freedom to read what we want, lets pause for a sec and remember there are people out there still trying to take this freedom away for dumb reasons like not wanting their kids to. Banning books seems to be the most public solution for a private matter not everyone should have to suffer restrictions because one group feels uncomfortable with the book. But read my top 5 reasons why you shouldnt, anyway. Oct 01, 2016 how banning books marginalizes children. The banning of individuals in south africa was a practice virtually unique among nations with legal systems derived from roman or commonlaw traditions. Also, we are restricting their right to form their own opinion.

It is a celebration that takes place all around the u. Thirteen reasons why september 17, 2018 betsy gomez 4 comments the most challenged book of 2017 was jay ashers thirteen reasons why, a novel that has been a valuable tool in igniting conversations about suicide, bullying, and consent. No one person or group should decide what should or should not be read. The history of banned books dates back to, as some would argue, over 400 years ago with the publication of thomas mortons new english canaan.

An idea, a scene or a character in the book offends their religion, sense of. There are a lot of reasons why a book can be banned. There are a number of good reasons why no book should be banned, but there are many books which do not deserve to be read. Banning, in south africa, an administrative action by which publications, organizations, or assemblies could be outlawed and suppressed and individual persons could be placed under severe restrictions of their freedom of travel, association, and speech. Isnt it interesting that society has concerns about how people will behave after. Although this may not be the starting point of banning books, it is true to say that the history of book banning has grown in the past 100 years.

Is there is a place for censorship and banning of books. At least, according to the list of banned or challenged books for 2015 that was released by the american library association. When we look at the pros and cons of banning books, we must take a commonsense approach to the subject. Although this may not be the starting point of banning books, it is true to say that the. Since the 1800s, attitudes about which books are appropriate for kids to read have too often suppressed stories about different cultures and life. Banning books solves nothing, and we need to stop now. The depiction of suicide was the primary reason for 2017 challenges. If i could ban 50 shades i would, but being a really crappy book isnt a good enough reason, unfortunately.

Why we want parents to try to ban books the atlantic. There are a few common reasons that books have been banned or censored in schools, libraries, and book stores. Without books, much of todays entertainment would not be the same. Why we should never ban books it starts with coffee. Common reasons for banning books each book that is banned or censored is done so for the content within the pages. Banning books has many negative consequences, as the practice restricts access to significant works. The following were the top three reasons cited for challenging materials as. Scores of books, from to kill a mockingbird to the absolutely true diary of a parttime indian, have been banned for exploring. One of the main reasons is that preventing people from learning about some of the harsh realities of life robs them of the knowledge they need in order to grow.

Dec 11, 2017 while these reasons are mostly legitimate, there is far more danger and harm in holding a book back from someone. This article talked about how the high school was banning books such as song of solomon, siddhartha, the art of racing in the rain just to name a few. Banning was an important tool in the south african governments suppression of those opposed to its policy of apartheid. If you think banning books is ok, im not going to change your mind. Banning certain written works can cause more harm than good to children and young adults. Reasons for banning books banned books libguides at. Parents got together and decided that this was a good idea because god forbid there be a sex scene or a scene in a book that discusses sex. People for the american way foundation is a sponsor of banned books week, an annual celebration of the freedom to read and an opportunity for readers, authors, publishers, booksellers, librarians and first amendment advocates to call for continued vigilance against efforts to censor our words, thoughts, and opinions. Mar 16, 20 if you think banning books is ok, im not going to change your mind. Why your kid should read banned books the washington post.

Content of book encourages lifestyle choices that are not of the norm or could be considered. Its hard to say that children should read certain books in certain grades, but education is not to be feared. During banned books week, classics, such as huckleberry finn, catcher in the rye, to kill a mockingbird, etc. For this reason, banned books week occurs yearly to give readers a chance to revisit past or recently banned books to encourage a fresh look into the controversies the books faced. Lets take a look at ten of those reasons and the books on alas top ten challenged books list for 2017 and previous years that were attacked for these reasons. Oct 07, 2018 not only does banning books limit a students access to knowledge, but it limits their empathy and socioemotional developments. If the content of a book offends you there are more effective ways to deal with your offendedness. Not only does banning books limit a students access to knowledge, but it limits their empathy and socioemotional developments. Why your kid should read banned books common sense media.

