Book Censorship

[author_by_night]

I know it's a bit after Banned Books Week by now, but I'm posting a speech I did on book censorship anyway, at the request of ladyaelfwynn. I gave this speech for a class last year. :)

How many of you have read To Kill A Mockingbird?  How about at least one of the Harry Potter books?  Who in here giggled to Where the Sidewalk Ends as a young child?

            It may surprise you that each of these books has been banned for a variety of reasons. They have been marked as “unfit” for children – and, in some cases, even adults.

            Today, I am going to discuss with you what book censorship is, why censorship does not work, and the other options. I have spoken against censorship before, and have therefore studied the issue for years. Also, as an avid reader, I have found out some of my own favorite books have been censored.

            The Merriam-Webster Dictionary definition of censorship is “the action of a censor especially in stopping the transmission or publication of matter considered objectionable.” In other words, the goal of censorship is to keep material considered inappropriate out of public libraries and schools.

      You may be wondering what the problem with that is. Why is censorship such a bad idea? After all, doesn’t it stop students from reading bad books?

Well, there are four major problems. One problem is that book censorship goes against the first amendment. According to the Bill of Rights, American citizens have the right to freedom of speech and the press. We have an unalienable right to convey and take in information and opinions, regardless of “superior” opinion. Do children not count as citizens of the United States?

      Another problem is that book censorship can be based on misconceptions. Take Harry Potter; the books have gotten criticized for a line in the first of the series:

      “There is no good or evil. There is only power.”

      Yes, that line is disturbing. But it is supposed to be, as the speaker of the line is the villain. The reader shouldn’t approve.

      One other instance is To Kill A Mockingbird. Again, people misunderstand the authorial intent, and therefore censor. Harper Lee writes racism as cold, up front, and unapologetic. If she didn’t write bigots as horrible people, that would be racist.

Then there is the fact that not only are we depriving students of their first amendment rights; we are depriving them of a chance to learn about the world. Racism happened; it was awful that it did, but if we give children rose colored glasses instead of books, they might end up ignorant because they never knew what ignorance was. They never know that there is a major problem in this world as far as prejudice goes, and that almost a century later, little has changed. Considering these same children are the future of America, that’s scary.

      Then there’s Where The Sidewalk Ends, banned for being too mischievous and “promoting bad behavior.” Do we not want children to laugh when they see that other children sometimes make silly mistakes too? Do we want them to feel they have to be perfect?

      Finally, it is not up to the schools, library committee, or government what a child reads. It is up to the caregiver. And the caregiver can do a lot; he or she can read the book with the child and express what themes he or she doesn’t agree with, tell his or her child to show what books he or she is reading, and even ask teachers in a classroom to provide an alternative assignment.

            Take a stand against book censorship. Find out what books are censored at local school and public libraries, and defend at least one. Buy a banned book. Donate money to the American Library Association, which is against book censorship.

            I am going to end with a quote from a letter a child sent Judy Blume, a Young Adult author:

Dear Judy, 
I don't know where I stand in the world.  I don't know who I am.    That's why I read, to find myself.

            This could have been any of you years ago, and it could be a child you care about tomorrow.

            Books are, for many children, a way to face the world. Let’s not take that away from them.

Comments

[author-by-night.livejournal.com]

*Waves* Hi!

And don't worry, I agree with your rant 100%. It's completely fine to not let your kids read certain books - it's not fine to decide Maggie Smith's kids shouldn't read those books either. That's what I have a problem with.

And love that you read TKAM because it was banned.