On Friday, August 29, six major U.S. publishing houses, along with several bestselling authors, filed suit against the State of Florida over recent legislation that has resulted in book bans across the state. The challenge is that the law allows the banning of books based on sexual or pornographic content “without consideration of the book as a whole, as the Supreme Court requires.” It’s also, obviously, a First Amendment issue.
As a Florida resident, I’ve been reading about the book bans on a regular basis. Everything from The Diary of Anne Frank to books by Stephen King has been pulled from shelves, often based on a single complaint. The reason for the quick reactions from the libraries and schools is that the penalties can range from fines to loss of licensure.
I’d share a full list of the books currently banned in Florida, but I don’t have enough space (unless you’re willing to scroll for an hour or so). In addition to the ones I mentioned above, a few other titles include For Whom the Bell Tolls by Ernest Hemingway, Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry, Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy, and The Once and Future King by T.H. White.
I’ve written about book bans in the past and I find them to be ridiculous. The argument for them is that it’s to protect children, but I think that’s just a smoke screen. It’s more about controlling ideas and dulling critical thinking skills. A questioning child isn’t necessarily a child who will do and think as they are told.
The way I look at it, if someone doesn’t want their child to read a particular book, then tell them not to. If they still get a copy and read it, then that’s between the parent and child. That’s not the fault of the librarian, the teacher, or the bookseller.
The responsibility falls on the parent to monitor what their child hears, reads, and sees. If you don’t want them to read Brave New World in their high school literature class, then home-school them. There’s no need to restrict the reading of all the students just because one parent is afraid their child might actually think for themselves.
Coincidently, Banned Book Week is just around the corner. From September 22nd through the 28th, the American Library Association will be celebrating freedom of speech and open access to information. I’ll be posting more about that in a week or two. In the meantime, show your support for the cause by reading a banned book, contributing to a First Amendment organization, or simply thanking a teacher or librarian for their hard work.
RB
Book bans are like your Mom feeling cold and telling you to put a hat on. Why those offended by the books can’t simply follow the usual practice of not reading something they do not like or do not approve of is mind boggling. Now, if a book makes you feel….guilty, bad, embarrassed, sad, empathetic, etc. just ban it and all those wrongs done and all those bad feeling simply disappear…poof. Books and life in general are supposed to make you feel…something, anything. I say, sue the S— out of them and put them back in their lane. Have a great day.
Good one, Allan. Happy Friday to you.
It is so absurd, dear Pat, that I cannot understand why ALL people of this state don’t protest.
Joanna
PS, I apologize for not reading your posts yesterday as I was not at home.
You are forgiven Joanna, despite having nothing for which to apologize. Thanks for commenting today. I hope you had a nice day out.
Interesting and a bit scaring!
Absolutely, Luisa.
🙏🥀🙏
The few books you do quote are mind-boggling
Indeed they are, Derrick. What most people consider to be great literature, others find reprehensible based on puritan ideas.
Thanks so much for taking the time to comment.
After seeing your comment, Derrick, and went back to read the list of the banned. The Once and Future King by TH White is among the most absurd book title I read. Wonder if it was Uther Pendragon or Arthur and his half sister that got it banned. God forbid it was Merlin and his magic.
Richard, I have been reading about this and thank you for encapsulating the lawsuit. Isn’t it odd that many of the same people that argue voraciously about their first and second amendment rights are among the first to try to deny at least the first amendment rights to others? (Like all encompassing statements this does not apply to everyone.)
My pleasure. I’m amazed at the hypocrisy of the people who clamor for censoring things they don’t like or understand. Their mindset seems to be “Rules for thee, but not for me.”
Hopefully, the courts will side with freedom of speech and expression.