Jan 08, 2017 by banning books, we are keeping children from gaining important soft skills that will, without a doubt, help them to make better decisions, and be more productive and more understanding as an adult. People who believe that parents and other adults should be able to remove or ban books from libraries argue that they have the right to decide what material their children are exposed to and when. The top 3 pros and cons of book banning in schools and libraries. This book accurately reproduced wellknown poems and, by simply blacking out a single word, allowed the reader to construct a very different meaning. Not that this is a new development for either of these titles. Book censorship can arise for any number of reasons. Book banning and romance fiction in the united states. At the order of the minister, a person deemed a communist, a terrorist, a member of a banned organization, or otherwise a threat to the security and public order of the state could be confined. Oct 11, 2018 since 1982, roughly 11,300 books have been challenged, according to the american library association. Individuals who do not find the language of the book to be appropriate will seek the book to be banned or censored. They did not want to offend a certain group at the school. A study published by the journal of applied social psychology found that reading j.

Some books are still challenged for those reasonsfifty shades of grey is a common example. Challenges do not simply involve a person expressing a point of view. There are however many valid reasons why books should not be banned. The notsosecret agenda of the ala is to promote antifamily books that feature graphic. Parents have objected to the books profanity, lurid passages about sex, immorality, excessive violence, negativity, communist elements and depiction of alcohol abusecriticisms guaranteed to discourage teenage readers. Jun 21, 2019 nothing was said about the content of the play or the fact that there was a reason it featured only men. Jan 05, 2016 that such filth was a product of the censors own mind, rather than being inherent to the banned text, was brilliantly illustrated by kendall bannings censored mother goose rhymes 1929. Top 10 reasons banning books is a bad idea justine larbalestier. Common reasons for banning books, fort lewis college, john f.

You may not like something, but thats no reason to take it away from everyone. Often books are challenged with good intentions, but according to the free access to libraries for minors, the decision about what is mature is the responsibility of the parents, not the institution. Martin university banning books in school school boards, principals, and teachers have a responsibility for protecting the minds of their students by covering grade and. Books as varied as judy blumes forever, vladimir nabokovs lolita, and maya angelous i know why the caged bird sings have been challenged by parents and school boards who deem certain sexual passages inappropriate for young people. List of frequently asked questions on banned and challenged books.

Sep 28, 2017 banning books like reasons why makes it harder for teens to open up to adults, author says. While these reasons are mostly legitimate, there is far more danger and harm in holding a book back from someone. If you really want people not to read a book, banning it will have the opposite effect. The research examines the who, what, and why of book banning in its preliminary stages and identifies the effects book banning has on different groups and communities. Maya angelous work typically isnt allowed in school due to its subject matter. On page 9, 10 reasons for banning books, and 5 much better reasons not to, states. They can be and usually are conformed to fit a specific case, such as with the harry potter seriesintolerance for religious difference was molded to fit the case by changing into intolerance for anything occultoriented, despite the validity of occult and wiccabased relgions. Nothing was said about the content of the play or the fact that there was a reason it featured only men. For one, the work considered by millions of people around the world has landed at.

No matter the reason, banned books intrigue audiences and tempt readers as soon as they are restricted. But theres been a shift toward seeking to ban books. I dont want to perseverate on controversial issues, but i cant hide from them either. The most challenged book of 2017 was jay ashers thirteen reasons why, a novel that has been a valuable tool in igniting conversations about suicide, bullying, and consent. Works such as its perfectly normal by robie harris and heather has. The magic in a fantasy novel can be construed as antireligious, or the language in a novel can be considered too mature for younger audiences. In the catcher in the rye, a high school student orders a prostitute to the. For one, the work considered by millions of people around the world has landed at number six. And with this in mind, i present to you five better reasons not to ban books. Unlike film or tv, a book is only limited by an authors abilities as a writer.

