I believe that the only reason banned books are banned is because it teaches us about information that they don't want us to learn yet. Banned books share valuable information and lessons. I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings should definitely be taught in highschool, or any grade level for that matter. This book addresses racism, trauma and depression for a child.
Furthermore, I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou should be taught to all ages. When Maya was first raped she was only 8 years old. It is the hard but realistic truth that many children have been molested over the years, no matter the age. Like Maya, they most likely didn’t tell anybody. Maya Angelou was mute for 5 years before she finally said something. She testified at his trial but it barely got anywhere. He died shortly after but that didn’t take away Maya’s trauma. Many children don’t even get to that point or are bold enough to testify. They go through depression and when they grow up it affects their adulthood and how they raise their children. Rape doesn’t have an age on it and I feel like children, teenagers, and adults need to know that they aren’t alone in this evil world.
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While reading the book one particular quote stood out. It stated, “When I was described by our playmates as being shit color, he was lauded for his velvet-black skin”(Angelou 22). She stated that he had beautiful curls, while she compared her hair to “black steel wool.” Hair is really the center of little black girls' depression. I know it was for me. I loved being black but I hated my natural curls and I hated the fact that my hair wasn’t silky. Maya was disgusted with herself and in her later years treated people with not as much respect as a normal person would