Why The Kite Runner Should Be Banned

Henry Louis Gates said “censorship is to art as lynching is to justice.” The banning of books has become increasingly prevalent in the United States, there is an entire week dedicated to it. The Kite Runner is at the top of the list of books parents do not approve of in high schools. Although some believe The Kite Runner has graphic scenes inappropriate for students, the lessons that can be learned from the book outweigh “damage” students may face from reading it. There are several themes and lessons in The Kite Runner that prove beneficial to high school students. In a post 9/11 world, the vast majority Americans have a difficult time thinking of Afghanistan as anything other than the country responsible for the deadliest terrorist attack ever on U.S soil. This is reflected in the fact that 76% of Americans support keeping troops in Afghanistan, over a decade after the 9/11

Rape is an arduous subject, especially for children, parents understandably hope to shield their children from it. However, according to R.A.I.N.N, the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network, 44% of sexual assault victims are under age 18. Whether people acknowledge it or not, the reality is this is a tragedy that happens to children. Ignoring the problem doesn’t change this fact. The Orange County Rape Crisis Center has ways to talk about rape with children at any age. For ages 6-9 the O.C.R.C.C recommends saying something along the lines of “Rape is a crime dealing with inappropriate touches. It is when one person forces another to do something with their body that they don’t want them to do.” Children aged 9-12 can be told that rape is “when one person forces a sexual act on another person who does not want it.” Once a child turns 12 they can be talked to about rape at a higher level. This begs the question, if first grade students can be taught about rape, why shouldn’t high school