Banned Books

Yesterday someone posted a link to the Pelham Public Library in Fonthill, Ontario. Another challenge was the title. "Take the Banned Book Challenge in time for Freedom to Read Week". Well....I'm always up for a good challenge, but this one got me thinking. Maybe it's because I am reading The Book Thief at the moment, and burning books is such a prevalent topic. Or maybe it is just that I'm the Obsessive-Compulsive Bookworm. Or maybe it's that during this time in our country, I am seeing some of our civil liberties stripped away from us under the guise of "Patriotism". But this topic is very near and dear to my heart. Who gives someone else the right to tell me what I can or cannot read, watch or hear?? Why is it that some groups of people feel the need to dictate to me their ideas of "morality" and what is "objectionable"? This country was founded on the principle of freedom. The very first Amendment to the US Constitution states, "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."


As a parent, I am given the task of a censor. I don't even like the word, but it is something that should be done for the welfare of my children. But here is the real question when it comes to censorship: Do I think my children are better off not reading the wonderful adventures of Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer because the "N" word was used by Mark Twain? Or do I think that teaching them that the word is wrong is a better alternative?? Do I shelter them from "vulgar" language like "damn" or "whore" by taking away such incredibly written Classics like "To Kill a Mockingbird" and "Of Mice and Men"? Or do I instill in them a sense of right and wrong so they know the language isn't appropriate? Do I stifle their creativity and imagination by condemning works like Harry Potter because he is a Wizard and against God? Or do I show them Harry Potter is a work of fiction, meant only to entertain....and has nothing to do with religion? Maybe I am a little more lax than some parents. And maybe I expose my children to certain topics earlier than most. But I think they are smart enough to learn what is right and what is wrong....or at least MY definition of right and wrong.


I guess this brings me back to my original topic of banning books. I'm not sure I really HAVE a point with this rant. It just makes me sad to see all the wonderful books that are on the ALA's list of banned/challenged books. It also makes me angry that people take it upon themselves to decide for everyone what is acceptable and what isn't. Even today I read an article that a group of Cuban American parents "kidnapped" a book from the library in Miami until it can be banned. It was called "Discovering Cultures: Cuba" and they felt it was pro-Castro and would like it banned. I'm sorry....but isn't that what Communism is all about....not giving people the freedom of choice? They are as bad as Castro in my opinion. You can read all about it on the 4Freadom blog.


I guess I will sign up for the Canadian Banned Books Challenge. My little way of rebelling!! Here are some of the "offensive" books that I am considering for this challenge:

• Brave New World by Aldous Huxley


• To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (a re-read for me)


• I know Why Caged Birds Sing by Maya Angelou


• Moll Flanders by Daniel Defoe


• Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury


• The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon


• The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier


• Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Witches by Roald Dahl


• The Complete Grimm's Fairy Tales
  
  
  Later!!