Paper
For centuries, parents have wrestled with the question of how to raise their
children with the best moral and ethical standings. Along with this question
come others such as, "What are the right morals?" Today’s parents are
no different than they were in the past and the struggle continues. It’s
tempting to try to protect children from the perceived evils in modern society.
One such moral issue is the banning of books from high school libraries and
sometimes even classrooms, which may represent some of those aforementioned
perceived evils.
As long as humans have sought to communicate, others have sought to keep them
from doing so. Every day someone tries to restrict or control what can be said,
written, sung, or broadcast through censorship. Almost every idea ever thought
has proved offensive or worthy of objection to one person or another, and almost
everyone has sometimes felt the world would be a better place if only "so
and so" were not around or "such and such" did not exist.
Some people deem this censorship necessity, while still others claim that
these actions impose upon their First Amendment rights. Both sides have some
very worthwhile viewpoints, but lost in the shuffle, unfortunately, is what the
First Amendment stands for – that each of us are free to decide for ourselves
what to read and think. No matter how convinced some may be of the rightness of
their own views, they are not, however, entitled to impose those views on
others. We all have the right to attempt to convince others of our views, but
that doesn’t imply a right to blindfold or silence others in the process.
On the anti-censorship side sits the American Library Association along with
a number of other organizations. Part of this group’s attempt to further
awareness of censorship takes place in the last week in September. This campaign
is known as National Banned Book Week. This is a weeklong propaganda fest and
consciousness-raising extravaganza put on by the American Library Association’s
Office for Intellectual Freedom. The promoters use this week to parade a list of
books that they charge have been banned in libraries and schools across America,
talk about the importance of First Amendment Rights, and lament the rise of
censorship from what they consider to be the ill-informed enemies of freedom and
American democracy — a group that includes the usual conservatives and, of
course, a great number of parents and school officials.
First of all, quite a few Americans have serious problems with the sort of
radical libertarianism that the American Library Association (ALA) represents. A
majority of Americans don’t buy into the notion that public libraries should buy
anything no matter how pornographic, or that schools should teach anything, no
matter how controversial. Most Americans believe in community standards, and
they stubbornly insist that schools, libraries, and other social institutions
ought to support those standards. Even so, the real difficulty with the American
Library Association’s Banned Book Week isn’t its philosophy, however a number of
people may question the ALA’s anything-goes-approach to building a library
collection and managing a school’s curriculum. No, the real problem is the
dishonesty involved.
In my opinion, Banned Book Week isn’t really what it says it is. It isn’t a
model for freedom of speech, but rather the ALA has gone in for some serious
mislabeling here. It has misleadingly categorized the week — a serious charge
when you remember that librarians are supposed to be accurate catalogers and
labelers of things.
In all honesty, where do censorship and book banning really stand in America?
Well, very few — if any — books in this country are currently banned. You can
buy almost any title that you want, download a multitude of information from the
Web if you need to, and you can check out all sorts of things at your public
library. Nor is censorship dangerously on the rise, as the ALA would have you
believe.
The difference between what is true and what the week’s promoters claim stems
from their exaggerated notions of what constitutes censorship. In the eyes of
the ALA and its Office for Intellectual Freedom, any kind of challenge to a book
may be considered an effort at banning and any kind of complaint about a title
is called an attempt at unconscionable censorship. For a book to be labeled a
banned book in their mind, someone needs only question its place in a given
library’s collection, or wonder openly if a specific title belongs in the
children’s section. To be labeled a censor, one has only to suggest in public
that a book may not be appropriate in a given high school English class for any
number of reasons.
Let’s get real. Such challenges are not attempts at censorship, and such
complaints about books used in a classroom are not truly efforts to have certain
titles banned. The people involved in these controversies about what students
are required to read are merely speaking their minds, and no matter how much I
disagree with their beliefs, they have a right to argue their point. These
people should be able to speak up without fear of being branded enemies of the
Republic or being chastised as censors of great literature.
Parents who challenge the inclusion of a given text in a specific high school
class and citizens who openly protest a book’s inclusion in a library’s
collection are only speaking out about things that they believe in. It is an
American tradition and one that we should encourage as much as we can. It does
not make sense to ban free speech in the name of free speech. Let people speak
out about what they care about, without being branded a censor or labeled a book
banner.
