In this article, Deborah S. Connelly talks about the history of book banning, its presence in society today, and actions that have and can be taken against it. Most of these actions stem from the responsibility of librarians and organizations. Connelly believes that librarians have an obligation to keep their content uncensored and readily available to the public. She has stated that the best way to prevent book censorship is to educate our society about the importance of diverse books. A more specific approach regarding this idea might be for a librarian to remind an opposing patron why the book on trial was bought in the first place, and what it could have to offer the reader. As said on the final page of her article, “Knowledge is the key…
Book Banning has existed in America since colonial times, when legislatures and royal governors enacted laws against blasphemy and seditious libel. Legislatures in the early American republic passed laws against obscenity. Though freedom of the press has grown significantly over the course of the twentieth century, book banning and related forms of censorship have persisted due to cyclical concerns about affronts to cultural, political, moral, and religious belief.…
In the book Fahrenheit 451, written by Ray Bradbury, the idea of banning books is a central theme. No books are allowed in this dystopian society. In America today, various groups of people try to get books banned or censored. When America was formed as a nation, every citizen was given freedoms and rights. One of these freedoms was freedom of speech; however, when a book is censored or banned, the authors freedom of speech is restricted or taken away entirely. Censoring, restricting, or banning books is unconstitutional because it is restricting the authors right to free speech given to them by the constitution, it forces a group of people’s beliefs on others, and does not allow people to choose what they want to read.…
If I was told that books or any printed materials were banned I would feel very upset, because books are a fun way for me to pass time, and I find a very nice and easy form of entertainment. Book are a way for me to escape reality for a while, they take me to another time and place, and it makes me think and imagine many things. Books sometimes provide inspiration and knowledge, and they make learning fun. The idea of being punished for doing something I enjoy is upsetting, I couldn't imagine living in a world where I wouldn't be able to read my favorite books, and if I did try to read it I would be punished. Although, I am curious as to why books or any printed material of the sort became banned, and if the justification is good enough, I…
Not all books that are banned should be but there are some that I see good reasoning for why it has been banned. In my opinion the book I read shouldn’t be banned, but I do see why some readers feel that it should, in the book there is some violence that might be disturbing to a young reader. Also to some young readers they may find the book to be scary. Even with these other points I am still against banning this book and many other books. I encourage anyone who dislikes a book or finds it inappropriate to think about their decision before challenging or banning a…
It seems we are fast losing our freedoms as American citizens. Personal phone lines are tapped, religious freedoms are no longer allowed to be exercised in public schools, and never before has there been such a threat to America's very existence. Our manufacturing jobs have been leaving the country at a steady rate since the 1980's, health care is nearly impossible to afford, employers offer fewer benefits, social Security has been run into the ground, and our nation is in massive debt for trillions of dollars. And since books were hand written, our literature has been censored. In this modern era many would not think banning books, a hindrance on one’s freedom of choice, would be the situation, especially a great American novel such as The Great Gatsby, written by F. Scott Fitzgerald. This book is a classic, depicting the American dream of the self made man, and it should not have been banned.…
Censorship has been an issue that has been debated for many years. Censorship is the suppression of a book or other work of art which may be considered objectionable, harmful, sensitive, or inconvenient to the general body of people as determined by a government, media outlet, or other controlling body. A “challenged” book is one that has had attempts to remove or restrict its material. A banned book is a book censored by a power holding authority, like the government or a school, and has been removed. These banned books are removed from the library of school. Book banning has gone way back, “as far as 450 B.C., when Anaxagoras wrote that he thought the sun was a “white hot stone and that the moon reflected the sun's rays.” His writings were deemed “derogatory” to the gods.” (Magelky 1) Books are banned because they are deemed unfit for any age group. Reasons for banning a book can be violence or sexual content. When a book gets banned, it doesn’t mean it’s illegal to be read, it’s just taken off the shelves of wherever it was banned from and it’s harder to find. There is a lot of debate over banned books, as well as if the children should have the “right to read”. Some people are against banning any book or any form of censorship because it interferes with our first amendment right of freedom of speech. Others think it is alright, in moderation. Some think the parents should be the one to decide if their kid can read the book. People that agree with book banning agree with the fact that book banning is done with “the best intentions, to protect people, usually children, from difficult ideas and information” (ALA 1). Banned books have been around for centuries and it doesn’t seem to be stopping any time soon.…
