By Michael Dominguez
Books should not be banned from public places because of its nature or be banned from being read.
Students who understand the concept of these books learn from them and gain knowledge on the topic. Such topics include racism and gender roles. Books should not be banned from those wanting to gain knowledge on something.
One of the most banned books is “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” by Mark Twain.
The book was banned because it uses the “N” word multiple times, indicating racism. Regardless of this, the book should still be allowed because racism today still exists and the book could give readers a better understanding on how the world is and how people treat others based on the color of their skin.
“The Catcher in the Rye” is another banned book because it features bad language and graphic scenes. This is not a reason for a book to be banned.
This type of language is seen and heard all over our televisions and in music.
What’s the difference between reading graphic images and bad language and paying for cable to see shows with the same thing?
Why can’t people read a book with the same ideas in the classroom? Young people will have many questions after reading a book like “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” or “Catcher in the Rye,” but parents should explain the information in the book so that they’re not shocked by the language or graphic scenes.
Books are also a way to learn about topics like men’s and women’s sexuality and their bodies. This was the case with the book “Our Bodies, Ourselves: Boston Women’s Health Book Collective,” which was banned for using the word vagina.
“Sexual Behavior in the Human Male” was also banned for asking men and women to talk about their sex lives.
People should have the freedom to read anything they want. Why are there a total of 5,099 challenged books since 2009, and more every year as books are released?
Parents, schools and public libraries should stop being scared to talk about uncomfortable topics.
Everything we read is for a reason, and that reason is to learn from people’s past and not repeat the same mistakes.