One of the primary reasons why great books are often banned or challenged is the desire of some groups or individuals to control what is read or taught in schools or libraries. These groups may object to certain ideas or perspectives that they believe are inappropriate or offensive, or they may seek to promote their own views or beliefs.
Another reason for the banning of books is a concern for child protection. Some parents or educators may believe that certain books are not appropriate for young readers, or that they contain content that could be harmful or disturbing.
Finally, the banning of books can also be driven by legal and political factors. In some cases, books may be banned or challenged because they are seen as promoting certain political or social views, or because they are perceived as a threat to national security or public safety.
Despite the fact that many great books have been banned or challenged over the years, there is also a strong tradition of resistance to such censorship. Many individuals and organizations have fought to defend the right to read and access these books, and to promote the free exchange of ideas and perspectives in American society.
As the school year in many states comes to a close and we approach the Memorial Day Weekend, the idea of schools has been on my mind. The 2022-23 school year has been marked to date by an escalation of book bans and censorship in classrooms and school libraries across the United States. This school year also saw the effects of new state laws that censor ideas and materials in public schools, with advocacy groups labeling certain books “harmful” and expanding the type of content suppressed. These groups pressured districts to remove books without following their own policies, even in some cases, removing books without reading them.
- Themes or instances of violence & physical abuse
- Covering topics on health and wellbeing for students
- Books that include instances or themes of grief and death
- Books that include characters of color or discuss race and racism
- Books that present LGBTQ+ characters or themes
- Books that detail sexual experiences between characters.
- Books mention teen pregnancy, abortion, or sexual assault
- The Catcher and the Rye
- Of Mice and Men
- The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
- The Kite Runner
- To Kill a Mockingbird
- The Grapes of Wrath
- The Color Purple
- The Lord of the Flies
- 1984
- The Call of the Wild
- The Lord of the Rings
Furthermore, banning books is a form of censorship, which leads to narrow-minded and homogeneous society. People should be able to access information and ideas from a variety of sources, even if they disagree with them, in order to make informed decisions.
Overall, while there may be some controversial or objectionable content in certain books, banning them is not an effective way to address these concerns. Instead, individuals should be encouraged to read critically and engage in open and respectful dialogue about the issues raised in the literature.