The prohibition and purge against literature are interpreted in many different ways. The censorship of anything has its distinct level of significance to each individual. To some, the action of suppressing speech or writing is seen as a means for good or deemed as a violation of rights. The line between concealing certain works of literature is determined by how far an author expresses themselves according to their own beliefs. The censorship and destruction of books should not be allowed or taken lightly in the United States because it spires a growing population's right to be constantly violated, the act of doing so limits citizens’ knowledge, and it incites a positive effect on those who read literature deemed controversial.
Over the past decades, the censorship and destruction of literature have been prevalent in the United States as well as the world since 399 B.C. The act of banning a work of literature ranging from nudity, profanity, racism, and controversial topics. The censure of art is a limit of freedom and self-expression. The precedent of censure that allows officials to legally ban books was put into effect in 1982 in the Islands Trees School District V Pico case. The case comes to a definite conclusion that school officials or libraries may remove a work of literature if seen as inappropriate by their eyes. The majority of the books taken out of public libraries are done so stealthy that no one will oppose or even be aware of its restriction.
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The censure of books is mostly targeted in public libraries and whole districts. Parents are a major component and advocate against the books that they perceive as inadequate for their children. Working hard to prohibit content that alludes to controversy or topics that are important today. The American Library Association, 'Each year, … records hundreds of attempts by individuals and groups to have books removed from libraries shelves and from classrooms.' At some point, the classic works of literature praised today were once banned too. The Great Gatsby, The Catcher in the Rye, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Lord of the Flies, 1984, Of Mice and Men, and Animal Farm are a few of the classics that were and are still challenged today. The act of prohibiting and censoring any kind of thing is technically against the First Amendment. 'Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or 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 of grievances.' ( Amendment 1). The First Amendment allows individuals the right to freely speak out, publish, view, and read as they wish, regarding any form of content. Simply because parents or adults condemn a piece of literature as unappealing to society does not mean it should be prohibited to everyone in the district.
The court case of Board of Education v Pico issued the problem of the First Amendment being violated in the censorship of books in local libraries in both junior and high school. The books that were banned were for the reasons of them being 'anti-American, anti-Christian, and Anti-Sementic' as stated by Oyez. The court's final decision was in favor of the Board of Education. It deemed that the actions of censorship were against the Constitution and therefore a violation of the First Amendment. The court case landed upon the Supreme Court which stated its final word of removing books off school grounds was unconstitutional. Justice Brennan, an advocate against censorship stated 'Local school boards may not remove books from school libraries simply because they dislike the ideas contained in those books.' (Freedom Forum Institute)
It is a dangerous thing to attempt to silence the words of millions. To hide and even prohibit the voices and feelings of the people is an extremely alarming thing to do. In the article 'F.L.A Teens Write on the Dangers of Book Burning' by the National Coalition Against Censorship it states that those who burn books 'hoped to control the population through the destruction of their past.' The destruction of books leaves a blind eye to the errors of the past. Literature is a foundation on how a new era is commenced and founded. It gives everyone an understanding and knowledge of how society was perceived and structured back then. It also explained that in doing so is an 'attempt at shaping the public'. The power to control people is in knowledge. The destruction of books is and should therefore be seen as a danger to society.
The destruction and censorship of literary works have occurred over centuries and more often than one thinks. In the article ' A Brief History of Book Burning, From the Printing Press to Internet Archives' Boissoneault explains that 'books and libraries have been targeted by people of all backgrounds.' In times of war, books, and knowledge have always been a means of destruction. The censure of books goes back as far as the Qin Dynasty in China to the Nazis in Germany. The first thing is controlled by dictators and corrupt regimes because of how much power knowledge holds. It explains the intention of regimes to 'wipe out' literature. The reasoning behind their motive abundantly clear over the years. The destruction and censorship of books should never be allowed in the first place.
The majority of the books that are challenged today deal with topics such as racism, police brutality, and the LGBT community. In the Texas District, recently the novel The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas was banned. The novel deals with the prevalent topic of police brutality against African Americans. The Texas District deemed it anti-cop and helped place the novel as one of the Top Ten Most Challenged Books 2018. Parents worry that these topics are too harsh and inadequate for children to read. Several studies have shown that when children read banned books they generally receive a more positive connotation than a negative one. People who read censored works of literature tend to be more perceptive and knowledgeable of controversy. They also are seen to become more advocates against injustices and have a standard position in the argument at hand.
Reading books that are censored has a positive effect on children rather than a negative effect. A book series that today is becoming more and more challenging is the Harry Potter series. It is being targeted for its mention of magic and its affiliation with the devil. Harsher topics such as prevalent topics that create controversy are being banned or even destroyed. Empathy is an emotion that should be gathered among everyone. With books and literature, both sides of the topic are heard and voiced. As Neil Gaiman, author of the frequently challenged novel Neverwhere, has stated, books 'build empathy... You get to feel things and visit places and worlds you would never otherwise know. You learn that everyone else out there is me, as well. You're being someone else, and when you return to your world, you're going to be slightly changed. Empathy is a tool for building people into groups, for allowing us to function as more than self-obsessed individuals.' Literature opens the doors inside the minds of individuals with different views and positions.
However, some might argue that the censorship of literature is necessary when in school districts and dealing with novels that expose sexual behavior. Sexual inappropriateness and crude language that is too raunchy to be placed in an educational environment. Many are concerned that it may promote or glorify the act of sexual behavior at a young age. However, many adults should recognize the importance of high schools having books that incorporate sexual activities. It helps educate young individuals about the importance of protection and pregnancy. The teens may be more informed about the fact that sex is normal. Many who are afraid or even embarrassed to ask about sexual activities or safety would be informed through literature that writes about it.
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