...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...
Words: 1702 - Pages: 7
...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...
Words: 677 - Pages: 3
...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...
Words: 1150 - Pages: 5
...Censorship Hinders Education in Schools Censorship is a negative influence on schools and education in general. Censorship is the forbidding, blocking, limiting, or obstructing access to information for whatever reason. When it is introduced into the school education system it comes with some flaws and drawbacks not intended by the original effect by which safety is the biggest concern. When teachers assign research on a certain controversial or unsafe topic, it is not allowed to be surfed on the school grounds due to internet filters or lack of books concerning them how are the students expected to complete the assignment let alone learn with that big barrier? There is also the problem with that it will actually encourage the curiosity of...
Words: 1894 - Pages: 8
...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. For example...
Words: 687 - Pages: 3
...Banning Of Mice and Men in high school In the United States, Of Mice and Men is a very popular book in Junior classes but it is currently on the banned book list, therefore many people believe that it should not be read in class. This book appeals to most students because of the fact that it’s on the banned book list. Of Mice and Men was written in 1937 and things were bad back then which leads to why people think the book should be banned. Steinbeck shows many examples of sexism, violence, racism, and mental retardation which are all the controversial issues. This book should not be banned because Steinbeck was showing exactly how things used to be in the 1900’s. As a high school Junior who understands Steinbeck’s purpose for writing the book the way he did, including profanity, and all of the other controversial issues, this book should not be banned. Most people think that...
Words: 1008 - Pages: 5
...‘’Captain Underpants” is a kid friendly book that shouldn't be banned from any library. A Michigan elementary school has banned the latest "Captain Underpants" novel from its book fair.This school has sighting of why they think the book is bad. “The decision to ban the book, which the School Library Journal considers the book suitable for children in grades 2-4, was made by the school's parent-teacher organization, according to Monroe Public Schools Superintendent Barry Martin”. This was a very popular book that shouldn’t have been banned. The book “Captain Underpants” should not be banned, although it does have some inappropriate stuff,but it's just to make a child laugh.I understand why a parent would be mad about their child reading the...
Words: 386 - Pages: 2
...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...
Words: 426 - Pages: 2
...it has angered and shocked parents, transfixed students, and has been banned in many schools throughout the nation. Robert Cormier was born on January 17, 1925 in Leominster, Maryland and died on November 2, 2000 due to complications from a blood clot in Boston, Maryland. Cormier was the son of Lucien Joseph, a factory worker, and Irma Margaret Cormier; and attended Fitchburg State College, he graduated in 1944. He married Constance B. Senay on November 6, 1948 and had 4 children. Young Adult Banned Books tells us that Cormier was acclaimed for “his powerful and disturbing novels for young adult readers” (Young, 8). He has written many novels for young adults including the sequel to The Chocolate War (Beyond the Chocolate War, 1985). Cormier wrote The Chocolate War based on a true life experience “in which his son was the only person in his class to refuse to sell chocolates for a high school fund raiser” (Young, 9). The Chocolate War was published by Pantheon in New York, New York in 1974. The Chocolate War tells the story of “a young boy's struggle against the conformity imposed on him by the restrictive atmosphere of an all-male Catholic prep school as well as by the demands of the Vigils, a secret group that the school does not officially condone but whose existence and infractions it ignores” (The Chocolate, 15). The novel opens with our protagonist, Jerry Renault, a freshman in high school still “emotionally bruised after his mother’s death, is handed a typical...
Words: 2701 - Pages: 11
...past 100 years than ever before. People all around the country have been affected by the parameters of censorship. Author Judy Blume once said when asked her opinion about it the topic, “It’s not just the books under fire now that worry me. It is the books that will never be written. The books that will never be read. And all due to the fear of censorship. As always, young readers will be the real losers.” (NMSU Library, n.d.). Blume, herself, is no stranger to censorship. Several of her writings have made ALA’s list of 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books. Her 1975 novel Forever was both challenged and banned in over 10 different states because of its descriptively sexual content, disobedience to parents, “lack of moral tone,” and use of profanity (Censorship & Judy Blume, n.d.). Forever is the story of two high school seniors, Katherine and Michael, and their journey throughout their relationship. The teens meet at a party and fall in love from there. Eventually, Katherine loses her virginity to Michael and they promise each other that they will last “forever.” They managed to keep this promise for a while until they were forced apart for a summer because Katherine’s parents made her get an out of town job. Judy Blume created a typical teenage love story. In 1983, schools in Akron, Ohio decided to make a change to their libraries. Forever had been available for kids to take out at any time. However, after going...
Words: 1438 - Pages: 6
...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...
Words: 748 - Pages: 3
...has been controversy over whether the book should be banned in public schools. Some people say that the book has strong political and religious views, along with pervasive language. "It was fifteen minutes before I could work myself up to go and humble myself to a n****; but I done it, and I warn't ever sorry for it afterwards, neither. I didn't do him no more mean tricks, and I wouldn't done that one if I'd a knowed it would make him feel that way" (Twain 156). Huck is not too happy about having to apologize to a black man, but he does it anyways. It shows a paradox by having Huck be not as racist as everyone else, which makes him a good person. This could have a negative effect on students due to racial slurs and foul language that could offend others....
Words: 627 - Pages: 3
...Indians have been stereotyped and discriminated by many for abusing alcohol, so people don’t believe they can achieve anything. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, by Sherman Alexie, is a young adult book about a boy named Junior who decides to leave the reservation to attend an all white school to better his education. This book has been challenged quite frequently, but it has not been banned as often. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian should not be banned because Junior shows humor, determination, and criticism from others. The main character Junior likes to use a great deal of humor because he likes to make life enjoyable. On the first day of high school Junior was in Geometry class and he starts to talk about...
Words: 589 - Pages: 3
...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...
Words: 1100 - Pages: 5
...the Criticized Plea of Censorship Captain 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...
Words: 1778 - Pages: 8
