According to popular culture, America is obsessed with the phrase “Netflix and chill,” emojis, and whatever new atrocity Miley Cyrus is committing. But I believe that America’s true obsession is with something much less concrete: control. The root of many of our insecurities can be attributed to an abnormal fear of lack of control. Aging, unruly children, and weight gain are all examples of things that feel so undesirable because they communicate to the world that we don’t have control over our lives. Out of this obsession has emerged an interesting sub-culture: the over involved but well-meaning parent, hovering over their child’s every move. A helicopter parent, as we’ve come to know these mothers and fathers, attempts to carefully monitor
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In fact, many of the different groups against banning books take this viewpoint: to read is to educate, and why should a person be allowed to determine the way another educates himself? As the amount of books being challenged increases, the authors who are known for writing about controversial topics have begun to hear more and more about their books being looked at with scrutiny and criticism. Judy Blume is one such author. Her many books chronicle adolescence in what some would consider to be an uncensored form, and most have been challenged at some point. In an interview, Blume stated that when her books were first being challenged, she thought, “This is America: we don 't have censorship, we have freedom to read, freedom to write, freedom of the press, we don 't do this, we don 't ban books” (qtd. in Flood). One would think that with freedom of press comes the freedom to read that which has been written and published. But more and more, these freedoms seem to mean different things to different people in the battle over books. Not only does it prevent people from reading what they want, but it also imposes the views of a select group of people onto all people. In an interview, high school English teacher Lisa Lacy said, “[Banning books implies] that people don’t have the rational ability to decide what’s appropriate for them or what they’re interested in. It runs counter to the American ideal of being able to learn and speak your mind and be a free thinking individual” (Lacy). Some might read about the conflict and wonder what the big deal is with 50 Shades of Gray and why anyone cares whether it’s in the library or not. Do I really feel 50 Shades of Gray is quality literature that leaves a lasting mark on our generation? Would I, personally, choose to read the book despite its
In fact, many of the different groups against banning books take this viewpoint: to read is to educate, and why should a person be allowed to determine the way another educates himself? As the amount of books being challenged increases, the authors who are known for writing about controversial topics have begun to hear more and more about their books being looked at with scrutiny and criticism. Judy Blume is one such author. Her many books chronicle adolescence in what some would consider to be an uncensored form, and most have been challenged at some point. In an interview, Blume stated that when her books were first being challenged, she thought, “This is America: we don 't have censorship, we have freedom to read, freedom to write, freedom of the press, we don 't do this, we don 't ban books” (qtd. in Flood). One would think that with freedom of press comes the freedom to read that which has been written and published. But more and more, these freedoms seem to mean different things to different people in the battle over books. Not only does it prevent people from reading what they want, but it also imposes the views of a select group of people onto all people. In an interview, high school English teacher Lisa Lacy said, “[Banning books implies] that people don’t have the rational ability to decide what’s appropriate for them or what they’re interested in. It runs counter to the American ideal of being able to learn and speak your mind and be a free thinking individual” (Lacy). Some might read about the conflict and wonder what the big deal is with 50 Shades of Gray and why anyone cares whether it’s in the library or not. Do I really feel 50 Shades of Gray is quality literature that leaves a lasting mark on our generation? Would I, personally, choose to read the book despite its