Why The Book Should Be Banned

Maya Boguslavsky

Ms. Kellie Fairchild

APLAC

9 December 2022

The Violations of Book Banning The first amendment is something that Americans take great satisfaction in having as it protects their opinions, self-expression, and speech. However, book banning violates this comfort for them. Book banning is one of the many forms of media censorship present in society, being banned holistically or partially based on the material present. Books can be banned at several different levels, national or subnational, meaning that a book that is banned in one place may be very easy to find in another place; however, buying these books in an area where they may be banned can carry extreme legal charges. They are banned for a variety of different reasons

One instance of this is the banning of The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger. In this case, the book was banned due to vulgar language, violence and sexual scenes. Salinger is essentially being silenced simply for including themes in his book that are present in the real world anyways, just with no filter. Authors publish books in order to share their ideas or to convey a purpose they believe the rest of the world should be seeing, however when their novels are banned those ideas and beliefs are hidden away. Although it is acceptable to express opposition to a book through its banning, doing so would be harmful to the book's author. People, Americans especially, do not take well to having their freedom of speech limited as the promise of it being protected is literally their first amendment. By restricting that privilege, banning books causes unpleasant reactions from the public and issues that will develop throughout one's life such as ignorance towards politics, history and basic

Banning books greatly compromises education and prevents the younger generations from being aware of some topics which causes them to be ignorant. For example, a classic book such as The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain was banned due to the coarse language present in the book. However, since this kind of language is prevalent in daily situations, it is difficult to determine who is actually being "protected" by this sort of censorship. Mark Twain addresses topics of racism and societal values which gives historical context between what is right and what is wrong, allowing for the young mind to be influenced for the better; being able to experience diversity and learn important lessons in the books they read. Due to this, it is important that individuals have the freedom to choose what they wish to read so that they can have a broad understanding of the world around them rather than just seeing it one way. Having the privilege of reading books and becoming educated and aware of topics that are present in society greatly benefit the younger generation as opposed to creating an ignorant society which is shut off from the real