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Censorship: The Banning Of Books In Schools

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In the United States Constitution the First Amendment says, "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…” ("First Amendment.”) How is it in a country where freedom of speech is held so sacred, we are unable to read about it in books? Another question might be, why are we unable to protect our children from such harmful materials? These are questions asked by many as we experience censorship on a regular basis. Censorship is mainly focused on books that children and schools are reading in America. The idea of Censorship and book banning is to protect the youth from potentially harmful ideas or thoughts, but some would argue that in doing so it goes against the First Amendment rights. On one side of this argument we have people who disagree that books should be banned. …show more content…

Also that these books have an artistic and cultural values. Here are a few examples of books that have been challenged; “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” by Mark Twain, “Go Tell It on the Mountain” by James Baldwin, and “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” by Maya Angelou. These books were challenged mainly for sexual, racial, and or violent materials. Other books have been banned for having gay and lesbian issues. This list is just a small portion of all the books that have been banned throughout the years. Book banning is not uncommon nor is it just a thing of the past, it still happens to this day all around the US. It is said that these books are found to be offensive especially the ones with racial

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There is at least 300 books banned a year for foul language, but don’t you think that an invasion of the authors freedom of press and an invasion of children 's first amendment as well? So I think that books should not be banned. I have three main idea the first on is that the books can be about history and they have some language back then that was fine but is not fine today. The second reason is that libraries should be able to hold all types of books but have an age restricted area. The last reason is that it will get rid of children’s first amendment, and the authors first right as well.

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In the 21st century, many books are challenged and banned for their content, some of these include The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Animal Farm, and Fahrenheit 451. Many of the reasons given for banning are the same. The reasons include violence, language, symbols, and religion. This makes it very difficult for educational professionals; which books should be taught and which ones should be banned, when does protection become unnecessary censorship? Although Fahrenheit 451 shows some dark themes such as banning books, disregard for human life, and suicide, it should be included in the school curriculum because it shows the dystopian future that awaits the world if the events in the book become a reality.

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Ironically, Fahrenheit 451 is one of the most banned books in American schools. The book was seen as evil for ideas like opposing the suppression of freedom by parties that presumed they had all the answers. Books such as Fahrenheit 451, 1984, Brave New World, The Giver, and The Hunger Games have been banned in schools, and they all explore the themes of suppressing freedom, information, and intellectual thinking. Prohibiting these books will only lead less thought; it will lead to the ultimate demise of society. If we do not learn from them, we will become them.

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Book banning is unacceptable because librarians and teachers ban the text for their content, and not for their effect on students.

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Every child deserves a proper education. Banned books are depriving students of a well rounded, culturally aware, literary education because of the culture that is discarded, the history that is being withheld, and the education that young people could get through these banned books. The point of history is to learn from it and learn from others mistakes, but how can we do that if we are not allowed to learn it. As teachers shouldn’t you be teaching us how to make judgment calls like understanding that Mark Twain was a racist, but a man of his time and that doesn’t change him being an amazing writer. We cannot learn things such as that if we cannot even read most of Mark Twain’s books.

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There are many books that provide important information about prevalent issues and current ideas, yet these books have been censored or banned in many schools around the U.S. Why? They use harsh language or include graphic scenes or topics. However, these aren’t included in the text because the author just felt like including it. They are included because the author wanted to convey a message, expose readers to new concepts and topics, and provide accurate, detailed information to the public.

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Rough Draft Essay #2 What do you think when you hear something has been banned or censored? Most of us think this “Oh that’s great” because it had content that wasn’t okay for people to see. Today in modern society books are banned/censored because people see them as not appropriate for people to see. The banning/censoring books isn’t the best idea because some books are banned just because they have content that is seen a “mature” or “illegal”.

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It denies individuals of finding out about their general surroundings. Books should not be banned because of what they appear to be. For instance, restricting books are unlawful and not valuable for schools. '' I don't think a school board can wrap its political concerns in the cloak of educational suitability,'' Mr. Levine said (“Book-Banning Arguments are heard ”). The statement is vital in light of the fact that it gives

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Banned Books are books that are prohibited by law or to which free access is not permitted by other means. Banning books is against the writers right for freedom of speech, which is the first amendment. Students have the right to read, reading is not illegal, so why ban books? If a reader is mature enough to handle some curse words or bad behavior then they should be able to read banned books. Some people believe books should not be banned in schools/libraries but just because you do not like it does not mean it should be taken away, that is the authors freedom of speech.

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Censorship Censorship in schools may not be the best choice for enriching the future minds of the United States of America. Children of the United States of America should have the right to learn about anything for it is there amended right. Taking knowledge away from them and censoring it should not be the answer to keeping our Children pure it should be what we teach our kids. We need to teach them right and wrong that is what will keep our child’s mind pure. Many books are being taken off shelves every day in student libraries because a couple people do not think that the book is suitable for children.

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[21]” (ProCon.org). Banning books in school can create a problem for the teachers that are trying to assign something to the class. With the new addition to the first amendment schools will have the rights to any books. When books are banned the life lessons in the books are also

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Banned Books are books that are prohibited by law or to which free access is not permitted by other means. Banning books is against the writers right for freedom of speech, which is the first amendment. Students have the right to read, reading is not illegal, so why ban books? If a reader is mature enough to handle some curse words or bad behavior then they should be able to read banned books. Some people believe books should not be banned in schools/libraries but just because you do not like it does not mean it should be taken away, that is the authors freedom of speech.

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There have been over 11,300 books that have been challenged since 1982. Book banning has been happening for centuries and should be stopped. Authors should have the right to write about whatever they want without having to worry about if it is appropriate or not. All of these reasons are what brings us to the many cons of banning books. As a result, many people believe books should not be banned in school/libraries because they should not have the right to take books away from everyone.

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In some cases books were banned from schools because parents believed there kids should not be opened to certain topic in the stories. Another issue is students have been sent home to read books for certain classes that talk about touchy subjects. For example, religion and magic. Parents

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At one point in time, over 7,220 books have been challenged to be banned. Though these books have been removed for the safety of children, not all books should be banned for many reasons. These include the fact that banning books is infringing on the First Amendment, keeping children from understanding the real world, and, even though there are many reasons for book banning, not banning books could help a student’s education and can even work against itself. Banning a book from a school or public library could go against a person’s First Amendment of the freedom of press.

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