According to The New York Times, book banning efforts in the US rose significantly in 2021. One culprit is the polarized political landscape dividing the country. For a country renowned for advocating free speech, this may come as a surprise.
5 books that were challenged in the US in 2021 include:
- ‘Gender Queer,’ by Maia Kobabe
- ‘Lawn Boy,’ by Jonathan Evison
- ‘All Boys Aren’t Blue,’ by George M. Johnson
- ‘Out of Darkness,’ by Ashley Hope Pérez
- ‘The Hate U Give,’ by Angie Thomas
A common thread between these most challenged novels is their connection to being Black or part of the LGBTQ community.
By definition, book banning is a method of censorship used to repress certain information or ideas found in books, generally from public libraries and schools. The practice of book banning dates back centuries, even to ancient Greece. Throughout history, efforts to place restrictions on the distribution of literature were common.
Earlier methods included physically burning the books, while later on, licensing laws were enforced.
In modern days, school boards have been challenging a number of literary works in hopes of removing them from schools and curricula. In Canada, some frequently banned or challenged novels include: The Golden Compass, The Handmaid’s Tale, To Kill A Mockingbird, Bridge to Terabithia, Harry Potter, The Giver, and many more. Regardless of the fact that the majority of these novels are well known, renowned, and recipients of various awards, people have openly questioned their appropriacy in recent years. On the other hand, some are outraged that their classic childhood novels are being labelled as controversial.
Why ban books?
When you think of a dangerous weapon, a book is typically not the first thing that comes to mind.
So why are such extreme measures being taken for the purpose of book banning?
Typically, when novels are challenged or banned, it’s because they may contain inappropriate language, offensive messages, sexual content, dangerous ideas, or are unsuitable for their target age.
For example, many novels, such as George Orwell’s best-seller novel 1984, are banned across school boards for exploring extreme and dangerous political parties. Despite the novel acting as a precaution to readers about the issues around totalitarianism, many parents and board members felt uncomfortable exposing students to such material. The problem is, with the diverse communities and varying perspectives that exist in society today, it is often difficult for everyone to see eye to eye and almost any topic can easily be considered controversial.
Surely, it wouldn’t be possible to ban every novel that someone deems inappropriate. Even if that were the case, there would need to be a lengthy process of deciding who would be given such a level of control, and to what end.
How does book banning impact education? How does it impact literature?
The effects of book banning are both immediate and long-term.
After a novel is banned in a particular region, it is almost immediately removed from schools, libraries, and curricula. If students are interested in reading it, they will have a hard time gaining access to it, unless they purchase the book. The novel will also be removed from school curricula, preventing future students from studying and learning about it. There may be some exceptional works that many students will never get the chance to read about. Although they are still allowed to read it on their own time outside of school, it isn’t the same as a guided, in-class study with teachers and peers. These immediate, short-term impacts of book banning are only a fraction of the issues surrounding book banning.
The potential long-term impacts of book banning on education, future literature, and society are potentially more detrimental. To start, the prohibition of certain books solely for the purpose of limiting certain ideas or information to the public suggests the narrative that there are guidelines for people’s opinions and beliefs, or perhaps that governments and school boards will only tolerate novels that adhere to their views. This can be a dangerous message, especially for young students as it contradicts the idea of plurality in our country’s democratic system.
Reading is a way to expand your horizon of knowledge and think critically about situations through a multitude of lenses. Also, reading helps us form our own sense of individuality by coming to terms with our own identities and constructing our own beliefs.
Book banning can be dangerous if it reaches a point where the only novels that are permitted fall under a common category, with common themes, ideas, and messages. The future of literature and writing may change. What was once a creative outlet for anyone to express themselves, entertain, or educate others, may become a way to filter and control peoples’ way of thinking.
The question right now is, is book banning in schools and libraries just the beginning, or will it be taken to other extremes? The problem goes beyond classrooms because it questions the political structure of our nation. A fundamental element of democracy is freedom and peoples’ ability to make their own decisions, express themselves, and have their own beliefs and thoughts. Would it truly be a free society when book banning is tolerated?
Where Do We Draw the Line?
Nowadays, the line between whether a book is acceptable or not is becoming progressively blurred. This gray area is the primary cause for debate over whether or not book banning is a violation of human rights and freedoms. Although efforts to ban certain novels aren’t necessarily made out of malicious intent, it often conflicts with peoples’ freedom of speech, expression, and thought. The current topic of book banning in public libraries and school boards is problematic as there are no legal criteria as to what types of literature can be banned. The Supreme Court and Federal government have no control over these issues as they are completely in the hands of local, municipal authorities. These officials have the power to decide whether or not a book is appropriate for schools, libraries and curricula.
Unfortunately, students themselves don’t have a voice during these crucial decisions, despite the impact on their education. A number of intellectually stimulating novels are being banned despite their meaningful teachings.
With no set clear guidelines, it is difficult to say where the line should be drawn and to what extent book banning is in violation of people’s fundamental rights.
Written by: Grace Sun (Article Researcher and Writer, Campus Ambassador).
Edited by: Francesca Cadhit (Top Class Edge Learning).
Sources:
Conger, C. (2008, May 12). How Book Banning Works. HowStuffWorks. Retrieved June 20,
2022, from https://people.howstuffworks.com/book-banning1.htm
Dahl, R. (2022, January 6). Book Banning Efforts are on the Rise. What Does the Law Say?
FindLaw. Retrieved June 20, 2022, from
Goldberg Associate Professor of Law, E. (2022, April 26). When are book bans
unconstitutional? A first amendment scholar explains. The Conversation. Retrieved June 20, 2022, from https://theconversation.com/when-are-book-bans-unconstitutional-a-first-amendment-scholar-explains-176225#:~:text=The%20First%20Amendment%20protects%20individuals,a%20colloquial%20term%2C%20not%20a
Yuko, E. (2022, April 18). What is Book Banning and How Does it Affect Society? Reader’s
Digest. Retrieved June 20, 2022, from https://www.rd.com/article/book-banning/