Those who actually are out to ban books from high school libraries and
classrooms, on the other hand, are no better than the radicals on the other
side. These people second-guess those individuals that we have entrusted with
our children’s education on an almost constant basis. Teachers continuously
rethink their materials, and sometimes they do so in response to comments or
other reactions from students and parents. Perhaps if students were no longer
motivated by a particular book, or failed to relate to its message, it would
have been dropped from the curriculum long ago. But that is not usually the
case. If the book has been successfully used in a class for ten years, why
should a single parent’s complaint trigger a series of events ending in that
book’s removal?
If that is the case then out the window goes the notion that reading almost
anything – whether you like it or approve of it or agree with it – can be
instructional, if handled properly. Should children not be taught about the
Holocaust because we find it represents depraved conduct? If that is to be the
case, then pictures of lynching should also be banned simply because they are
offensive and terrifying. History can, without a doubt, be gruesome and even
disturbing, but how can we expect our children to make decisions about the
future without knowing the mistakes of the past? History is different, some
might say, because those things really happened. But fiction has equally
important lessons to convey, due to the fact that it provides us with other
perspectives on things that happen in life, or might happen. Stories can
represent the writer’s effort to make meaning out of confusing events, meet
difficult challenges, or simply entertain. As with history, one does not have to
like the message or even agree with it to learn something from it. Sometimes,
the most educational books are the ones we dislike, because we are forced to
think hard about why we think and feel the way we do.
Removing a book from the required reading list is censorship, pure and
simple. This is true even if other books could be equally good teaching tools
and even though the book will continue to be available as optional reading. The
teachers in towns where books are banned from their lists of available teaching
tools must feel professionally undermined and personally abandoned. Ironically,
the more difficult the subject matter and content of a book, the more desirable
it is that students read it under the direction of a teacher and have an
opportunity to discuss it and ask questions in an environment where they are
comfortable. Classic books are among the most frequently challenged books for
young adults, according to the American Library Association, and all of them
have serious literary themes and educational value. Regrettably, it’s the kids
in the public schools who are likely to suffer the most – what they’ll get for
required reading will be only the blandest, most conventional, books that nobody
could possibly object to. Boring.
In short, the American Library Association and their counterparts need to
lighten up. At the very least, they should rename their week. Those out to ban
and censor books from our classrooms based on completely uneducated rumors and
page scanning for cuss words and sexually explicit content should back off. I
agree that censorship in totality is wrong, but I also do not see how a group
that claims to stand for freedom of speech can attempt to silence those who
utilize the very right that they claim to stand for. As anyone can see, Banned
Book Week isn’t really about banned books. Banning books isn’t really about
protecting our children. It’s about feeling like we are in control of our
children’s lives when it should be about a few people having differing opinions
and caring enough to make those opinions known. The nation could use a lot more
of that, not less.
Другие работы по теме:
High Schools Should Not Rely On Standard
Achievement Scores Essay, Research Paper High Schools Should not use Standardized Achievement Scores to Determine Whether Students Should be Promoted, Without Regard to Course Grades
Censorship Essay Research Paper The negative messages
Censorship Essay, Research Paper The negative messages kids receive via the media have a damaging affect on their psyche and can create serious societal problems. In truth “[t]he violence to which American children are exposed in the name of
Press Censorship Essay Research Paper There are
Press Censorship Essay, Research Paper There are many kinds of censorship within our school system. Such as press Censorship, we aren’t aloud to express freely among our school?s newspaper nor
Naivete Is Not The Answer Essay Research
Paper Naivet is Not the Answer Many high schools across the country have been considering whether to distribute condoms in public schools. Some feel that it would not be appropriate because it would promote sexual activity, while others believe that condom distribution will encourage sexually active students to use protection.
Censorship Essay Research Paper I did my
Censorship Essay, Research Paper I did my report on the First Amendment. The First Amendment of the United States states that, “Congress shall make no law against the freedom of speech, nor of the press.” However, the list of banned books in public schools and libraries is astonishing. Most people against literary censorship act with what they beleive to be highest cause: protecting their families as well as their communities from evil.
