Book banning has been around for over a hundred years, starting with Thomas Morton’s book, New English Canaan (כְּנַעַן), in 1673. The Puritan government banned Morton’s book because it was considered a harsh critique of Puritan customs and power structures. Ever since then, more books have been banned for modern reasons like containing homosexuality, showing police brutality, presenting a different political viewpoint, having themes of rebellion, having representation of the oppressed and minorities, etc.
Some of the most known banned books are The Handmaid’s Tale, The Hate U Give, Animal Farm, The Outsiders, and Fahrenheit 451.
A freshman, Olivia Karr, said, “I’ve read banned books like Fahrenheit 451 and I’ve read Animal Farm… I’m a big fan of that kind of genre, like, dystopian, which is I feel like a lot of what the books are, I just like that genre a lot.”
Olivia Karr observes that the books that seem to keep getting banned are dystopian novels, most commonly The Hunger Games franchise. Dystopian books are normally banned for rising up against controlling government because the current-day government does not want people to get ideas of overthrowing the government.
Student Olivia Karr agreed by saying “… which is especially ironic with books about banned books being banned, it’s just things describing things that are getting closer and closer to a current situation.”
Another student Renata Zvekova also argues “…weird because they teach it in school so they teach a lot of banned books to kids somehow.” Teachers seem to strive to keep students enlightened because they are the next generation.
The books being banned are valuable to the general public’s education and overall knowledge, so history doesn’t repeat itself. Given the current circumstances and Olivia Karr’s previous statement that we are getting closer to that reality, it is more important to learn, especially the themes in dystopian literature. Yet, the people in current power in America are trying to ban all of the books that put the government in a corrupt light because the government is aware of what it is doing and wants to continue doing it so it keeps control.
A factor that some people think is why books are being banned based on popularity and critical views, but that is not the case. Olivia Karr had previously said that she likes the banned books she’d read but on the other hand, Renata Zvekova said “No I did not like Animal Farm, there’s a lot of banned books that are insightful yeah, like teaching about like sexual education like your gender-affirming care.” but acknowledge there are banned books out there that are important and aren’t necessarily meant to be fun, but knowledgeable. While not every banned book may appeal to every reader, the underlying value in the books is often their ability to challenge ideas, expose different perspectives, and address important issues that might otherwise be overlooked.
Banning books limits children’s exposure to certain critical thinking skills and the diverse views that shape society. There is an importance in discussing difficult topics like gender identity, government control, and social injustice. As Renata Zvekova pointed out, many of these books provide insight into critical areas of personal and societal understanding, areas that might not always be easy to comprehend but are crucial for building an informed and empathetic society. It’s also essential to remember that banning books isn’t just an attempt to shield students from uncomfortable and essentially important topics but it’s an attempt to control the conversation about the world around them.
In addition, it’s important to consider the personal impact that banned books can have on individuals outside of schools. Many readers find themselves seeing their own experiences and struggles reflected in books that may have been deemed controversial or inappropriate by others. Olivia Karr says “The people the books make like, ‘uncomfortable’ or say things they don’t like, those are the people who decide. So people in power could be impacted by people reading these books and realizing what’s happening in the news so I don’t think that it’s fair that people are banning books, no, not at all.”
These books can serve as a source of validation and empowerment, offering readers a connection and understanding that they might not find elsewhere like in their own personal communities. For example, books like The Hate U Give and Gender Queer speak directly to the experiences of minoritized groups, offering voices to those who have historically been silenced. When these books are banned, it not only limits access to diverse perspectives but also denies readers the opportunity to explore and help validate their own identities and learn about the world from a variety of viewpoints and other personal experiences.
Furthermore, banning books often has the opposite effect of what its banners intend. Rather than shielding children’s minds from harmful ideas, it creates a sense of curiosity and resistance, causing children to question. The very act of banning a book can make it more desirable and spark interest in readers who want to explore what has been forbidden. It gives people a silent chance to rebel by reading things that have been deemed unfit to be read by the general public. This phenomenon, often referred to as the “forbidden fruit” effect, demonstrates the flaws in censorship and how it creates more problems. By banning books, authorities may indirectly encourage the very behavior they are trying to prevent like students seeking out and engaging with the content they are told they aren’t supposed to read.
Banning books fails to address the real issue: the need for open dialogue like free speech, free expression, critical thinking, thinking for one’s self, and discovering personal identity. Students, as the next generation, need to be taught about the past mistakes and that it is okay to be black, or queer, or have a different religion. If we shield them from challenging materials, we risk raising a generation unfit to navigate the complexities of the modern world and the world in which they will be adults in. Instead of banning books, schools, and communities should focus on creating safe spaces where students can discuss controversial ideas some books bring up and learn how to engage with differing opinions respectfully and thoughtfully.
The debate over book banning is ultimately a reflection of a larger cultural battle: the struggle between freedom and control, between wanting power and doing what benefits all. In a democracy, the right to access information, including literature, is crucial for maintaining an informed and enlightened populace. As Olivia Karr says, “I think so yeah, I think banning books like, nationwide, is not fair at all. I, yeah, I think I disagree with the statement (That book access should be up to the government not the people/parents), well with most of the books- majority of the books that are being mentioned that are being banned to protect the children, I do think it should be like- more up to the parents because those things that apply to children are up to the parents and why should this be a government issue, a whole country issue, and not a parent’s choice.” As Karr states, while the desire to protect children from potentially harmful material is understandable, it is also vital to recognize the importance of exposure to a wide range of ideas, even those that may challenge deeply held beliefs.
Overall, the act of banning books reflects a fear of the power that stories and ideas hold. Ideas can inspire revolutions, shape movements, and protests, and change the course of history, things that the government is scared of. By silencing these ideas, authorities might think they are preventing disruption, but in reality, they are preventing progress. The truth is that banned books often tell us more about the fears and insecurities of those who seek to ban them than about the books themselves.
