Censorship In School Libraries
opinionated Essay
1440 words
Censorship 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 of grievances.”
Freedom of expression is an inalienable human right and the foundation for self-government. Freedom of expression defines the freedoms of speech, press, religion, assembly, association, and the corollary right to receive information. Human rights and intellectual independence; the two are inseparably linked. Freedom of opinion and determining what you want to read is not derived from or dependent on any form of government or political power. This right is inherent in every individual. The power of freedom cannot be yielded, nor can it be denied. True justice comes from the exercise of rights.
Students enjoy going to the library and being able to read what they want to read, without any indecision. As soon as a censor claims a book should be censored, the student’s hope of reading that book is diminished. Censorship, ignorance, and limitations on the free flow of information are the tools of dictatorship and oppression. 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).
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.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the most debatable and controversial form of censorship today is the banning of books in school libraries.
- Opines that the first amendment of the constitution is the most important and debatable of them all.
- Explains that freedom of expression is an inalienable human right and the foundation for self-government. human rights and intellectual independence are inseparably linked.
- Explains that the power of freedom cannot be yielded, nor can it be denied. true justice comes from the exercise of rights.
- Opines that censorship, ignorance, and limitations on the free flow of information are the tools of dictatorship and oppression.
- Explains that 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.
- Opines that the children of today are in danger of being 'protected' from a lot of great literature.
- Explains that homosexual books are a target for censorship in schools. a republican state legislator introduced 'no promo homo' bill that would make it felony for anyone to provide minors with books that show alternative lifestyles without their parents' consent.
- Explains what he meant by "alternate lifestyles," although a parent testifying in favor of the bill said she was alarmed that books such as leslea newman's, heather has two mommies are available in school libraries.
- Opines that school libraries are stations for information and ideas. books and other library materials should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all students in the school.
- Opines that there is no rational excuse for a school library to ban books at the request of 'concerned' parents.
- Explains that would-be banners act with what they consider to be the highest intents protecting themselves, their families, and communities from perceived oppressions and preserving values and ideals.
- Explains that the censors are mostly parents and other community residents of all backgrounds, political and religious beliefs, who are concerned about the reading habits of today's children.
- Opines that the most effective antidote to the poison of mindless orthodoxy is ready access to a broad sweep of ideas and philosophies.
- Argues that the only logical reasoning to aid in what offends people is to completely eliminate the book from the library. it may help them examine other beliefs, attitudes, values, and traditions.
- Opines that the right to choose what we read is one of our most cherished freedoms. restraints on literature set the stage for attacks on all expression that is artistic or politically controversial.
- Analyzes how george orwell's classic 1984 painted a bleak picture of mind-controlled, book burning society in which creative thinking was forbidden.
Related
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- Censorship in the Classroomanalytical essaySex. Politics. Religion. The big three: a work of literature is often considered controversial because of its statement about or use of these topics. What makes these and other areas so touchy in the classroom? Why do some parents and concerned community members want controversial materials out of the classroom?
In this essay, the author
- Explains that a work of literature is often considered controversial because of its statement about or use of these topics.
- Describes how they read judy blume, the hobbit and sounder, and my brother sam is dead in elementary school.
- Explains that sex, politics, religion, obscenity, and trash are censored in language arts classrooms, but only half of all american school districts have a book selection policy.
- Argues that censors are often trying to fight against a weakness they find in themselves.
- Cites angelou, maya, donelson, dority, fine, dr. sara, foerstel, herbert, noll, elizabeth, and copeland.
2776 wordsRead More - Pros And Cons Of Book Censorshipanalytical essayTo Be or Not To Be Censored Censoring Material is a common occurrence in America. parents are worried what there children are seeing and hearing and how these materials are affecting these young minds. There's is Pros and cons to censoring materials. These pros and cons affect many. Many adults and children don’t know the history of censorship or even what censorship is.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that censorship is a common occurrence in america. people and groups can choose to try and get materials they don’t agree with banned or they can challenge the materials.
- Explains that the united states of america uses censorship as a way of protecting its citizens.
- Explains that many are in favor of censorship for a multitude of reasons. racial issues, sexual situations, violence or negativity, and religious affiliations are common reasons for books to be banned or challenged.
- Explains that with more internet access, it becomes increasingly difficult for parents to supervise and restrict children from materials deemed unfit. cyberporn is easily found with the typing of simple keywords.
- Analyzes how the first amendment states that the people have the right of freedom of speech and press. censorship is a nationwide topic.
- Explains that many books that once were banned for any number of reasons have had the ban dropped due to a change in judgement.
- Analyzes how "i know why the caged bird sings" is an autobiography over the life of maya angelou. huckleberry finn is one of the most challenged books because of twain's use of "nigger".
