2008 Woodie Awards
Is book-banning a healthy practice in society?
Amber-Marie Isenburg
Contributing Writer
Issue date: 10/8/07 Section: Opinion
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Starting Sept. 29, millions nationwide will be celebrating "Banned Book Week," a week dedicated to enjoying our freedom to read. This celebration helps bring up awareness about books banning/challenging across the world. Carolyn Mackler, author of books such as "The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things," is helping the cause this year in a "Banned Book Readout" in Chicago. Her books have been challenged in other countries, who think her books may be too radical or inappropriate. Mackler states that "the best way to counter censorship is to bring these challenges to light. And the best way to liberate banned books is to read them."
When I think of book-banning, in my mind I see a big fire with piles and piles of books surrounded by wheelbarrows driven by tyrants, Protestants and Nazis throwing them into the flames. While today's bannings are not quite this intense, for some, emotionally, it is still the same; 100 years ago, books were banned for religious reasons, the work seemed too radical, made people think and stirred "ideas" that were unwanted. During World War II, banned books were burned, the book burning was considered a Nazi symbol, a tribute to the "cause." Nowadays we don't really realize that book banning still happens. One of the most frequently challenged books of 2006 was Richardson and Parnell's "And Tango Makes Three," a book about two male penguins raising an egg from a mixed-sex penguin couple. Another popularly challenged book, also at the top of the list, is Robert Cormier's "The Chocolate War" due to sexual content, offensive language and violence.
Now, there is a difference between challenging a book and banning a book. A challenge is an attempt to rid the world of this particular, distasteful or offensive book. A ban is the actual removal of it.
Usually, the groups of people challenging these books are parents. Parents who do not want their children's eyes tarnished with what they feel are sinful words or ideas. But does banning these books really help? The authors of these books are merely expressing their perception of the world today. Yes, the world is full of homosexuals who want children. Yes, there is a violent war going on right now. No, not every family is a perfect "Leave it to Beaver" family. Get over it! Shielding your children's eyes for the mere 13 years you have control over what they read will only harm them in the future. Add a little persistence and presto! - you have the recipe for a close-minded ignoramus.
When I think of book-banning, in my mind I see a big fire with piles and piles of books surrounded by wheelbarrows driven by tyrants, Protestants and Nazis throwing them into the flames. While today's bannings are not quite this intense, for some, emotionally, it is still the same; 100 years ago, books were banned for religious reasons, the work seemed too radical, made people think and stirred "ideas" that were unwanted. During World War II, banned books were burned, the book burning was considered a Nazi symbol, a tribute to the "cause." Nowadays we don't really realize that book banning still happens. One of the most frequently challenged books of 2006 was Richardson and Parnell's "And Tango Makes Three," a book about two male penguins raising an egg from a mixed-sex penguin couple. Another popularly challenged book, also at the top of the list, is Robert Cormier's "The Chocolate War" due to sexual content, offensive language and violence.
Now, there is a difference between challenging a book and banning a book. A challenge is an attempt to rid the world of this particular, distasteful or offensive book. A ban is the actual removal of it.
Usually, the groups of people challenging these books are parents. Parents who do not want their children's eyes tarnished with what they feel are sinful words or ideas. But does banning these books really help? The authors of these books are merely expressing their perception of the world today. Yes, the world is full of homosexuals who want children. Yes, there is a violent war going on right now. No, not every family is a perfect "Leave it to Beaver" family. Get over it! Shielding your children's eyes for the mere 13 years you have control over what they read will only harm them in the future. Add a little persistence and presto! - you have the recipe for a close-minded ignoramus.
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