...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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...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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...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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...Book Banning In a country founded on freedom and the right to exercise that freedom, most Americans are unaware that books are banned in certain areas and or schools across the United States. Book banning is the censorship and removal of written materials due to objections from a group or individual person, based on personal views, of material and content. Book banning has been a part of society since before books first started being mass produced and distributed. Between the years 2000 and 2009 over 5,000 book banning challenges were reported to the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF). Over 1,500 were challenged due to sexual explicitness. Over 2,500 were initiated by a parent or guardian and nearly 2,000 were initiated by a school (ALA.org. Banned and Challenged Books. Frequently Challenged Books). However, it seems that in any situation on the topic of book banning only explains the reasons behind the removal of the material. But, the rules and guidelines for banning written materials has never been formally established. According to a 2011 Journal of Law and Education from the Jefferson Law Book Company there had been more than 250 attempts at book banning by school districts in the previous four years in 31 states in the U.S. Due to lack of resistance and reduced media awareness more that 85% of book banning goes unreported. (Brenyo, Michael. 40 J.L. & Educ. 541. Introduction) Every year, OIF, gathers the names of the top 10 books...
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...Banned Books: A History and Examination One of the most prolific issues in American education has been censorship in the classroom. This issue has manifested itself in several ways throughout history; however, censorship most often manifests itself in the classroom as book banning. Book banning can be any form of textual censorship from the exclusion of novels from a school library, to the censoring of textbooks by a school board, to the full banning of books by a government. This paper will examine book banning and textual censorship and its impact on education. It will first look at the history of book banning including several modern occurrences of it in the classroom. It will then seek to explain the significance of book banning on education in general with particular attention paid to the American educational system. Banning books has been used as a system for controlling what students learn for ages where those in power use it force the views of the few on the next generation of learners. The banning of books has its origins as far back 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, forcing his departure from Athens and the burning of all of his writings. Since that time, decisions about book bannings often have turned on the definition of what is derogatory. As society has grown and changed, so have its tastes, and the fine...
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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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...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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...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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...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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...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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...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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...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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... 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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...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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