1319 wordsRead More - Why Should Books Be Bannedopinionated essay“Never underestimate a blank piece of paper in the right hands, because words are how we live – and for some of us, they’re why we live” (Leigh, 2014). Book censorship is the suppression of books considered objectionable, harmful, sensitive, or inconvenient. Most people who want the books ban say that the books need to be censored because of sexuality, race, drugs, or social standings. However, books make you think, fantasize, and use your imagination. When you read you end up with a larger vocabulary, and a better thinking process. When a book is banned it discourages creativeness, and critical
In this essay, the author
- Explains that banning books goes against the first amendment, restricts learning, and discourages creative and critical thinking. banned books are books that have been censored by an authority.
- Explains that the first amendment gives us our right to free speech, which includes the rights to read and write books that may be too violent, offensive or hateful for others.
- Opines that while the first amendment gives us the right to free speech, some people believe that censorship is needed in some cases.
- Opines that a ban on books restricts learning and violates the academic freedom and diversity of thought.
- Opines that it is not against the law for a book to be challenged or banned because it's the right for people to see them as inappropriate.
- Explains that book censorship is the suppression of books considered objectionable, harmful, sensitive, or inconvenient.
- Opines that some books are too advanced and inappropriate for schools to have in their libraries. some believe that it is wrong for a child to read books with sex, drugs and racism in them.
- Opines that book banning violates academic freedom and diversity of thought, but some think it is wrong for children to learn about sex, and slavery.
1037 wordsRead More - Censorship in Schoolsanalytical essayCensorship in Schools According to “Freedom of Speech” by Gerald Leinwand, Abraham Lincoln once asked, “Must a government, of necessity, be too strong for the liberties of its people, or too weak to maintain its own existence (7)?” This question is particularly appropriate when considering what is perhaps the most sacred of all our Constitutionally guaranteed rights, freedom of expression. Lincoln knew well the potential dangers of expression, having steered the Union through the bitterly divisive Civil War, but he held the Constitution dear enough to protect its promises whenever possible (8). Issues of censorship in public schools are contests between the exercise of discretion and the exercise of a Constitutional right. The law must reconcile conflicting claims of liberty and authority, as expressed by Supreme Court Justice Felix Frankfurter in Minersville School District v. Gobitis, 1940 in “Banned in the U.S.A.: A Reference Guide to Book Censorship in Schools and Public Libraries” by Herbert N. Foerstel (23).
In this essay, the author
- Opines that lincoln's question is appropriate when considering freedom of expression, which is perhaps the most sacred of all our constitutionally guaranteed rights.
- Explains that issues of censorship in public schools are contests between the exercise of discretion and a constitutional right. the law must reconcile conflicting claims of liberty and authority, as expressed by supreme court justice felix frankfurter in minersville school district
- Explains that minersville provides a very interesting backdrop to subsequent cases with graver overtones of censorship. the father of lillian and william gobitis, on their behalf, brought the case against the public schools.
- Analyzes how the case appears to be a one-sided violation of the first amendment as incorporated through the fourteenth amendment, but the court was different.
- Explains that the minersville decision finds that national unity is an interest "inferior to none in the hierarchy of legal values" because it is the basis for natural security and the guarantee of liberty.
- Explains that the flag is the symbol of our national unity, transcending all internal differences, however large, within the framework of the constitution.
- Analyzes how frankfurter reduced the active issue to whether a governmental authority was justified in determining appropriate methods to evoke and recognize the glorious and liberating national sentiment.
- Opines that personal freedom is best maintained when it is ingrained in a people's habits and not enforced against popular policy by the coercion of adjudicated law.
- Explains that the west virginia legislature passed a law requiring all schools to incorporate history and other civic-minded courses into their curriculum. the supreme court overturned minersville, despite the objections of the still-sitting frankfurter.
- Analyzes how justice jackson removed the legal analysis from the arena of national security and self-preservation into which frankfurter had wandered.
- Analyzes how jackson refuted frankfurter's opinion that ensuring rights are secure diminishes fear and jealousy of strong government. barnette countered that the constitution is to protect citizens from local, in addition to federal, government
- Analyzes how jackson's statement contrasts with the mentality driving the gobitis decision. frankfurter argued that liberty, in general, was secondary to the ultimate authority of the legal power that guaranteed it.
- Analyzes how jackson maintained that while nationalism was a relatively recent phenomenon, similar efforts to "compel coherence" such as the roman attempt to exterminate christianity and the spanish inquisition, ended uniformly in failure.
- Explains that major conflicts of expression and authority in public forums did not again populate the supreme court docket for another twenty years. with the outbreak of a considerably less popular war in vietnam, protests began to boil over.
- Explains that circuit court of appeals judge gewin affirmed district court judge william harold cox's order on july 21, 1966, denying an injunction requested by blackwell and appellants.
