Banning Books 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
A minority ends up dictating the silent majority. 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. The result, however; is always and ever the denial of another's right to read. 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. A better approach is to understand that this book may help them examine other beliefs, attitudes, values, and traditions and to accept, tolerate, or even reject these ideas without prejudices against people who hold particular views. Also Harry Potter for encouraging witchcraft, sorcery, and Satanism. There is no rational excuse for a school library to ban a book at the request of a "concerned" parent. The danger is mind control especially when that control is exercised by a few over the majority" (qtd. 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. One man in South Carolina has gone so far as to demand that the Bible be placed on an adult's only shelf of the library because parts are too graphic for young children (Hunt 89). Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide students with knowledge and enlightenment. The "tyrant" simply chooses to pull that book from the shelves of knowledge, and the students right of the First Amendment is violated (Appendix A). A wide range on all points of view should be available to the public.
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Acceptance Essays
