This week I have been working on a Banned Book Display. I've been doing some light research on censorship, and it is kind of weird and surprising to see the works that have been challenged in the past. Mostly, because many of those books are considered today to be great classics. Fantastic works like Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird" and books like "Catcher in The Rye" have at one time or another been challenged. Tolstoy's "The Kingdom of God is Within You" was banned in the Russian empire for being anti-establishment. "The Color Purple" by Alice Walker has met with multiple challenges in North Carolina (as recently as three months ago this was happening..)
This made me consider more carefully the justifications people use for censorship in today's world. I looked at the books have been challenged this year. If you are interested, this is an interesting article from the Kids' Right to Read Project and the top banned books of 2013.
What is the reasoning for challenging these books? At first glance, the listed books deal with race or lgbt issues. This shows that these are issues that our society is still struggling to accept. This is exactly why book challenges should not be taken lightly. These books offer learning experiences to adults and youth alike. This is why Freedom to Read week is so important. These issues need to be discussed. Especially in light of recent events, such as the deaths of Trayvon Martin and Jordan Dunn. Issues of race continue to permeate our world, even as people become more open and aware.
Another example, "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" by Stephen Chobsky is a beautiful coming of age story. It is an honest look at what growing up looks like, for kids from many different backgrounds. This book deals with themes of identity, sexuality, loss, and friendship. I feel like the only reason someone would challenge this particular title, is if they hadn't read it.
The list of the most banned books of 2013 seems to show many beautiful works that are having their literary merit discounted. Many of these challenges appear to stem from smaller and more rural communities. That in itself is worth nothing, as for many children of colour or lgbt youth, a book may be the first representation of themselves that they really have access to.
This is a great article on banned books via the New York Public Library.
That's all for now! Happy weekend!
This is absolutely such an important issue! It's horrifying how government and bigoted communities can suppress literary expression at the expense of the people around them, and you were right to note how detrimental this can be for younger generations.
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