Banned Book Week was October 1st-7th.

On the week of October 1st-7th, readers internationally are using Banned Book Week to celebrate their freedom to read. According to Harvard University, the first book ban occurred in 1637 in a town newly known as Quincy, Massachusetts. Since then, banning books has become more routine in today’s society, yet many previously challenged books are now known as today’s classics.

According to PEN America, a nonprofit organization that aims to protect the freedom of reading and writing, over 4,000 books have been banned throughout schools across the country since July of 2021. Numerous books that hint to government censorship, like Fahrenheit 451 and Brave New World, have ironically been banned a multitude of times. Many parents and administrators advocate that certain books will expose children and sway them in a certain way.

Governmental influence is a significant factor of public school curriculum and literature limitations. Many spectators believe that banning books is a political theater, or a ploy, to distract society from larger issues. For example, during times of crisis, bans on books seem to be the focus. Few states have stable gun regulations, yet noticeably have more regulated books. Instead of worrying about censoring literature, parents and school boards should focus their worries on the children’s future, by addressing topics like climate change and mass shootings.

Throughout the country, numerous teachers and librarians have been charged, or arrested, due to obtaining books with certain content. Ms. Pressley (English Teacher) states that, “Banned books make sense to an extent, but it has ruined the way educators do things… Teachers have to go through a list of books that are deemed appropriate and plan their lessons off of those.” Some believe that banning books only causes them to become more sought after and think an alternative could be to contextualize these books as a lesson.

Some believe banning books is necessary to society, but others oppose that banning books is an infringement of the freedom to access information. Addy Weaver (9) believes that “Banning books in the 21^st century is just preposterous. It prohibits free speech and violates rights.” Regardless of your stance of banned books, most people can agree that books are a valuable source that allow for intellectual growth.