- Explains that the blackwell case arises from a 1965 effort by students at henry weathers high school in issaquena county.
- Explains that 150 students wore the buttons to school the following monday, distributing similar buttons freely and pinning them on students who had not requested one. this activity created a state of confusion, disrupted class instruction, and caused the principal to assemble the students in the cafeteria.
- Explains that over 200 students returned to school wearing buttons the next day and were informed that refusal to remove the buttons would result in suspension. disturbances and distributions continued throughout the week.
- Explains that the district judge denied a request for an injunction to compel the school board to admit the students and allow them to wear the buttons as long as no disturbance was caused.
- Explains that gewin's distinction allowed him to declare that the first amendment does not confer "an absolute right to speak" and that "the law recognizes that there can be an abuse of such freedom."
- Opines that it is always within the province of school authorities to provide by regulation the prohibition and punishment of acts calculated to undermine the school routine.
- Opines that the decision handed down in blackwell did not negate, deny or diminish the students' constitutional right to freedom of expression.
- Analyzes the conflict between establishment and free speech in mcgowen's "the great monkey trial: science vs. fundamentalism in america".
- Explains that the school district developed a new procedure policy for non-school written materials between april and june of 1990. slotterback continued to pass out his fliers and booklets, without apparent disruption.
- Explains that the court's reasoning draws heavily from a field of law referred to as "forum analysis." the cornerstone case of most forum analysis is tinker v. des moines independent community school district, 1969.
- Explains the supreme court's decision that school authorities did not have sufficient reason to anticipate that the wearing of the armbands would become a disturbance and upheld the primacy of students' first amendment rights.
- Analyzes how the slotterback decision discussed "traditional public forum" because ishs was not a "typical" public school. tinker and the rest of the body of standing forum analysis were ruled irrelevant.
- Analyzes how the supreme court ruled that slotterback's content-neutral regulations requiring advance approval of material by the high school principal were "facially invalid."
- Explains that in 1997, the illinois state legislature passed house bill 154, which would have allowed censorship only if it is libelous, obscene or harmful to minors, an unwarranted invasion of privacy, or an expression which causes imminent lawless action.
- Opines that the case in illinois shows that concerns about the fundamental discrepancy between a government's authority and what that government guarantees are still being resolved.
2166 wordsRead More - The Debate of Censorshipexplanatory essayThe United States Bill of Rights guarantees its citizens the freedom of expression, but how far does that freedom extend? Does the right to express yourself include the right to observe the expressions of others? According to pro-censorship view holders, it does not. But to those who feel strongly against censorship, the freedom of information, or the “right to know,” should be an absolute right granted to the American public. Censoring material is the responsibility of the individual, not the institution itself, and certainly not the job of a separate institution. Also, the definition of what is censor-worthy is by no means clear.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that the united states bill of rights guarantees its citizens the freedom of expression, but how far does that freedom extend?
- Explains that censorship is unfair to the speaker and the listener, since it revokes their right to develop an informed opinion based on unobstructed truth.
- Explains that when censoring content, it is the sole responsibility of the individual to block harmful or offensive content from themselves or their children.
- Explains that the fcc has certain standards for material to be considered profane, indecent, or obscene.
- Explains that censorship is one of the largest debates in america, and for good reason. any controversial topic is subject to differing opinions.
- Cites erry, john n., "choosing sides." library journal mar. 1998: 6. mas ultra - schooledition.
- Cites crigger, lara, d'entremont, jim, "clear and present danger." index on censorship 32.3(2003): 124.
- Cites gutman, dan, "how i corrupted america's youth." school library journal 56.5 (2010):28. mas ultra - school edition.
- Describes the mas ultra - school edition, ebsco, and jarvis, jeff, "can the fcc shut howard up?"
752 wordsRead More - The Banning of Books in American Schoolsanalytical essayTrelease, Jim. "Book Banning Violates Children and Young Adult Freedoms." Book Banning. Ed. Ronnie D. Lankford. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2007. At Issue. Rpt. from "Censorship and Children's Books." Trelease-on-Reading.com. 2006.Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 31 Mar. 2014.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that limiting access to a book is banning the representation of an idea. the ban of books in american schools will prevent students from learning the reason for the controversy.
- Explains that books are banned with the best intention to protect others, often children, from difficult ideas and information. harriet the spy, a light in the attic, and shel silverstein are examples.
- Explains that books were destroyed to suppress individualism in the interest of the collective or purging intellectuals.
- Explains that homosexuality is a common target for book banning. the american family association is an anti-homophobic group.
- Argues that the us constitution never mentions the rights they claim to hold over the books, and the bible doesn't call for the disentrance of others.
