Censorship in School Libraries
The most debatable and controversial form of censorship today is the banning of books in school libraries. Banning books that educate students is wrong and selfish. Censorship of books in school libraries is neither uncommon nor an issue of the past. Books with artistic and cultural worth are still challenged constantly by those who want to control what others read. The roots of bigotry and illiteracy that fuel efforts to censor books and free expression are unacceptable and unconditional. Censoring school books in libraries can often lead to censorship of our basic freedoms guaranteed in the First Amendment. In some cases, a minority ends up dictating the majority in censorship cases. To be told what is permissible reading material and what is not is a direct violation of the First Amendment of the Constitution. The First Amendment of the Constitution is the most important and debatable of them all. The First Amendment states; "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, of prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
ban a book. There is no rational excuse for a school library to ban a book at the request of a "concerned" parent. "Where they have burned books, they will end up burning human beings " (qtd. in Heine 44). Books like The Chocolate War, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, and Of Mice and Men have been placed on the controversial bookshelf of many school libraries. The Chocolate War and I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings were challenged for reasons of being "sexually explicit" Of Mice and Men, challenged for using "offensive" language. Also Harry Potter for encouraging witchcraft, sorcery, and Satanism. If it's not one "ism," it's another. Madeleine L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time has been targeted by censors for supporting New Ageism, and Mark Twain's Adventures of Huckleberry Finn for promoting racism. Sometimes books are banned or censored for unusual and often ridiculous reasons. An example of such banning is of Little Red Riding Hood in two California districts in 1989. In the story, Little Red Riding Hood is bringing a cake and a bottle of wine to her grandmother's house. The districts claimed they were concerned because of the use of alcohol in the story. Where does that leave today's Most would-be banners act with what they consider to be the highest intents protecting themselves, their families, and communities from perceived oppressions and preserving values and ideals they would have the entire society comprehend. The result, however; is always and School libraries are stations for information and ideas. All books and other library materials should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all students in the school. Libraries should provide books and information presenting all points of views on cultural and historical issues. Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide students with knowledge and enlightenment. Books should not be prohibited because of the origin, backgrounds, or views of the authors. There are no reasons to to expand, the society portrayed in the book may even become reality. ever the denial of another's right to read. The censors are mostly parents and other community residents of all bac
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Approximate Word count = 1506
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)
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