2008 Woodie Awards
Book censorship: a burning issue
Evan Barker
Issue date: 1/24/08 Section: Opinions
Atticus Finch would not approve.
As the intellectual, morally upstanding lawyer of a small Southern town, Finch would naturally oppose an effort to stifle the learning of young citizens.
But that's what's happening, all across the country.
Book censorship or banning is not a new phenomenon, but it is one which teachers, parents, librarians and students invariably encounter, all too often.
In Jan. 2006, Finch's story, "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Nelle Harper Lee was challenged in Williamson County Schools. The anonymous protestor took issue with usage of racially-charged language and mild profanity. Of course, the intelligent reader and history student would know that racially-charged language would be par for the course in a book about the pre-Civil Rights era in the South, but those who challenge this book don't seem to get it. Yet, racism rears its ugly head, and feeble-minded people continue to challenge this book. Luckily, the school board in Williamson County voted unanimously to keep Atticus Finch in their schools.
The American Library Association keeps a list of banned and challenged books, and a database on the location and the institution of the challenge. It holds a yearly celebration to tout the merits of hotly contested books, called Banned Book Week. Some of the books on the list are surprising, and others, not so much.
The no-brainers include "The Anarchist Cookbook" by William Powell and "The New Joy of Gay Sex" by Charles Silverstein. Most parents would agree that these are not necessarily suited for very young readers, at least in public school libraries. (Of course, a book touting the joys of straight sex would be banned just as quickly.)
The surprising books are the ones that shape your perceptions and teach life lessons. It is for these reasons that these books must remain in every school library and be available to any teacher who wishes to teach them. These books must stand up to continued challenges.
As the intellectual, morally upstanding lawyer of a small Southern town, Finch would naturally oppose an effort to stifle the learning of young citizens.
But that's what's happening, all across the country.
Book censorship or banning is not a new phenomenon, but it is one which teachers, parents, librarians and students invariably encounter, all too often.
In Jan. 2006, Finch's story, "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Nelle Harper Lee was challenged in Williamson County Schools. The anonymous protestor took issue with usage of racially-charged language and mild profanity. Of course, the intelligent reader and history student would know that racially-charged language would be par for the course in a book about the pre-Civil Rights era in the South, but those who challenge this book don't seem to get it. Yet, racism rears its ugly head, and feeble-minded people continue to challenge this book. Luckily, the school board in Williamson County voted unanimously to keep Atticus Finch in their schools.
The American Library Association keeps a list of banned and challenged books, and a database on the location and the institution of the challenge. It holds a yearly celebration to tout the merits of hotly contested books, called Banned Book Week. Some of the books on the list are surprising, and others, not so much.
The no-brainers include "The Anarchist Cookbook" by William Powell and "The New Joy of Gay Sex" by Charles Silverstein. Most parents would agree that these are not necessarily suited for very young readers, at least in public school libraries. (Of course, a book touting the joys of straight sex would be banned just as quickly.)
The surprising books are the ones that shape your perceptions and teach life lessons. It is for these reasons that these books must remain in every school library and be available to any teacher who wishes to teach them. These books must stand up to continued challenges.
Viewing Comments 1 - 8 of 8
Carl A. Patton, Psyche Z Publishing
posted 2/04/08 @ 9:05 AM CST
HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE CENSORSHIP OF
?BIG RALPH: REFLECTIONS OF A BLACK POLICE CHIEF?
(Biography of the first Black Police Chief in Chattanooga, TN
by Carl A. (Continued…)
Carl A. Patton
Carl A. Patton, Psyche Z Publishing
posted 2/06/08 @ 9:03 PM CST
Greetings Brethren, Friend or Foe:
No man tells the way of the Wind, nor does man set the course of the scribes. Truth has always been among us however mis-deeds, lies and falsehoods came later. (Continued…)
Get a clue
posted 2/07/08 @ 10:30 AM CST
Dude,
I don't see the government stopping you from doing anything.
You are free to express yourself. What you can not do is force people to publish, read, sell, or review your stuff. (Continued…)
Carl A. Patton
Carl A. Patton
posted 2/07/08 @ 11:42 AM CST
THE WRITER'S TRIBUTE TO VOLTAIRE
The Freedom Journal
Many writers pay tribute to many great thinkers thus Voltaire is not the only philosopher that has contributed to freedom of the pen. (Continued…)
Get a clue
posted 2/08/08 @ 4:12 PM CST
So, the "T"ruth is what? Whatever you say it is?
Being that I have to bear the consequences of my own mortality, I have the right to live however the fuck I want to, within the established parameters of my rights and responsibilities under the rule of law, without regard to whatever you and your "God" have to say about it, unless you can prove otherwise. (Continued…)
Carl A. Patton
posted 2/08/08 @ 8:05 PM CST
FROM THE VINTAGE ARCHIVES OF THE FREEDOMJOURNAL
Greetings Brethren:
There was once a man who claimed to be at odds and the enemy of an upright man. (Continued…)
Stop.
posted 2/08/08 @ 8:41 PM CST
Mr. Patton-
Seriously. Nobody is reading what you're posting, and it's getting really irritating. Yes, you have the freedom to post, but really. You're wasting your time. (Continued…)
Carl A. Patton
posted 2/09/08 @ 8:22 AM CST
FROM THE FREEDOMJOURNAL ARCHIVES
Greetings Brethren:
There was once a man who saw Truth confirmed. As the Sun came into his presence, he saw with his eyes. (Continued…)
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