What we don't have the right to do is force our beliefs on someone else. That's what Banned Books Week, officially running from September 25-October 2 of this year, is all about. According to the American Library Association, one of the main sponsors of Banned Books Week, "Banned Books (BBW) is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read and the importance of the First Amendment. Held during the last week of September, Banned Books Week highlights the benefits of free and open access to information while drawing attention to the harms of censorship by spotlighting actual or attempted bannings of books across the United States."
Some of you may say, "No way! Banning books? That doesn't happen these days." (Oh, to be so naive.)
It does. Take, for example, Wesley Scroggings, an associate professor at Missouri State University. In this opinion piece, he outlines his reasons as to why he wants Laurie Halse Anderson's SPEAK banned.
SPEAK, filthy and immoral? I think not. It's an incredibly powerful, realistic novel of a brutal attack and its repercussions for the victim. Laurie Halse Anderson responds along with literary agent Janet Reid, and authors Catherine Ryan, Myra McEntire, and A.S. King.
It's one thing to prevent your own children from reading a specific book because you don't feel it's appropriate for them or because you don't like the subject matter. That is your right as a parent. It is also your right NOT to read a book, whatever the reason.
However, it is another thing entirely when someone tries to prevent my child or any other reader from reading that book. That is not their right.
Support freedom of choice. Make your voice heard. Write an opinion piece. Comment on Mr. Scroggings's own piece. Read a banned book today.
My book review blog, The Book Swarm, is holding a five-banned-book giveaway! It runs through October 3rd and is open internationally (anywhere The Book Depository ships).
Interested in more? Check out this fantastic line-up of bloggers, authors, and other book industry folks who spoke out against banning books:
My book review blog, The Book Swarm, is holding a five-banned-book giveaway! It runs through October 3rd and is open internationally (anywhere The Book Depository ships).
Interested in more? Check out this fantastic line-up of bloggers, authors, and other book industry folks who spoke out against banning books:
Below is a list of links of bloggers speaking out against book banning and censorship--in the form of giveaways, posts, and reviews. Some are "officially" participating in what we're calling Bloggers Speak Out, and others are posts that we've found around the blogosphere. If you get time, you should definitely check them out!
Giveaways of Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
**All giveaways will end on 10/3, unless otherwise noted**
Other Giveaways
**All giveaways will end on 10/3, unless otherwise noted**
Other Posts Against Book Banning and Censorship
Authors Speak Out
Important Articles on the Subject
"Filthy Books Demeaning to Republic Education" (the article that started it all)
"Republic School Book Choices under Fire" (Springfield News-Leader)
