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Essays on banned books
Role of media in education
Essays on banned books
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The dispute of whether banned books should be taught has been debated for years upon years. Although there is a simple solution that allows each individual to decide whether or not they are exposed to these “evil” banned books. This simple solution encompasses the creation of an optional class that’s curriculum is based on books that have been challenged or that are or have been banned. This class would still complete the obligatory state standards, which would make it equal to a normal English class. This is a simple middle ground in which these banned books can still be taught with the lessened concern of offending students, parents, etc. Censorship is the act of strictly examining books, movies, and other media and suppressing unacceptable parts. But this implores the question, who attains the right to decide what is acceptable and what is not? Kenneth Donelson, author of “A Few Safe Assumptions about Censorship and the Censor,” bluntly declares that any book, idea, teaching method, etc. could be censored by anyone, anywhere, anytime, for any reason (1973). This idea that anybody and everybody can censor anything and everything for whatever reason puts any and every book, movie, etc. in danger. Many sources of media are censored for what seem like illogical or even …show more content…
To do this, it is important to educate them about the world around them. One way to accomplish this with the inclusion of banned books is to create a class that’s curriculum is based solely on banned and challenged books. Teaching banned books offers a realistic approach to how the world exists. “Banned Books: A Study of Censorship” by Jennifer Rossuck is a perfect example of how to create a class based around banned books. Rossuck plainly lays out her lesson plan, and explains how each banned book is learned and overall beneficial. Rossuck’s first unit is based on Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit
Censorship is a shroud for the intolerable, a withdrawal from the cold truths of humanity, and ultimately, the suppression of expression. When a book such as The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is banned in classrooms, students are not only stripped of an enriching work of literature, but also consequently stripped of the cultural and moral awareness required to survive in a world stained with imperfection and strewn with atrocity.
Maya Angelou’s I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings is oftentimes banned for depicting rape, as well as being “anti-white.” John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men is discriminated against for containing too much profanity. The anonymously-written Go Ask Alice has been shunned for portraying drug use, sexual situations, and profanity. (Kelly) Other than being banned, though, these books all have something more in common; they are classic works that have timeless, moralistic value. They each tell a message. Their messages couldn’t possibly be conveyed in their original, meaningful essences if the contents of the books were to be altered or removed from society all together. Therefore, children and adults alike would miss out on countless opportunities to expand their enlightenment.
In the article, “How They Do It”, Chris Crutcher argues that books should not be censored by school officials just because an angry parent disfavors the books; Crutcher especially thinks this because these books are helping kids learn and relate to the real world. Crutcher strengthens his argument by using personal experiences, biased opinion, and sarcasm.
In this look at the language of censorship, we must first define censorship, who does the censoring, and why. These will be the first three spotlights for looking at the language of censorship. Then, we will look at how teachers, especially teachers of literature and the language arts are affected by censorship. Finally, we will preview how censorship can be taught in the classroom, to prevent some of tomorrow's censorship cases.
In old times, censorships’ definition was to suppress or restrict any kind of books, articles, journals, art, even speeches and any other forms of expression that were believed to go against religious, political, moral and social beliefs usually held by powerful leading groups, such as governments, businesses and churches. Our society has thankfully evolved since those times and censorship now is used not to prohibit, but to supervise and narrow specific contents that may not be necessary or appropriate to some groups or places, within the guidelines of our law. Censorship in a way is necessary mostly in our schools, not to control and restrict the learning environment, but to make the information and ideas delivered to children more focused on important material that will give them knowledge for their future and shape their personalities and opinions.
From children’s books to great American classic books have been banned in schools and libraries all over the nation and the globe. Books like Lolita, Where the Wild Things Are, To Kill a Mockingbird and, The Scarlet Letter is only a few of thousands of records that have been banned in schools and libraries, even rural areas worldwide. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Autobiography of Malcom X, Beloved, Fahrenheit 451, and Gone with the Wind are some of the books that have bee...
For many years, classic books have been on the banned book list. These classics include Moby Dick, The Great Gatsby, To Kill a Mockingbird, Huckleberry Finn, and many others. Most often these novels are on the banned list due to sexual language, racial insults, religious prejudice or supposed advancement of witchcraft. Although some consider these novels as provocative or inappropriate, these novels have been influential in educating students about historical world affairs, as well as, important morals and values. While people feel controversial American literature is not necessary in educating young adults, it is beneficial to develop a deeper understanding of American history.
(“Banned Books and Authors”). Harry Hoffman, president of Walden Book Co., Inc., is accurate in this regard. When books are censored or banned, they are not eliminated from society; however, their message emanates to create an impact. Even if the public conceals the content in these books, the victims that these censors sequester from these works are rarely unexposed to what is being censored to them. By challenging or attempting to ban a book, more attention is drawn to that distinct book, so society is more likely to read it.
Every year books are banned from being read in public schools and libraries. Why would schools ban books that are important to literature? Don’t books help students increase their knowledge in all areas of literature? Public schools are banning books due to their inappropriate actions, words being used, and them being challenging for most students to read. Instead of reading these kinds of books, they choose to pick safer and non-challenging books for their students.
This article emphasizes the point that censors go too far when they attempt to not only ban a book for their own children but want to remove it altogether from a school library, so that other students cannot read it.
The term "censorship" originates from the Latin censere, "to give as one's opinion, to assess" (Culture Shock: Who Decides? How and Why?: Definitions of Censorship). In contrast to this seemingly simple definition, contemporary usage offers no agreed-upon definition of the term or its' appropriate usage, most specifically concerning the highly conteste...
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.
Books allow authors to express their thoughts, teach generations, and entertain the world with remarkable nonfictional and fictitious stories from the past, present, and future. Each story has its own ability to expand a reader’s knowledge and create a world full of possibilities and imagination. However, there is a thin line between what books are acceptable and inappropriate in the American education system, causing many books to be challenged. Book censoring is an act that removes offensive materials from circulation, which creates confrontations and curriculum modifications in American schools. To understand the purpose of book censorship and its impact on American education, this essay will examine why books are challenged in schools and
The subject of censorship is a very controversial one, especially the banning of books. Many people believe they must protect themselves and others from the "evils" of many classic books and works of art because they can be deemed "indecent" in one way or another. Many believe that this is absurd and censorship in its current form is a violation of our First Amendment right to free speech. Personally, I align myself with the latter, however I do feel there are occasions where censorship is justifiable.
The librarian would not want a book about how to be a terrorist in the school library. Banning books from school libraries does not mean you can’t write and publish a certain book, it means that the school don’t want that book in the school libraries. Certain book provides encouragement of damaging lifestyles. There are books out there that contained sexual materials and inappropriate dialogues. The materials in some of the books are unsuited to certain age groups. Moreover, some books violate racial themes and ethics. People who disagree would say that banning books violates the First amendment, and it’s anti-education. You still can read those books, but outside of school. School libraries should be allowed to have a list of banned books