Book Banning
Many parents believe that banning of books only affects the learning of their students when in fact, banning of books affects the learning of other students as well. There are a lot of parents who believe that what students read about in class may not be appropriate because of its content. When a parent tries to interfere with his/her child's right to read, I think it affects that student as well as other students, which I feel becomes censorship. Censorship has become a major problem in many schools throughout the United States. In the 14th annual report Attacks on the Freedom to Learn published by People for the American Way, there is an annual survey of censorship, and also attempted censorship, in national public schools that has statistics on the number of books being banned. For the 1993-1994 school year, the survey reported there were 462 challenges to curriculum and texts, which is the most in the 12 years the report has been published. One hundred fifty-seven of those challenges against curriculum and texts were successful (Gartner A13). One of the most controversial books, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, written by Mark Twain, is a good example of a book that was challenged in 1994.
What some critics don't think about is that even though these books have this kind of content, there are real life situations discussed in each book. This teaches students to not be afraid to have friends who are of different race. All fifth and sixth grade science textbooks were confiscated so that pages dealing with the" Big Bang Theory" could be glued together so that the students would not be exposed to this theory ("Superintendent Orders" 1). Rowling, Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, and, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a classic American story that contains many valuable lessons. Marshall County superintendent Kenneth Shadowen didn't want students exposed to textbooks, containing information on the formation of the universe. Some of the controversial content in this book might give students an idea of how it was in the late 1800's. Instead of banning a book because of some of its content, teachers should point out the friendship between Huck and Jim, which is the most important thing to remember after reading the book. There is a difference between involvement and censorship. For example, how Huck didn't see Jim as a slave but as a good friend. When these types of bannings happen, it might make students feel that they can't read certain textbooks containing subjects they might want to learn about. Huck would rather risk eternal torment, than betray his black friend and companion, Jim ("Poor Huck" A23). I feel this type of banning is censorship.
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Acceptance Essays
