"It's not just the books under fire right now that worry me. It is the books that will never be written. The books that will never be read. And all due to the fear of censorship. As always, young readers will be the real losers." - Judy Blume
The issue around banned or challenged books has been around for quite some time. In determining the curriculum, and what literature should be read by students, some texts are challenged by teachers, administrators or parents because of the topic or issues that are presented. I was surprised to do some research, both at my current school and online, and found that some popular titles have been challenged or banned. One example of this is the popular series Harry Potter, by JK Rowling.
The reason behind banning Harry Potter from schools is the idea that it encourages witchcraft and disobedience to social and cultural norms. As Harry progresses through his years at Hogwart's, the readers are able to see a boy who starts of timid and malleable turn into a strong young man, clearly capable of handling even the most wretched of evil-doers (he who shall not be named!) In the opinion of this blogger, texts like these are crucial to the creative development of students, and the expansion of one's imagination. By entering this "Potter realm" students (and adults) are able to step out of the stresses of everyday life and walk alongside Harry as he challenges adversity.
The most widely banned book by the American Library Association in 2006 was "An Tango Makes Three" by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell. This book explores the issue around same sex couples, and how two male penguins come to raise a baby penguin at the zoo. The book was banned because of the issues of homosexuality. WAIT...it was banned because of the ISSUES around homosexuality? I'm sorry, but we're in 2007, isn't it time for all people to be afforded the same rights? Rather than shying away from texts that explore same sex couples, shouldn't we be embracing and educating our students about diverse families. I know that in the school that I'm in, there are numerous children from same sex homes who are cared for and loved just like any child. Shouldn't we do justice to these children to make sure that their background and upbringing are explored as well?
Banned books is clearly a hot issue in children's literature, and will remain controversial just as long as censorship is present. I am not a proponent of having a free for all on what texts are being used in the classroom. Obviously the most gruesome and vulgar texts should remain outside of the classroom. However, when texts are banned and the reason for the ban is "issues around homosexuality" or "unsuited to age group," the decision should really be challenged. As educators, it is our duty to present texts that explore the diverse backgrounds of our families, communities and country. To ban books isn't doing the children any justice, its just making them ignorant to the world around them. Rather than banning books, why not educate students around the issues that are being presented, and in older grades, challenge the texts. Have students write about the stereotypes that are present, and how the author could have better explained their point without using staunch exaggerations and manipulating the truth to make it more appealing to their readers.
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I agree completely that children need to be exposed to varying points of view, or else how do they learn to develop critical thinking skills surrounding all of the issues in our world. Leaving out certain cultures or mores only cause children from those backgrounds to feel apart and isolated. We have seen too much evidence of what that can do to the delicate psyches of developing minds. It is all about choice; how can one expect to teach children how to make appropriate choices when those choices are taken away. Teachers can offer parents the option to remove their child from literature which they find "offensive" (as I have done successfully in my previous teaching career) without denying the majority of students the benefits of those diverse components that make us human.
Teachers and others with connections to the literary arena must remain strong to confront the voices of a very vocal minority which tries to control what everyone else has the right- and need- to experience.
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