Books are essential for allowing people to share stories, information, values, and opinions. Many books have endured the test of time, some being considered classics or required works for schools. With such power, books can also be seen as unofficial powers and as a result, they can sometimes become the object of censorship and banned books.
Censorship of books can come in many forms, from being banned outright, to being challenged in the hopes of getting them removed from shelves or libraries. In order to have a better understanding of why books are challenged or banned, it is important to consider the motivations, implications, and effects of such decisions in the larger scheme of censorship.
Definition of Censorship
Censorship is broadly understood as the control of ideas, information, and art. This control can be both direct or indirect, where government or other organizations exercise power to restrict what people can access or create. This control, more often than not, impinges on rights such as freedom of speech and of expression. In the case of books, the concept of censorship refers to the restriction of the publication, availability, and use of certain books.
Motives for Banning or Challenging Books
Typically, motivations for challenging or banning certain books stem from values and opinions that the censor deems dangerous, inappropriate, or offensive. According to the American Library Association, constructive debates of ideas and works should be strongly defended as they are essential for a thriving democracy. However, censorship of books can be a way to prevent opening constructive dialogues, while instead favoring conformity and support of the status quo.
At times, books can be challenged with good intentions, in an effort to protect society, particularly the young and impressionable, from messages and ideas perceived as harmful or inappropriate. In other cases, censorship is driven by specific or political interests that would like to avoid the discussion of certain topics, values, or beliefs.
Examples of Reasons for Challenged and Banned Books
There are many possible reasons for challenging or banning certain books. Here are some of the most common ones:
• Offensive language: Books containing offensive language, such as profanity, may be considered inappropriate for certain audiences and therefore challenged.
• Racial content: Books that contain racial stereotypes may be considered offensive and challenged due to the idea that certain races should not be portrayed in certain ways.
• Sexual content: Books that contain explicit sexual content may be challenged due to their adult themes.
• Political views: Certain books may be challenged due to holding political views deemed objectionable or harmful by the censors.
• Religious content: Books with religious themes or iconography may be challenged due to their perceived offense of or challenge to certain religious beliefs.
• Violent content: Books with violent content may be challenged due to their depiction of horrible or immoral acts.
• Graphic depictions: Books with graphic depictions of crime and horror may be challenged due to their disturbing content.
• Drug usage: Books that contain drug usage may be challenged due to the idea that they glorify or promote its use.
• Any other deemed objectionable content: Other reasons for challenging books may vary from culture to culture and from individual to individual.
The Consequences of Challenging and Banning Books
When certain books are challenged or banned, the consequences go beyond just taking away the right to read certain works. Here are some of the implications of book censorship:
• Reduced access to information: By challenging or banning books, people are denied the right to access certain works of knowledge or stories.
• Eliminating access to opposing views and ideas: By preventing the distribution of certain books, people are denied the right to explore other points of view and ideas, which can be essential for informed decision-making processes.
• Reduced cultural expression: By threatening the publication and availability of certain works, the rights of certain authors and creators to express themselves are also violated.
• Threats to democracy: A decreased access to information, ideas, and expression challenge the core principles of democracy, as it has been traditionally understood.
From examining the reasons for challenging and banning books to understanding the implications, it is clear that censorship is a serious issue. For example, reducing access to certain stories or expressions, whether they are seen as offensive or not, unjustly takes away valuable information and ideas that can lead to better informed decision-making processes. Furthermore, promoting conformity by attempting to prevent free thought and discussion is a powerful way to stifle democracy.
Ultimately, it is important to recognize that censorship, in any form, is an act of power and control, which should not be taken lightly. By being aware and actively engaging with the world around, we can help to create a more open, free, and informed society, one where people of diverse backgrounds can openly express their individual and collective views.
