Maria Garfias

Read it Before You Ban it

Parents are always worried about what their children are exposed to whether it’s music videos, movies, or reality shows. 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. For example in the chapter “Because Russian Guys Are Not Always Geniuses,” Junior goes ballistic when he finds out of his sister’s sudden death: “to learn that your sister was TOO FREAKING DRUNK to feel any pain when she BURNED TO DEATH.” (Alexie205). One can easily see why this material would be viewed as highly inappropriate for young readers as it incorporates profanity. Profanity is never suitable for teens because it induces disrespect and violence. However what this argument fails to consider is that the graphic words were the authors way of enhancing the realistic thoughts that were going through Junior’s mind. Using those words helped express Junior’s feelings as he was trying to accept his sister’s terrible death. For example in the same chapter “Because Russian Guys Aren't Always Geniuses,” Junior describes what had happened after he lost control of his emotions: “Things had gotten too intense, so painful, that my body just checked out” (Alexie205). His spinning of emotions exhibit how hurt and shocked he was as he was told of his sister’s death. Numerous individuals know this type of pain and others that haven't experienced it are sure to understand it too. Banning The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian would be an outrageous decision.

It’s important that people understand that a book should not be banned for the simple reason that a certain group don’t like the ideas or beliefs incorporated in it. In 1975, the Island Trees School Board in Long Island, NY, was given a list of books that should’ve been especially looked into for controversial issues. Instead of following the School Board’s instructions the school went right ahead to remove the books on the list from the library’s shelves. It’s as if the school gave no type of chance to any of the books on the list. It’s crucial to realize that some of the books that get banned are truly amazing stories by some of the greatest authors. As is The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian and books like such should be available to people so that the readers can get a first hand sense of what some Indians live through. This inspiring story should surely stay on every book shelf possible.

Works Cited

Sherman, Alexie, and Ellen Forney. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. New York: Little, Brown, 2007. Print.