Erin's Escape

Censorship


This seems like a kind of back and forth topic for me. I guess there are a few questions that I have to ask myself when thinking about it. Have I read the book? Did I enjoy it? Would I read it again? Is there anything questionable about the book, if so what is questionable about it? Would I want my own children reading this book? There are more questions I could ask myself when addressing a book and if it is bad or questionable.

One this that totally caught me by surprise was that one of my favorite books was on the list handed out in class. I might have to go back and read the book over again to find out what is bad about it because I cannot remember anything bad about it. I do remember, though, that my teacher was surprised how much I really did love the book. The Giver was a required reading when I was in seventh grade, and the book is on the list that was handed out in class. I really do need to reread the book, but I think the book was fine.

I was also shocked by seeing some books that I thought were questionable when I read them in school where not on the list. I would be sitting there reading a book and just be taken back by what was written and asking myself why on earth are we reading this in school?! To make it even worse it would be those books that we would watch the movie of as well. REALLY?! Even in high school, my mom had some complaining to do. Even back in fifth grade, the school had forbidden Pokémon from the school. Cards, games, clothes, anything that was Pokémon, but when we went on our trip to NASA we watched Apollo 13 on the bus. It didn’t add up right to a few parents on the bus.

Censorship, when it all comes down to it, is all about opinions. Everyone has the right to thinking that a book is not good for their child to read. At the same time, some of the things that people are getting worked up over are things that happen in everyday life. Just because a book has a cuss word in it doesn’t mean that the child will start cussing, they might use the word because they don’t know what it means, but that is when the parent teaches their child that some words should not be used. If they don’t read it in a book, they will hear it on TV, in a movie, by a peer. Language is only one thing that is on the list for censorship, there is also sex among several other listed items. Anything that a child can read in a book can also be seen in the world, and you can’t really censor the world, you can try hard and shelter you child, but that will only work for so long.

As for me and my family or my classroom, I will have to ask myself those questions. I do not think that books should be censored but maybe not to be read in the grade that they are being read in. Sometimes certain things are just too much for younger children to be reading. Taking in how impressionable the children are at the age and age of them, a teacher or parent should make a choice on if the book should be read.

There will always be someone to complain about something, no matter what it is. A teacher needs to always have a reason for why they are doing what they are doing, and back up for their backup. A good book might have a few questionable things in it, but as long as the students understands that it makes the story, and that the lesson at the end of the book is learned. Like in The Great Gilley Hopkins, I learned after asking why are we reading this, that though her opinions and thoughts she grew to be who she was, she changed, and we could all learn that we are a little like Gilley.

 
<3  Erin Christina