Book banning… doesn’t this remind anyone of 1939 Germany?
It’s surprising to see some people here defending the idea of ‘restricted’ versus ‘banned.’ Yes, there have always been books that weren’t suitable for children, which weren’t placed in school libraries. There may be books among these 400 that aren’t suitable. However, this isn’t just about suitability. They’re labeling LGBTQ+ content as obscene and removing books about these communities from shelves. Some books might belong in a restricted section, but many others should certainly be available in high schools. By defining any mention of sexuality as obscene, we risk having nothing but the most sanitized books available to our students, pushing them further towards online content where sexual situations lack human context. And yes, the term ‘banned’ is appropriate here. How many students can just go online and buy these books? Banning means these books are no longer accessible in their school libraries.
@LisaMoore
And it’s not just books, they dislike Disney too, so that’s probably off the shelves as well.
I’m hearing some say books should be banned from schools because they’re ‘inappropriate.’ But consider this: by the time they’re in sixth grade, most kids already have smartphones and internet access. Why ban classic literature that can provide meaningful educational experiences? Reading about real issues like the Vietnam War or dystopian scenarios in books like ‘The Giver’ or ‘1984’ can significantly impact a student’s education. Instead of banning books that deal with tough subjects, we should be addressing real issues like mental health and educational engagement.
SarahJackson said:
@Charlotte1
Are books like ‘Ender’s Game’ and ‘The Giver’ really banned?
Historically, many of these books were once banned. For instance, ‘1984’ was a part of our curriculum as a way to discuss the concept of censorship.
SarahJackson said:
@Charlotte1
Are books like ‘Ender’s Game’ and ‘The Giver’ really banned?
In some places, ‘1984’ is indeed banned because of its content.
Historically, supporting book bans has rarely been seen as a positive stance.
Liam said:
Historically, supporting book bans has rarely been seen as a positive stance.
There’s a big difference between choosing suitable children’s books for a school and outright banning books.
Dr.Smitha said:
@Stanley
Who should make these decisions? Politicians, religious leaders, or educators?
Ideally, it should be guided by what parents want since it’s their children being affected. If educators are elected, perhaps they have a say, but otherwise, politicians might better represent parental views. And bringing religion into this doesn’t necessarily apply unless religious leaders are influencing politics.
@Stanley
Religious leaders often influence politics significantly, such as in debates over abortion. Educators usually have the background to know what’s best for children, while politicians may cater to popular opinion rather than factual accuracy. Knowledge protects our children from those who would exploit their ignorance.
@Dr.Smitha
Are parents then not to have a say? And while educators contribute, their decisions are not infallible. They are funded by taxpayers and organized by the government.
Stanley said:
@Dr.Smitha
Are parents then not to have a say? And while educators contribute, their decisions are not infallible. They are funded by taxpayers and organized by the government.
Parents should definitely be involved and know what their children are reading and learning, which would allow them to discuss and manage their child’s exposure to various topics.
Liam said:
Historically, supporting book bans has rarely been seen as a positive stance.
If you can order these books online, are they really banned?
Liam said:
Historically, supporting book bans has rarely been seen as a positive stance.
If you can order these books online, are they really banned?
For students without financial means, libraries and schools play a crucial role in providing free access to information. Book bans typically target these institutions because they offer free access to ideas that might challenge certain ideologies.
Tracy said:
@Liam
The current bans don’t affect public libraries, just schools.
Given time, it’s likely that efforts to extend these bans to public libraries will occur, considering the historical targeting of these institutions by those supporting bans.