1054 wordsRead More - Censorship Essayanalytical essayWhen it comes to school censorship, many people think about book banning. Indeed, book banning has always been a problem in schools and continues into modern times. As mentioned, book banning has been a...
In this essay, the author
- Argues that censorship of books, the internet, and speech in schools is a growing crisis that has alarmed many american intellectuals who believe the only remedy is to make teenagers more aware of the problem.
- Explains that book banning has been a problem in schools since the supreme court ruled in island trees school district v. pico.
- Explains that schools restrict students' access to the internet during school hours, but many people question the schools' right to monitor activity outside of school.
- Analyzes how schools censor materials, but the consequences aren't. students are being conditioned into accepting a society in which it's widespread and uncontrollable.
- Concludes that censorship in schools is widespread and little is being done about it.
1317 wordsRead More - Stop Literary Censorshipanalytical essayStop Literary Censorship Censorship is becoming more and more common all over the world today. The online Encarta Encyclopedia defines censorship as, "supervision and control of the information and ideas that are circulated among the people within a society. In modern times, censorship refers to the examination of books...for the purpose of altering or suppressing parts thought to be objectionable or offensive." Henry Reichman from the Education World website defines it as, "the removal, suppression, or restricted circulation of literary, artistic, or educational materials . . . on the grounds that these are morally or otherwise objectionable in light of the standards applied by the censor" (Cromwell).
In this essay, the author
- Explains that censorship is becoming more and more common all over the world today. encarta encyclopedia defines it as the examination of books for the purpose of altering or suppressing parts thought to be objectionable or offensive.
- Explains that the first amendment to the constitution states that congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.
- Explains that censors fall into three groups: 1) parents who hear about or see material that troubles them; 2) community members or parents who react to a book without having read it; and 3) local, state, and national organizations with specific lists of titles which they consider objectionable.
- Explains that the number of formal demands for the removal of books from public and school libraries has increased by more than fifty percent from 1991 to 1994.
- Opines that books are 'educationally unsuitable', citing sharon cromwell and staples. many parents confuse the book's subject matter with the notion that or publisher advocates a particular moral agenda.
- Lists the most frequently banned classics, including of mice and men, hawthorne's scarlet letter, and twain’s huck finn.
- Explains that huck finn was the fourth most banned book during the last decade due to "racial epitaphs."
- Analyzes how jack london and kate chopin's writing was censored in several european dictatorships in the 20s and 30s. the awakening is said to give us unique access to the interior life of a protestant woman
- Analyzes how chopin's novel "traces the sensual and sexual coming to consciousness of a young woman and predictably aroused hostility among contemporary reviewers, just as whitman'
- Analyzes how staples states that authors censor themselves, weeding out curse words, and steering away from difficult areas, regardless of feelings that such omissions affect the credibility of their work.
- Opines that parents and teachers have a responsibility to prepare the young to meet the diversity of experiences in life. critics spend their time and energy in pointing out the horrible examples.
- Opines that it is wrong that what one person can read should be confined to what another person thinks is proper.
- Cites haym, nina, gen.ed., the norton anthology of american literature.
- Explains that daniels, walter m., ed. the censorship of books. new york: the h.w. wilson company, 1954.
1575 wordsRead More - High School Internet Censorshipanalytical essayThe common image that comes to mind on the topic of censorship is that of book burning. Dating back to ancient times, the easiest way to deal with unwanted writings has been to get rid of them, usually by heaping them into a blazing pyre. In his most famous science fiction novel, Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury warns of a futuristic society where all literature is destroyed under a kerosene flame and the citizens' freedoms are kept in check by the lack of written information. In fear of this kind of totalitarianism, many bibliophiles have fought against all manners of censorship, wielding the first amendment and the rights recognized by our fore-fathers. But with the technological advances of this the last decade of the twentieth century and the up welling of a new informational medium comes a new twist to the struggle for freedom of expression.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that filtering software blocks access to inappropriate material through different methods, such as creating a list of permitted sites or placing restrictions on addresses.
- Argues that a student contract restricts certain content while leaving the remainder of net information to flourish.
- Analyzes how hoffman, ellen, and syllabus high school edition control student access.
- Explains that censorship is based on the burning of books, and the lack of written information. the clinton administration is pushing for school internet connection.
1022 wordsRead More - The Adventures of Huckleberry Finnopinionated essayCensorship 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.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that censorship is a shroud for the intolerable, withdrawal from the cold truths of humanity, and ultimately, the suppression of expression.
- Argues that schools are not purposed to dampen the discomfort of specific students and their families. twain's intent was not to be derogatory.
- Opines that students will be unprepared for the bitterness of actual society if they are accustomed to the sweet, moral utopia that censorship induces.
- Opines that the n-word is an integral part of history that encompasses all of racial injustice that occurred in america.
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