Controversial Books: Should Students’ Reading Material Be Limited?
As Alfred Whitney Griswold states “Books won’t stay banned. They won’t burn. Ideas won’t go to jail” (Brainy Quote). Physically, books are destroyed. But the ideas that dwell inside stay alive. Even though the ideas live on, society often still forgets them because there is nothing physically left to remind them. Therefore, continuing to ban books in public school systems will only limit the possible knowledge of students. Restricting controversial literature in public education infringes upon the right to freedom of speech, deprives students from potential learning experiences, and violates their ability to freely make choices.
Protected by the First Amendment, Freedom of Speech guarantees the right to read books and magazines, to make telephone calls and write letters to family and …show more content…
While students learn about simple and factual topics from approved textbooks, some of the more serious, real world issues are being hidden from them. For example, Harper Lee’s book To Kill a Mockingbird deals with suggestive topics such as racial content, profanity, and references to rape. These subjects have led to the banning of this book in many classrooms and libraries. Themes such as the ones discussed in To Kill a Mockingbird are considered suggestive and not suitable for younger readers. However, not allowing students to read books that discuss issues like these take away many learning opportunities. It is essential that students learn factual information, but attempting to keep them away from serious, present day issues such as racism can prevent them from seeing real world matters. The current generation will one day be the leaders of the world. If what they are taught about the events that are going on around them is limited, their potential to solve these issues will decrease
As Alfred Whitney Griswold states “Books won’t stay banned. They won’t burn. Ideas won’t go to jail” (Brainy Quote). Physically, books are destroyed. But the ideas that dwell inside stay alive. Even though the ideas live on, society often still forgets them because there is nothing physically left to remind them. Therefore, continuing to ban books in public school systems will only limit the possible knowledge of students. Restricting controversial literature in public education infringes upon the right to freedom of speech, deprives students from potential learning experiences, and violates their ability to freely make choices.
Protected by the First Amendment, Freedom of Speech guarantees the right to read books and magazines, to make telephone calls and write letters to family and …show more content…
While students learn about simple and factual topics from approved textbooks, some of the more serious, real world issues are being hidden from them. For example, Harper Lee’s book To Kill a Mockingbird deals with suggestive topics such as racial content, profanity, and references to rape. These subjects have led to the banning of this book in many classrooms and libraries. Themes such as the ones discussed in To Kill a Mockingbird are considered suggestive and not suitable for younger readers. However, not allowing students to read books that discuss issues like these take away many learning opportunities. It is essential that students learn factual information, but attempting to keep them away from serious, present day issues such as racism can prevent them from seeing real world matters. The current generation will one day be the leaders of the world. If what they are taught about the events that are going on around them is limited, their potential to solve these issues will decrease