Lily Andreoli

Mrs. Roxanna Dewey

English 101 20573

10 December 2017

Book Banning: Freedom vs Stability in Modern Society

In 2016, 323 books were reported by the Office for Intellectual Freedom as challenged

for their content (Admin). This number may not seem like a lot, but many more books go

unrecorded for the censorship of content or removal from shelves in schools, libraries, and

bookstores nationwide. Though book banning isnt exactly in the spotlight as far as controversial

issues are concerned, it is representative of a much larger, centuries-old and worldwide issue: the

censorship of ideas (Mullally). The oppression of literature by opposing powers has been present

since organized civilization began. What started as the physical burning of original copies of

literature, then led the requirement of governmental permission for any published work

(Mullally). Book banning in the modern age happens on a subtler scale, mostly within schools

and public libraries, but in other places as well. Books should not be banned simply for their

content because it allows corporate decisions to influence availability of books, limits knowledge

to younger readers, and infringes on the right to free speech.

The most covert occurrence of literature censorship in the modern age is how corporate

decisions can affect availability of books. Especially in the capitalistic society of today, major

corporate competitors wield considerable influence over the availability of certain books. Online

stores like Amazon have risen to the forefront of consumerism, and that includes the sale of

literature and other media. Alongside Amazon, corporate competitors such as Walmart and

Target have major control over book availability. How is this possible? With online searches,
retailers can restrict search results to hide or even exclude certain books to make it more difficult

for customers to find them (Book Banning). Stores can also deny putting a book on its shelves.

This is usually the result of the book containing controversial or graphic themes, and these

actions can have a huge impact on its potential success.

Another and more widespread issue surrounding book banning takes place within the

walls of schools and public libraries. Books like The Catcher in the Rye have been repeatedly

challenged in schools for content deemed inappropriate by parents of children reading those

books in class (Common Reasons for Banning Books, graph 2 Challenged By Initiator).

Such books contain references to sex, racism, LGBTQ+ issues, violence, vulgar language, and

other cultural taboos. However, it is important to remember that many of these books being

repeatedly challenged across the country are considered literary classics and are valued for their

provocative and revolutionary ideas. Thus, removing them from curriculum prevents students

from gaining a more worldly perspective and being exposed to a holistic view of literary history.

Supporters of book banning in schools also say that young adults novels are more vulgar

and violent than ever before, and allowing impressionable teens to read them can only be

damaging their still-developing psyche. Apocalyptic themes, explicit sexual situations, and

graphic violence make regular appearances in todays novels. However, the rise in the

occurrence of these themes in YA novels are reflective of trends found in society today. It has

been suggested that, perhaps, YA fiction is becoming darker to compete with the violence and

terror in everyday media (Young Adult Literature). Books considered dangerous for younger

readers most often simply commentate on real world occurrences and give teens something to

relate to. Also, in a teens tumultuous stage of life, reading about characters dealing with the

things they may be, whether symbolically or literally, gives teens a role model, or at least a
character or situation they can identify with. It seems that the extreme and unsettling situations

chronicled in these books are, for many teenagers, accurate and realistic depictions of their inner

lives." (Roiphe qtd. in Young Adult Literature)

At its core, the argument against book banning is that it is an act against the American

peoples right to free speech. Though American society, for the most part, allows free speech to

happen on all platforms, the instances taking place against literature show that ideas are still

being suppressed and made unavailable to the masses. It is understandable that advocates for

censorship or removal of books are worried that controversial content can be dangerous if openly

available. A realistic compromise would be that the only instance in which a book should be

restricted is if it presents immediate danger to society. Books like The Anarchist Cookbook,

which is a manual describing how to construct bombs, can be used to cause physical harm to

others and should not be freely circulated. If it is needed for academic research, it should be

officially logged out to that person or organization by the government. However, banning a book

because of foul language, explicit sexual content, or violence is nonsensical because that content

simply reflects real life issues; if someone tries to censor or ban a book for these reasons, they

are only trying to create the illusion that those things do not exist in the real world. Censoring

that information from readers, especially young ones, only puts them into more danger by

keeping them ignorant on those topics. Art (which includes literature) reflects life, and if

somebody denies that to themselves or others in society, they only contribute to the ignorance

and intolerance of the whole. In the classroom, guided reading can be very helpful, and often

when a book that is being researched or read in the classroom is challenged by a parent, it is

because the parent takes the book at face value rather than exploring what the content is truly

meant to teach. A book containing a racial slur may be considered racist by the unaware reader,
but the books intent may actually be to subtly highlight the disparities of racial equality in

society. Every aspect of the human experience must be valued, even if considered negative or

simply sensitive.

The concept of book banning reflects the larger issue of idea censorship in society. It

takes place in more subtle ways in the modern age, mainly in public schools and libraries, as well

as in corporate consumer chains. Banning or censoring books has a negative effect on society

because it limits knowledge available to young readers, allows corporations to covertly control

media, and ultimately inhibits free speech. Supporters of book banning argue that censoring

books protects society, and especially younger readers, from dangerous, inappropriate or vulgar

words and ideas. However, this only restricts the reader from understanding or relating to

realistic ideas about the world.

Works Cited

Admin. Top Ten Most Challenged Books Lists. Advocacy, Legislation & Issues, 18 July 2017,

http://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/frequentlychallengedbooks/top10#2016

"Book Banning." Opposing Viewpoints Online Collection, Gale, 2017. Opposing Viewpoints

inContext,

libproxy.gc.maricopa.edu/login?url=http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/PC3010999101/

OVIC?u=mcc_glendale&xid=4d30d004. Accessed 27 Nov. 2017.

Common Reasons for Banning Books," Fort Lewis College, John F. Reed Library. Banned

Books, Censorship & Free Speech. November 15, 2013. Web. March 19, 2014. Accessed
 29 Nov. 2017.

Mullally, Claire. Banned Books. First Amendment Center, 13 Sept. 2002,

www.firstamendmentcenter.org/banned-books/

"Young Adult Literature: Is current young adult literature appropriate for teen readers?" Issues &

Controversies, Infobase Learning, 17 Oct. 2011,

http://icof.infobaselearning.com/recordurl.aspx?ID=2144 Accessed 29 Nov. 2017.0