Disha Murugupandiyan - Week #7 - Silenced Shelves
I love books.
When I was still adjusting to making the change from private to public school in 4th grade, without many friends, I would spend every day at lunch sitting on the park bench, reading a book that I had gotten at the library. I would read book after book, hour after hour, and day after day, just wanting to absorb all of the knowledge and magic that they held. From A-Z Mysteries, the Magic Tree House series, Harry Potter, and the Six of Crows duology, the different books I have read over time have influenced the way that I think and build my character. Books were a comforting place that was always there for me whenever I needed to escape from the world. That's why it breaks my heart when I read about thousands of books across the country being banned.
The current wave of book bans in America started in 2021, as books started to disappear from shelves in schools and libraries. PEN America has recorded over 23,000 book bans in public schools across the country since 2021. If you go to their website and scroll through their Index of School Book Bans - 2024-2025, it would take you ages to get to the end. As I scrolled through the never ending list of books, I could feel my heart sink as I recognized some of the titles.
The Perks of Being A Wallflower. To Kill a Mockingbird. 1984. The Giver.
The reasons for their ban? Features of racial themes, LGBTQ+ people, sexual content, violence, or other "controversial" topics. Funnily enough, it's these types of books that have endlessly fought to be put on shelves in the first place.
This recent wave of book banning is the result of new local and state laws (mostly commonly in the states of Texas, Florida, Tennessee) that are driven by vague criteria. Ultimately, it's a part of a broader political and cultural effort to censor certain information and control educational content that students absorb. In order to make sure that educators don't teach certain books in class, several educators and schools have been threatened with the termination of their professional licenses and the chance of losing their funding respectively.
As a result, the current generation of children can't access part of the world of fine literature and all that it has to offer. Books like 1984 and To Kill a Mockingbird are true classics, the type of books that top lists like "Books You Have To Read At Least Once Before You Die." On top of missing out on good quality literature, these kids will be sheltered not only from topics that some consider "controversial" or "inappropriate," they'll be sheltered from reality. Racism and homophobia are real problems in America, and avoidance isn't a solution.
Book bans are absurd, and there are numerous organizations that fight against them, including PEN America and the American Library Association. I can only hope that they make a change, so that the next generation of kids can have the same magical experiences I did.
Funnily enough when you mentioned those Buzzfeed headlines like “Books You Have To Read At Least Once Before You Die” it took me back to when I first realized that these books were going to be banned. When I was younger I was not a very active reader, I have to admit I did lie once or twice on those reading logs. Although, as I grew older I realized the enjoyment and importance that reading provides not only to students, but to those who do not have access to formal education. Books are such a versatile form of entertainment and have become one of the most accessible items in the world. Libraries have become a place where communities come together. So when we hear that the things that bring us such comfort and knowledge are being taken away from us it is inevitable that we would be mad. Knowledge is powerful and books are a direct correlation to that, so when the government takes away books such as “1984 and To Kill a Mockingbird” they take away the public’s access to understanding what is going on around them. This makes it easier for corrupt government officials to stay in power, since no one else is aware about what they are doing. I agree that the idea of banning books is “absurd” and that collectively we should reconsider what we deem taboo and what is necessary to be educated on in order to create a more productive society.
ReplyDeleteWhen learning about banned books, I was shocked to discover that all of these were on the list. I vividly remember watching the movie “The Perks of Being a Wallflower,” seeing the title “To Kill a Mockingbird” on my mom’s bookshelf, and hearing about “The Giver.” The idea of banning books just because they hold ideals they disagree with is absurd. To be part of the real world, as you mentioned, one should know everything that goes into it. To have “features of racial themes, LGBTQ+ people, sexual content, violence, or other ‘controversial’ topics,” these are all things that one should know about before leaving home and going off to college to broaden perspectives. Especially entering college, it's a sign of truly ascending into adulthood and learning how to adapt. Without these vital components, who knows how a kid would act, or whether they would even know what's right or wrong in the first place? To offer an education should mean covering various subjects to prepare a child, not restricting them because of a disagreement in opinion. This shouldn't be a dictatorship; people should have the freedom to learn what they want. It's different when a person chooses not to educate themselves rather than having it done for them. It deeply saddens me to learn that this is an issue in some states, and it makes me even more grateful to live here.
ReplyDeleteHi Disha, I guess I am evil. I read The Giver in 7th grade along with my entire class. According to the states you mentioned “Texas, Florida, and Tennessee” -- these places would all hate Thornton Junior High and I guess for good reason too, as it is too “progressive” for them. The themes you mentioned, the “ ‘controversial topics’,” which get books banned are just an excuse. If people are afraid to read these books for an upsetting theme, it says more about the audience than the author. As you explain “Book bans are absurd” and I agree because there is literally no reason to ban them. Simply, do not read the book if you do not want to. This argument is applicable to all sorts of things. For instance, you can have an opinion but your opinion cannot be forced onto others. I feel like this idea is so simple but I do understand that these bans are coming because people want to maliciously shape history in a “broader political and cultural effort.” However one thing I disagree on is when you mention that “kids will be sheltered.” In my opinion, kids will eventually have to interact with the problematic topics and I believe that they already understand this. I have seen kids do amazing things and I do not believe that they will not be influenced by desperate attempts from politicians.
ReplyDeleteHi Disha. When I heard that "1984" by the legendary George Orwell got banned, I was absolutely stunned. I was extremely confused on why a classic is getting banned(one of my favorites as well). Literature is a way that people are able to have deeper insights on questions or problems, especially the classics, which many challenge fundamental thinking of society. By banning such books, kids are unable to have these questions and problems introduced to them, which is important for thinking. The banning of LGBTQ+ books is also concerning, it kind of looks like people want to oppress certain types of people through banning books. If this is true, then would the "Great Gatsby" also be next? Nick Carraway was implied to have a queer relationship with Mr. McKee, would that mean that it is also going to be banned in those states? If books are being banned for queer content then are movies next? In the movie "The Little Mermaid" the main villain Ursula is directly inspired by the drag queen Divine or Harris Glenn Milstead, are queer coded texts and movies are also going to be banned? What is the extent that people want to "protect" their children from these "controversial" topics.
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