In celebration of Banned Books Week, here are some articles about censorship.
Banned Books Week Fights Censorship by People in Power
“This op-ed argues that those who ban or burn books are seeking to destroy history, ideas, and narratives that challenge the authority of those in power.”
Jameelah Nasheed provides a succinct history of censorship, including the recent incident at Central York School District in York, Pennsylvania, and the inception of the now annual celebration of Banned Books Week.
Banned Books Week: We defend 30 challenged books including ‘Beloved’ and ‘1984’
This article in USA Today begins with a short video of the student protests in York, Pennsylvania, then turns to the defense of “some of the most challenged books in America as compiled by the American Library Association’s Office of Intellectual Freedom.”
Books with difficult or controversial subject matter are written to be read and discussed, not censored and denied. What part of “education” don’t these people understand?
I think I feel as strongly about this as you do, Liz. When my daughter was in school, I followed the local board quite closely. Every time someone would speak about removing a particular book from the school curriculum or library, I would seek out that person after the meeting and ask, “Have you read the book?” Most of them just walked away without answering, but I felt I had done my part (then I went home and wrote a letter to the editor of the local paper, just for the pleasure of seeing my name in print . . .)
I’d forgotten about that particular phenomenon! Some people try to get a book banned, and they haven’t even read it!! (I would be embarrassed to even propose it.)