While schools present reasons for the banning, most of the excuses are absurd. Why banning books is a bad idea diary of a word nerd. One of the biggest is racial themes, seen in sherman alexies the absolutely true diary of a parttime indian and harper lees to kill a mockingbird. The history of banned books is a long one, but one thing studies have consistently shown is that the some popular reasons for banning books includes sexually explicit commentary and not having content deemed suitable for age groups crum, 2014. Many books, such as to kill a mockingbird or catcher in the rye have been banned from many schools.

Sep 18, 2014 so really, what book banning and censorship are all aboutwithin both small communities and at larger, oftgovernmental levelsis personal opinions. It makes the books cry and books are very sensitive. Rowlings harry potter series is frequently challenged for religious concerns about witchcraft, improved attitudes. Books are just as wonderful as art in their own sense and should not be banned because one parent is upset. But theres been a shift toward seeking to ban books focused on issues of diversitythings that. The alas office for intellectual freedom oif receives. Mark twains the adventures of huckleberry finn is no. So really, what book banning and censorship are all aboutwithin both small communities and at larger, oftgovernmental levelsis personal opinions.

You may not like something, but thats no reason to take it. Books banning reasons and the list of popular books banned. Sarah grace goolden opinions editor september 2329 is annually recognized as banned books week. Literary works are still challenged, censored and banned for many different reasons. Its perfectly normal by robie harris aims to answer questions young people have about sex. That such filth was a product of the censors own mind, rather than being inherent to the banned text, was brilliantly illustrated by kendall bannings censored mother goose rhymes 1929. How banning books marginalizes children the atlantic. Amazons bookbanning should be deeply disturbing to anyone who cares about the vibrant political debate essential to our form of government. Common reasons for book banning here are a few of the most commonly cited reasons to ban books. The top three reasons for a removal request are for offensive language, a narrative unsuited to any age group, or content thats sexually explicit. The concept of libraries and schools banning books is being openly opposed by banned books week, a corporation that encourages the banning of books to be banned.

There are many different reasons an institution will ban a book. The common reasons for banning books or censoring certain books are. The not sosecret agenda of the ala is to promote antifamily books that feature graphic. Books are essentially a gateway to another world through written word. There truly is nothing sacred when it comes to banning books. Top 10 reasons banning books is a bad idea justine. Words have power and meaning and shouldnt be tossed away or removed from shelves despite how mature or explicit they can be.

Banning books like reasons why makes it harder for teens to open up to adults, author says. Since 1982, roughly 11,300 books have been challenged, according to the american library association. Sep 25, 2016 some books are still challenged for those reasonsfifty shades of grey is a common example. The pbs newshour recently caught up with asher during banned books week, held sept. September 26, 2018 betsy gomez 2 comments books and plays are challenged for any number of reasons.

Some books challenge the perception of everything while others can inspire a whole generation. Many people think that book censorship, challenges and book banning are things that happened in the distant past. Amazon has a nearmonopoly on electronic books, and is the only effective way small publishers can reach the public. Reasons for banning books banned books libguides at butler. You may also remember all of the controversy about the harry potter books in the early 2000s. Apr 17, 2010 the books on the ala list should make more than 2,000 parents nervous. Sexually explicit content, offensive language, and unsuited to any age group are the top three reasons cited for requesting a book be removed. The american library association promotes the freedom to choose or the freedom to express ones opinions even if that opinion might be considered unorthodox or unpopular, and stresses the importance of ensuring the availability of those viewpoints to all who wish to read them. Reasons such as not supporting certain religious affiliations, using foul language, possessing sexual content, containing concepts dealing with poverty and social class, and more justify the banning of reading material. How do you feel about the idea of banning books with offensive content. The following is a list of frequently asked questions on banned and challenged books.

On account of certain content within the pages of a book, some book was stumbled in controversies or banned or censored. Oct 02, 2015 here are the top 10 reasons books get banned. The books on the ala list should make more than 2,000 parents nervous. What is the most absurd reason a book has been banned or. Martin university banning books in school school boards, principals, and teachers have a responsibility for protecting the minds of their students by covering grade and age appropriate material in the classroom.