Video:How Are Books Banned?
with Rocco StainoWith so many classics having made the list from time to time, the question "how are books banned?" is an interesting one. Here, learn about banned books.See Transcript
Transcript:How Are Books Banned?
Hi, I'm Rocco Staino. I'm a contributing editor for school Library Journal and a retired school librarian and I'm here for About.com.Basic Question: How Are Books Banned?
I'm here to tell you about why and how books are banned. You know book banning has long been an issue in the United States. And most books are banned because people want to uphold a certain type of morality and protect children. The process of banning a book varies. But, usually a formal complaint is registered.Who Reviews the Banned Books Request?
Either with the library or the school board. A panel will review the objection, read the book, discuss the book, and see if it fall within the collection development policy of the library or that of the school district. As social morays change so do the reasons for book banning. But, one continual topic seems to be coming of age.Classic Books Banned
The Catcher in the Rye. It's protagonist Holden Caufield, his use of obscene or vulgar language, he also is against authority. Between 1961 to 1982 the Catcher in the Rye was the most banned book.Back in 1959, at the dawn of the civil rights movement, a picture book caused a big controversy. The book was called The Rabbit's Wedding and as you can see that we have a black rabbit and a white rabbit. Well, Mr. Williams was accused of brain washing America's youth about interracial marriage.
Self censorship is when the people who are charged with maintaining the collection censor the books within the collection. And back in 1970, you are probably familiar with In The Night Kitchen, by Maurice Sendak. Well, the fact that Mickey was not dressed caused another controversy. Librarians and teachers around the country began to draw little shorts and undies. That's just like blacking out words in a book or tearing out pages.Not all challenges come from conservative, right wing portions of the country.
Liberal left wing groups have long opposed the classic, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn because of the way blacks are treated in the book. And, by the politically incorrect word for blacks used throughout the book.Book banning prevents the free exchange of ideas.
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