Since the invention of the printing press in 1440, stories
have made their way around much faster than word of mouth. Authors have been
able to get their writing to the public sooner and right after this invention,
critics began creating boundaries for written word, which has caused many works
in literature to be passed over on shelf placement in libraries across America.
Censorship offices showed up decades after this invention to protest the
writings it was publishing. Throughout the course of history, The Board of
Education and the American Library Association stand as the two most prominent
catalysts in the book removal equation. However, like all great giants, they
have their roots for which they came from, “Anthony Comstock, considered to be
the pioneer of modern American censorship, persuaded Congress to enact the
Comstock laws, which banned the mailing of materials found to be "lewd, indecent,
filthy or obscene” (Bildner). Since the creation of those laws, Congress slowly
found placement for the burden into specific sectors. The Board of Education was
the first step to this process, founded in 1867, however just a decade later,
the establishment of The American Library Association came about. For its
specific purposes, “the American Library Association was created to provide
leadership for the development, promotion, and improvement of library and
information services and the profession of librarianship in order to enhance
learning and ensure access to information for all” (“Mission and History”).
Despite the existence of the Board of education and the ALA, their actions are not the cause a books to be put under questionable doubt in its content. It comes in various forms like, parents complaining to the school board, churches questioning the morality, and high-school board members in doubt for the content taught to students (Bildner). Though a major purpose for the ALA is to review the contents of a book and come to a decision on its future be holdings in schools, the source of its ambition derives from unofficial forms of groups. Over a century later, a case made its way to the Supreme Court regarding book censorship that would forever change book challenges. The Island Trees School District vs Pico, “was a case in which four Justices of the United States Supreme Court concluded that the First Amendment limits the power of local school boards to remove library books from junior high schools and high schools” (Board of Education, 1). Although parents, schools, and other groups in communities may request a challenge to be beard, neither the ALA nor Board of Education is bound to fulfill such request. In fact, The book I know why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou, “had been called for rejection and not only denied a parent's request to ban the book but said it should be required reading for high school honors classes, among others” (Lawrence).
The effects of censorship could only be estimated in theory; censorship can hinder someone’s right to knowledge. Books provide a plethora of useful material and skills when indulged in the minds of their readers. Every author wields their own peculiar style of writing that differs from the next one and the incorporation of mixed styles can provide certain analytical skills to children. As provided in the previous paragraph, not only does the ALA occasionally deny challenges, they feel some books absolutely necessary for the learning enhancement in school. However, censorship does not bring only a negative consequence in its wake. Some books, no matter the beneficial learning enhancements it may possess, the material held within may prove to be far more damaging than it is good. In some cases a book is just, “viewed as blatantly graphic, pornographic and wholly unacceptable for a high school library” (Lawrence). In the event that such books are to make its way onto book shelves accessed by adolescences in mass, perhaps it becomes a full benefit for the ALA or Board of Education to take the necessary action in banning the book officially from the system.
Lawrence, Calvin. "Banned Books Week: 10 Books that Keep Censors JUmping." ABC News 01 October 2010, n. pag. Web. 1 May. 2013. <http://abcnews.go.com/US/banned-books-week-10-books-censors-jumping/story?id=17332239
Bildner, Phil. " Texas: If You Can't Ban Books, Ban Authors." Time U.s 29 September 2010, n. pag. Web. 1 May. 2013. <http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2022356,00.html>.
"Board of Education, Island Trees Union Free School District." Cornell University Law School. Cornell University. Web. 1 May 2013. <http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/historics/USSC_CR_0457_0853_ZS.html>.
"Mission & History", American Library Association, September 2, 2008.
http://www.ala.org/aboutala/missionhistory (Accessed May 1, 2013)
Document ID: b13f9620-9f9c-0a94-1dd7-7bf93c11d6b6
Despite the existence of the Board of education and the ALA, their actions are not the cause a books to be put under questionable doubt in its content. It comes in various forms like, parents complaining to the school board, churches questioning the morality, and high-school board members in doubt for the content taught to students (Bildner). Though a major purpose for the ALA is to review the contents of a book and come to a decision on its future be holdings in schools, the source of its ambition derives from unofficial forms of groups. Over a century later, a case made its way to the Supreme Court regarding book censorship that would forever change book challenges. The Island Trees School District vs Pico, “was a case in which four Justices of the United States Supreme Court concluded that the First Amendment limits the power of local school boards to remove library books from junior high schools and high schools” (Board of Education, 1). Although parents, schools, and other groups in communities may request a challenge to be beard, neither the ALA nor Board of Education is bound to fulfill such request. In fact, The book I know why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou, “had been called for rejection and not only denied a parent's request to ban the book but said it should be required reading for high school honors classes, among others” (Lawrence).
The effects of censorship could only be estimated in theory; censorship can hinder someone’s right to knowledge. Books provide a plethora of useful material and skills when indulged in the minds of their readers. Every author wields their own peculiar style of writing that differs from the next one and the incorporation of mixed styles can provide certain analytical skills to children. As provided in the previous paragraph, not only does the ALA occasionally deny challenges, they feel some books absolutely necessary for the learning enhancement in school. However, censorship does not bring only a negative consequence in its wake. Some books, no matter the beneficial learning enhancements it may possess, the material held within may prove to be far more damaging than it is good. In some cases a book is just, “viewed as blatantly graphic, pornographic and wholly unacceptable for a high school library” (Lawrence). In the event that such books are to make its way onto book shelves accessed by adolescences in mass, perhaps it becomes a full benefit for the ALA or Board of Education to take the necessary action in banning the book officially from the system.
Lawrence, Calvin. "Banned Books Week: 10 Books that Keep Censors JUmping." ABC News 01 October 2010, n. pag. Web. 1 May. 2013. <http://abcnews.go.com/US/banned-books-week-10-books-censors-jumping/story?id=17332239
Bildner, Phil. " Texas: If You Can't Ban Books, Ban Authors." Time U.s 29 September 2010, n. pag. Web. 1 May. 2013. <http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2022356,00.html>.
"Board of Education, Island Trees Union Free School District." Cornell University Law School. Cornell University. Web. 1 May 2013. <http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/historics/USSC_CR_0457_0853_ZS.html>.
"Mission & History", American Library Association, September 2, 2008.
http://www.ala.org/aboutala/missionhistory (Accessed May 1, 2013)
Document ID: b13f9620-9f9c-0a94-1dd7-7bf93c11d6b6