Internet Censorship Essay Research Paper Censorship of
Internet Censorship Essay, Research Paper Censorship of inappropriate material has been an issue with every form of mass media. Now the new and upcoming Internet is becoming the focus. Software makers and service providers are choosing what the public should see. Does this seem right? How can a stranger choose what another person or their family sees on the Internet? Parents and adults should choose what they and their children are exposed to on the Internet.
Fahrenheit 451 Essay Research Paper In the
Fahrenheit 451 Essay, Research Paper In the book Fahrenheit 451 the theme is a society/world that revolves around being basically brain washed or programmed because of the lack of people not thinking for themselves concerning the loss of knowledge, and imagination from books that don’t exist to them. In such stories as the Kurt Vonnegut’s "You have insulted me letter" also involving censorship to better society from vulgarity and from certain aspects of life that could be seen as disruptive to day to day society which leads to censorship of language and books.
Race Essay Research Paper CensorshipIn many cities
Race Essay, Research Paper Censorship In many cities in the United States there are few efforts being made to stop the over-use of searing in public and to stop the indecent exposure. Ordinances are being set up to stop swearing in public, but it is not being enforced.
Changes In Education Essay Research Paper There
Changes In Education Essay, Research Paper There are many significant events in the world of education. Each one changed the way that teachers taught; the way schools were run and what they learned. To this day, something new and exciting happens all the time.
Commercials Essay Research Paper In every young
Commercials Essay, Research Paper In every young person life there are certain critical decisions that must be made. One of the more important of the many is the choice to resume education after high school. After that decision is made the choice of which college to go to comes into play. In making this decision you must first do research on schools that interest you, you must visit these campuses, and last you must apply to the schools of your choice.
Prayer In Schools Essay Research Paper We
Prayer In Schools Essay, Research Paper We are guaranteed by the first amendment the right for freedom of religion. By this right, we as American citizens should be allowed to have prayer in the public schools and teachers should be allowed to teach religion courses trough the high school years. We should also be able to talk about religion in and out of our classes.
Is Censorship Wrong And Cynical Essay Research
Paper Music, movies, and books should not be censored. Authors deliberately create to express themselves through these things. In consequence of censorship, the public would not be able to receive the main idea of the product for which it was intended. However there are opinions and facts that support both sides to this controversy.
Censorship Essay Research Paper CensorshipSince the beginning
Censorship Essay, Research Paper Censorship Since the beginning of art and entertainment society has tried to censor the public from the so called ?influences? of art, television, movies, and music. Censorship is suppose to protect the children from seeing form of sex, violence, profanity and drugs. If its suppose to protect the children from seeing these thing why do I see so many children doing those things.
Censorship Essay Research Paper Probably the most
Censorship Essay, Research Paper Probably the most obvious example of intolerance in our society today is the existence of censorship. I have yet to encounter a valid argument for any form of censorship. Such arguments as are presented invariably take the form of concern for the well being of others , children frequently being the alleged victims quoted .
Prayer In Schools Essay Research Paper Prayer
Prayer In Schools Essay, Research Paper Prayer in Schools I feel prayer should be re-established in America’s schools. There is a strong belief in God by the government, so our schools should also support that idea. Many use prayer as a guidance tool. It gives a lot of students something to believe in and a sense of hope.
Public Vs Private Essay Research Paper In
Public Vs Private Essay, Research Paper In the world today many parents ponder the thought whether private schools are better than public schools. They decide what would be better for their children. When they do this they ponder many different things like what would be academically better for my son or daughter or which would be safest and some people even would send their son or daughter to a school just for athletics.
Dress Codes In Schools Essay Research Paper
Dress Codes in Schools All public schools in America should have a relaxed dress code. Schools have many rules and guidelines. How students dress should not have to be included within those rules.
Dress Code Essay Research Paper At the
Dress Code Essay, Research Paper At the beginning of the 20th century there wasn’t much discussion about the dress code in schools. During that time kids weren’t dressing so provocative. Now that we are so close to the 21st century. There is a big controversy between the students and the schools about the dress code especially in public schools.