I believe that every person should have the option to read whatever they want. Many schools claim they ban books because they do not want students to act out or feel uncomfortable. Schools are afraid that their students are going to achieve the violent crimes that are mentioned in the books. In the article "Banned Books" the article states," The First Amendment of the Constitution guarantees our right to free speech...includes the right…
At first glance, the debate over banning books appears unimportant. Nevertheless, this debate has divided our nation into those who favor censoring books to protect their impressionable adolescents, and those who argue that education should be open for everybody without interference from the government in restricting the publishing and accessing of these books.…
Since written word has existed, it has been a target for censorship (Books, 1). Book banning is a problem in the United States still to this day. Hundreds of books are banned every year in the United States (Banned, 1). A challenge is an attempt to remove or restrict materials (Cho, 1). To ban a book is to remove the materials completely. Books are banned or challenged to protect the children. Throughout history many different peoples and groups have attempted and will continue to challenge books, which they don’t agree with. Parents are the people who challenge books the most. Banned Books Week started in 1982. It is an annual celebration of the freedom to read and is held in the last two weeks of September. Banned Books Week focuses on efforts across the country…
Imagine walking to your school library looking for one of your favorite books. You look around and it´s not there. You ask the librarian they say that the took out the book because it was difficult subject for some kids. How would you feel? Schools have been banning books for many years. Schools should not be banning books because books help kids learn about very important subjects. Furthermore, books teach kids about the world around them. Lastly, books help kids open up their viewpoint.The first reason schools shouldn’t ban books is kids should learn even if it’s a difficult subject.This is important because kids are going to learn about difficult subjects sooner or later. The Washington Post says "Judging a classic without reading it tells us more about the critic than about the book.…
Banned books are becoming more current in this day of time. People often do not understand the challenge of books or why a book is being banned. Ken Petrilli, the author of “Banned Books Week: Celebrating You (and Celebrating Your (and Your Teens!) Freedom to Read” in the Young Adult Library Services summer of 2009, talks about how he understand, how the parents feel about some books being banned. He also advised ways to make displays for banned books week. Petrilli is a teen service librarian, a musician, and serves on the YALSA’s Intellectual Freedom Committee. “To Read or Not to Read: Understanding Book Censorship” by Deborah Connelly, was published in the Community and Junior College Libraries in the year of 2009. In Connelly’s article, she wants people to know what book censorship means and how librarians deal with people who want to challenge books. In both articles each writer gives a description of why books are banned. Petrilli’s article has less information but his credibility comes from his services as being a librarian and serving on the YALSA’s Intellectual Freedom Committee. Connelly’s article has more information but nowhere in her article is her credibility. However, by analyzing both of the articles neither Petrilli nor Connelly’s articles are scholarly.…
Do you think we should banned books? We should ban inappropriate books that have sexual themes. We also need to be aware of books that could hold racist words and ideas. These books could have a negative effect on young people. I will be tell you reason why we should banned some books that may harm kids futures.…
Books are supposed to be used as reading materials where information can be retrieved. Due to this, books are widely used in learning institutions amongst students. The books themselves come in different genres and age requirements depending on their customers; this is such that there are children and adult books. However, before a book gets printed and published for used, it undergoes vetting to determine its credibility. Once published, the different genres of books can then be distributed to their different customers. When the general public does not like an already published book, due to certain reasons, there may be a motion to have it banned. This is what is referred to as banning a book. A challenged book is one that is facing possible removal or restriction of materials on it, based on the arguments of one or more people. This essay briefly talks about banned and challenged books and some of the reasons for doing so.…
“…Our basic right – the freedom to express ourselves as we see fit – is guaranteed by the First Amendment to the United States’ Constitution…” as stated from the text, Schools and Censorship: Banned Books. A recent banning of books for having age inappropriate content has been debated, but books should not be banned because children will eventually be exposed to the content, children need to learn they’re history, and children are being deprived the right to representation, as stated in the Constitution. Therefore, it is illegal to ban books from the people.…