AJ Harasti
Mrs. Hassing
English 12B
18 April 2023 Book Censorship Reaserch Essay
Access to information is one of the most crucial aspects of a fair and equitable education. Exposure to different perspectives and people is key to how a person performs in diverse environments that differ from what individuals experience personally. Because of this, local and federal governments should enact laws that stop censorship in schools’ curricula as well as acknowledging the problems that correlate with banning books. Every student is entitled to a fair and well-rounded education that a student is free to choose. A curriculum that excludes and prevents students from making that choice is detrimental to our future, it limits a student's first amendment
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With the highest recorded number of challenged or banned books this year, what is the solution. Considering that “ALA reported 729 attempts to censor library resources, targeting 1,597 books, which represented the highest number of attempted book bans since ALA began compiling these lists more than 20 years ago.” (ALA). It’s notable to compare recent reaserch that shows an increase in harmful ideologies with that of censorship. With sharp increases in hate incidents, it makes society question if there is a possible correlation between the two. One author explains this simpler: “The rise of book bans, in their view, is the tip of a deeper iceberg: a growing movement on the right to use the levers of local and state governance to control teachers and push an ideologically slanted vision of what children should learn about American culture, society, and history.” (Beauchamp). There’s a particularly intresting parallel between these two problems. Book banning is a slippery slope, with the problem only growing it’s right to be concerned. However, it’s clear that the baseline of book banning is control, which is a foundation to controlling beliefs. Do note that this is only a question to be further expanded on with growing …show more content…
Bill that restrict teachers abilities of free speech are directly contradictory of American values. The differences between selection v. censorship, and how modern day book bannings are not catorgized as selection. Certain landmark cases prove the governments ability to reconignizze censorship as a problem, but their reasons why they have yet to protect intelectinisum is questioned. Finally questions on the parallel between hateful incidents and ideologies were brought forth to show that there’s a possible connection between two closely related problems. All of this serves as a way to show that they’s a significant problem that can be quickly addressed, but is couintiusly ignored in favor of minorites extreme values. L5et this evidence serve as reasoning behind why the government should prevent censorship in schools accross the
In the article entitled “Censorship in the Schools” the author states “Censorship is harmful because it results in the opposite of true education and learning”. The government controls what we see and learn so they could be keeping things from us. The ALA also says censorship provides conformity and lack of growth intellectually. This further proves the last statement we never learn everything that is out there. The government censorship censors a lot of what we are exposed to.
Censorship is a form of distraction and control, as those in power attempt to silence those who may challenge them. Conservative organizations and Republican lawmakers are responsible for the current wave of book bans, which call for the ban of books with racial or LGBTQ themes from school libraries. Furthermore, the oppressive nature of censorship is evident in the current situation in Russia, where independent media outlets are closing, and the BBC has suspended all of its operations in the country. Censorship is a powerful tool that has the potential to control public opinion and suppress individual thought. We must recognize the power of censorship and take steps to ensure that it does not go unchecked.
Commonly, when the argument of censorship comes up, people fail to mention that students’ rights are being violated. Just like adults, students are human too, and deserve to be treated the same; due to that reason, banning books and media becomes questionable, "The removal of books from public schools libraries involves questions of free speech, because the right to receive expression goes hand in hand with the right to speak freely under the first amendment of the constitution” (Tylor). Although
Novels are filled with lessons vital to a developing brain, due to their ability to teach caution and create experiences. In summation, the fallacious act of banning books from students and others willing to learn is utterly
When parents ban books that go against their beliefs it removes representation of another belief. This removal of representation pushes children away from learning more about others and themselves
Censorship is a controversial issue that involves the suppression of information, ideas, or artistic expression. One form of censorship is the banning of books, which can have a discriminatory impact on certain groups. According to the American Civil Liberties Union, "Banning books silences voices and divides our communities" (American Civil Liberties Union, n.d.). Banned books are often deemed inappropriate or offensive by specific individuals or groups, removing access to these materials. Such censorship sends the message that specific ideas or viewpoints are unacceptable, which can lead to discrimination toward those with such beliefs.
Books can create portals to different life experiences and encourage reading. A few schools and libraries have challenged the educational value of some books, however, therefore leading them to eventually be prohibited in a particular place. Each reason may be different depending on the book and the location of the exclusions. Books are icons of literature and their value should outshine the occasionally offensive topic. Be that as it may, there are multiple reasons why books should be taught and included in a curriculum.
Books are an essential way to gain knowledge whether they are controversial or not. Thousands of books have been banned from public libraries and schools due to being deemed ‘inappropriate’ by parents, administrators, or religious leaders. Whether Americans should ban books in public libraries and schools is an often debated topic. This censorship of books is dangerous, as it restricts the American people's’ ability to access information, leaving Americans ignorant. Historically, banning books is not a new practice.
Censorship: A Restriction on Intellectual Thought “Every minority, be it Baptist / Unitarian, Irish / Italian / Octogenarian / Zen Buddhist… feel it has the will, the right, the duty to douse the kerosene, light the fuse(Bradbury 2).” Similar to Ray Bradbury’s notions from his “Coda” on Fahrenheit 451, controversial opinions and novel ideas are sometimes engulfed in the animosity and intolerance of minorities who deem it in their best interest to shield any opposing ideology. One, moreover, might wonder how this intolerance might have originated. Well, from the desire to remove or conceal any offensive materials, special interest groups and parents of young children have attempted to ban or edit books with good intentions, albeit with detrimental effects in the long run. Of course, these entities may think they have the people’s best interests in mind, but in reality, they completely undermine the intellectual freedom one can possess.
At one point in time, over 7,220 books have been challenged to be banned. Though these books have been removed for the safety of children, not all books should be banned for many reasons. These include the fact that banning books is infringing on the First Amendment, keeping children from understanding the real world, and, even though there are many reasons for book banning, not banning books could help a student’s education and can even work against itself. Banning a book from a school or public library could go against a person’s First Amendment of the freedom of press.
First, this text states, “Children should not be exposed to sex, violence, drug use, or other inappropriate topics” (Procon.org). To explain, parents are banning books from schools because they do not want their children to be exposed to these inappropriate topics. Moreover, banning these inappropriate topic books would be a great deal for parents and their children. Furthermore, the same text states that “Keeping books with an inappropriate content out of libraries protects kids, but does not stop people from
“American citizens who care about the improvement of education are urged to join students, teachers, librarians, administrators, boards of education, and professional and scholarly organizations in support of the students’ right to read” (The Students Right to Read). Citizens should be allowed to stand up if they believe books should not be banned. It is important that writers should be able to have their books out to the public without getting banned. “Challengers often employ a definition that maintains that banning materials is the only true form of censorship,”(Knox 740). Censorship of books is common and a real problem.
It is evident that censorship is widely common in school. Some books are banned from school libraries due to content, while others are banned from being read in English classes. "Censorship is particularly harmful in the schools because it prevents students with inquiring minds from exploring the world, seeking truth and reason, and stretching their intellectual capacities, and becoming
[21]” (ProCon.org). Banning books in school can create a problem for the teachers that are trying to assign something to the class. With the new addition to the first amendment schools will have the rights to any books. When books are banned the life lessons in the books are also
“American citizens who care about the improvement of education are urged to join students, teachers, librarians, administrators, boards of education, and professional and scholarly organizations in support of the students’ right to read” (The Students Right to Read). Citizens should be allowed to stand up if they believe books should not be banned. It is important that writers should be able to have their books out to the public without getting banned. “Challengers often employ a definition that maintains that banning materials is the only true form of censorship,”(Knox 740). Censorship of books is common and a real problem.