The Censorship Debate

The Censor vs. Literature

The Catcher in the Rye, Of Mice and Men, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Animal Farm, and Forever may, at first glance, have nothing in common. Nothing except the fact all five of these beloved titles are among the hundreds of books being challenged and banned in public school libraries around the United States each year. As more titles are added, classics are constantly under fire, and in some cases, removed from the shelves so young growing minds cannot access them. Only a parent can make a determination as to the appropriateness of literary choices for his/her child, and for a parent to make a judgment for other children goes against the intellectual freedom of the children it may affect.

Freedom of speech, as granted by the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights, states, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for redress of grievance" (22 Wikipedia1). Though the Constitution was written for men, by men, over the centuries it has come to encompass the population as a whole, and is understood to grant these freedoms to all races, sexes, and ages. On this understanding, the Constitution provides that all citizens, including children, have the right to access literature with differing points of view, and a variety of topics, without the hindrance of a group of people wishing to impose its views on the masses.

The First Amendment is written in a way that is open to interpretation, however, there are certain freedoms that can be read as implied. The freedom to speak one's mind, or to read or watch what one pleases, regardless of some finding it offensive or unpopular, is granted to Americans. Defining "acceptable" is a job for individuals, and in this case parents or families. Individuals must take responsibility for determining what materials are appropriate for themselves and their children.