American Education Essay Research Paper As far
American Education Essay, Research Paper As far as the world standard goes, American public education is near the top of the ladder. But, when you compare the education here to other first world countries, we fall way short. This is not to say that all public schooling institutions are of poor quality, though, because there are many public schools in America that do provide quality education.
Censorship On Freedom Of Speech Essay Research
Paper In my research, I found out that censorship goes against our freedom of speech. According to the American Civil Liberties Union, censorship would shut out parents from deciding what television programming is acceptable for their children, and giving that right to bureaucrats and to executives.
Letter On Censorship Essay Research Paper Dear
Letter On Censorship Essay, Research Paper Dear Mr Smith,I am writing to you on the subject of censorship. It is my belief that the laws governing film censorship should be more versatile.Children of today are becoming mature and adult-like at an
Censorship Essay Research Paper Why There Should
Censorship Essay, Research Paper Why There Should be Censorship Censorship is the examination of material for objectionable matter. It is used to keep material from influencing people the wrong
Education In England Essay Research Paper England
Education In England Essay, Research Paper England has one of the finest educational system in the world. All English children between ages 5-16 must attend school. About 90 percent of the students go to schools supported entirely or partly by public funds. The rest of the students attend private schools.
Public School Vs Private School Essay Research
Paper Which is better Public or Private schools? This is a common question that parents ask themselves today. Hopes for the best possible education drives schools, teachers, and parents to create better fields and means in which to thrive, and keep up in today?s society. As the major differences between these two is organization and funding; private schools are funded by student tuition costs, which can add up to substantially, more than public schools.
Public Vs Private Essay Research Paper Private
Public Vs. Private Essay, Research Paper Private vs. Public By Wes Paul When we started talking about private vs. public schools in class a lot of feelings were running high I thought. I also thought that not enough of us knew enough to make a knowledgeable judgment. Here is some pro and cons to let you know the truths about private schools and maybe some falsehoods you thought to be true.
Private Schools VS Public Schools Essay Research
Paper Private Schools VS. Public Schools Parents often wonder how to start off their children?s education. Depending on ones religion or beliefs a private or public school is a choose most parents face. Of course, each school offers it?s own pros and con?s the choice is simple. Public schools offer the best well rounding of a student.
Extending The Academic Year Essay Research Paper
Extending the Academic Year There have been many discussions about whether or not the academic school year should be extended for high school students. Some think it will better prepare them for college; and others think that it won’t make a difference if the school year is extended. The school year shouldn’t be dragged on any longer than it already is.
Money In Schools Essay Research Paper I
Money In Schools Essay, Research Paper I think that money is a key factor today in American schools. For instance, if you take a kid who has been going to a wealthy school, and a kid who has been going to a deprived school, test show that the student from the wealthy school is more likely to succeed, on top of graduating high school.
Censorship Hiding Reality Essay Research Paper Censorship
Censorship: Hiding Reality Essay, Research Paper Censorship: Hiding Reality Charles Bradlaugh revealed the reality of censorship beautifully when he stated, “Without free speech no search for truth is possible…no discovery of truth is useful…Better a thousandfold abuse free speech than denial of free speech.
Safe Sex Or Is It Essay Research
Paper Safe Sex. Or is it? The number of teenagers having sex is increasing every year. With sexually transmitted diseases prevalent more than ever, thePhiladelphia Board of Education has decided to allow high schoolsto distribute condoms to students. The board of Education isdoing this, to demonstrate to students that safe sex is a goodidea.
Bush Essay Research Paper Governor Bush will
Bush Essay, Research Paper Governor Bush will reform the nation?s public schools, as he has in Texas, which is one of two states that have made the greatest recent progress in education. He will close the achievement gap, set high standards, promote character education, and ensure school safety. States will be offered freedom from federal regulation, but will be held accountable for results.
Private Education Essay Research Paper Nelson JL
Private Education Essay, Research Paper Nelson, J.L., Carlson, K., & Palonsky, S.B. (1993). Private schools: Essential or undemocratic. In Critical issues in education (pp. 63-78). New York: McGraw-Hill,