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Social Conservatives are at it again in the Golden State
Here they go again: These guys are just incredible.
Banned Books Week
Banned Books Week
By Raija Curchill
Banned Books Week promotes every person's freedom to express opinions, and to access all opinions, even when "unorthodox or unpopular." It is sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and begins on Saturday, September 29. Intellectual freedom is a wonderful part of the American way. This week dealing with censorship, however, is misleading. Not only is "censorship" a routine aspect of every librarian's work, but the titles on ALA's Most Frequently Challenged Books of 2006 list are shockingly inappropriate for their target audiences.
ALA defines censorship as changing an item's accessibility, based on its content, when the decision is made by a governing authority. Librarians routinely make such decisions on the front end: what materials they will, and will not, introduce into their libraries. Yet requiring minors to get parental permission before borrowing R rated movies is "censorship." Restricting children's access to pornography is "censorship." ALA encourages librarians to maintain the "confidentiality" of young adults, which in publishing terms, means 12 through 18 year olds. This makes parenting harder. It is censorship, though, that Banned Books Week calls "harmful."
There is a crucial difference between suppressing free speech and determining what is appropriate for schoolyard reading. Every title on ALA's Most Frequently Challenged Books list is used in schools and/or written for school aged students. They were challenged for content: sexual content, occult/Satanism, drug use, violence, and more. Consider three examples:
· And Tango Makes Three, written for children aged four to eight, is based on a true story about two male penguins and their baby Tango. It teaches that homosexual families are natural and good.
· The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things is written for 12-15 year olds. The ALA's Booklist describes its protagonist: "She wants a boyfriend, but she settles for Froggy Welsh, who comes over on Mondays to grope her." Around its sexual theme, this book discusses family dysfunction, self-mutilation, female masturbation, and date rape.
· The Perks of Being a Wallflower chronicles the maturation of Charlie, who was sexually abused as a child. He smokes pot to gain friends. He drops acid. According to Insight Magazine, the book includes boy-dog sex, man-boy sex, anal sex between boys, male masturbation, and female masturbation.
Challenging a book does not prevent adults from reading it. This is about who shapes the morals of American students. Parents deserve support in their efforts to protect children from unsuitable content. According to ALA, the "positive message" of Banned Books Week is that "most challenges are unsuccessful." These books are regularly "retained in the school curriculum or library collection." Yet when ALA frames Banned Books Week in terms of censoring ideas, it is not promoting the American way. It is undermining conscientious parents across the nation.
For Banned Books Week this year, consider asking your library about its policies on pornographic and R rated materials. If you enjoy a pro-family book that is not in your library, you can make a purchase request. Do your part to support families in your community.
American Library Association Banned Books Week
ALA's Most Frequently Challenged Books of 2006
Raija Churchill, a senior at Patrick Henry College, is an intern filling the position of Research Associate. Her work for CRI includes a booklet informing parents about what children encounter in public schools, from vaccinations to teaching on Islam. It will show parents their rights-and equip them to respond. Other research includes a comparison of the political parties' values on issues that impact California families.
Raija's prior research for the Congressional Pro-Life Caucus and national organizations detailed the illegal use of federal funds in abortion programs. Under former TIME senior correspondent Dr. David Aikman, she researched legal and human rights issues in intercountry adoption. Her volunteer work in disaster preparation has been recognized by the American Red Cross and others.
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