Effects of Censorship
On Readers Censoring books affect readers by limiting the boundaries of their learning experience. Literature contains a variety of useful information and important life lessons which can both challenge and nourish the mind. Banning certain books prevents readers from obtaining the knowledge enriching benefits these books have to offer. An article from the Lifescript website states that "while parents may be tempted to shelter their children from issues that they find unfavorable or offensive, they may be restricting their child’s ability to grow and learn at the same time." Censoring books due to disagreeable information and differing ideas is will most likely narrow a reader's views. On Writers Censorship affects writers at a much more personal level. Not only does it infringe on their freedom of speech, but it also limits the extent of how far they can take their imagination. It sends an indirect message about what writers can and cannot write about. According to Melissa Donovan's article from Writing Forward, "There is nothing that will cause more harm to a writer’s spirit, wreak more havoc on a writer’s heart, or do more damage to a writer’s livelihood than censorship." Banning books discourages writers and constrains their creative freedom. On Publishers According to an article discussing the history of censorship on the Cyber College website, "publishers have spent millions of dollars fighting censorship cases over the years." Not only does censorship affect publishers financially, it also affects their choices on what they allow to be published. In order to avoid financial losses and the risk of offending anyone, publishers have been forced to perform a bit of censoring on their own. Some publishers have taken measures to edit certain books by deleting particular contents that might elicit some controversy (Cyber College). On Educators Censorship forces educators to abandon their teaching goals. In order to avoid possible disputes over classroom materials, some teachers are compelled to choose books that tend to be less controversial. According to a research study performed by Jane Agee for the English Journal, the teachers who participated admitted that choosing more intellectually enriching books which also tend to create more controversy "could jeopardize their careers." Some schools have even taken the initiative to provide teachers with a list of approved reading materials (Agee). Educators who choose to remain true to their teaching objectives by deviating from the use of traditional text materials often take a huge risk in doing so. Some teachers' professional and personal lives have been damaged by well publicized debates in courts or school boards (Agee). On Librarians Censorship affects the choices librarians make about the type of books they put on the library shelves. According to an article written by Charles Oppenheim and Victoria Smith about censorship in libraries, librarians refrained from purchasing books which they feared might cause problems with the public. It seems that librarians are opting for less controversial books in order to avoid risking the effects of being challenged. Librarians must face a decision between providing the public with intellectual freedom or protecting them from information that might be considered harmful. |
Uses of Censorship
Censorship is sometimes used by dominant groups to suppress views that might threaten their own ideals. These groups may choose to prevent certain types of information from public circulation as a tool for maintaining power over the general population. One example of a similar event is the literary purge in Nazi Germany back in 1933 when books, documents, and artworks considered degenerate by Nazi authorities were burned because they "undermined what was defined as pure German language, culture, and traditional values" (Giroux). Another motive for banning certain books is to enforce particular beliefs such as those relating to religion and moral values. Books by gay authors and literature containing references to the acceptance of homosexuality have been challenged by the public because they oppose most people's views of morality. In 2009, Alabama State Representative, Gerald Allen proposed a bill that would ban public school libraries from buying anymore books "written by gay authors or about gay characters" (Holguin). |
Organizations that Oppose Censorship
National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC) This organization provides support and resources to organizations or individuals dealing with cases of censorship. They also work to increase the public's awareness about censorship, and encourage people to fight it. Freedom to Read Foundation (FTRF) This organization focuses on promoting and protecting the people's rights to freedom of speech and the press. They help libraries and librarians to fight censorship as well as protect the public's rights to access of information. American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression (ABFFE) This organization helps booksellers fight against censorship. They provide information about the importance of free expression, oppose restrictions on the freedom of speech by participating in legal cases involving the First Amendment, and work with other anti-censorship groups to promote free speech. Organizations that Promote Censorship
American Family Association (AFA) This organization claims to "restrain evil by exposing the works of darkness." Their mission is to help maintain the moral foundations of the American culture. Christian Coalition This organization works to ensure that the government "serves to strengthen and preserve, rather than threaten, families and our values. |
Sources:
"About ABFFE - American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression." American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 May 2012. <http://www.abffe.org/?page=AboutUs>.
"About AFA." American Family Association. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 May 2012. <http://www.afa.net/Detail.aspx?id=31#OUR-MISSION>.
"About the Freedom to Read Foundation | American Library Association." ALA | Home - American Library Association. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 May 2012. <http://www.ala.org/groups/affiliates/relatedgroups/freedomtoreadfoundation/aboutftrf/aboutftrf>.
Agee, Jane. "The Effects of Censorship on Experienced High School English Teachers." University at Albany - SUNY . N.p., n.d. Web. 7 May 2012. <http://www.albany.edu/cela/publication/article/censor.htm>.
"Censorship In Schools And The Effects On Our Children | Lifescript.com." Women's Health Issues | Women's Health Questions & Answers | Women's Health Articles | Lifescript.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 May 2012. <http://www.lifescript.com/life/family/kids/censorship_in_schools_and_the_effects_on_our_children.aspx>.
Giroux, Henry. "Book Burning in Arizona." TruthOut. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 May 2012. <http://truth-out.org/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=6548:book-burning-in-arizona>.
"National Coalition Against Censorship -- NCAC." National Coalition Against Censorship -- NCAC. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 May 2012. <http://www.ncac.org/>.
Oppenheim, Charles , and Victoria Smith. "Censorship in Libraries." PB Works. IOS Press, n.d. Web. 3 May 2012. <pacificreference.pbworks.com/f/Censorship+in+Libraries.pdf>.
"Public Service Announcement: Writers, Censorship, and SOPA | News | Writing Forward." Creative Writing | Writing Tips | Writing Forward. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 May 2012. <http://www.writingforward.com/news-announcements/news-and-announcements/public-service-announcement-writers-censorship-and-sopa>.
Ravitch, Diane, documents many examples of seemingly innocuous words, and phrases that are edited out of today's books.. "The History of Book Publishing - Censorship to Consolidation." CyberCollege Index Page for Free TV Production and Mass Media Course. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 May 2012. <http://www.cybercollege.com/frtv/book3.htm>.
"About AFA." American Family Association. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 May 2012. <http://www.afa.net/Detail.aspx?id=31#OUR-MISSION>.
"About the Freedom to Read Foundation | American Library Association." ALA | Home - American Library Association. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 May 2012. <http://www.ala.org/groups/affiliates/relatedgroups/freedomtoreadfoundation/aboutftrf/aboutftrf>.
Agee, Jane. "The Effects of Censorship on Experienced High School English Teachers." University at Albany - SUNY . N.p., n.d. Web. 7 May 2012. <http://www.albany.edu/cela/publication/article/censor.htm>.
"Censorship In Schools And The Effects On Our Children | Lifescript.com." Women's Health Issues | Women's Health Questions & Answers | Women's Health Articles | Lifescript.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 May 2012. <http://www.lifescript.com/life/family/kids/censorship_in_schools_and_the_effects_on_our_children.aspx>.
Giroux, Henry. "Book Burning in Arizona." TruthOut. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 May 2012. <http://truth-out.org/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=6548:book-burning-in-arizona>.
"National Coalition Against Censorship -- NCAC." National Coalition Against Censorship -- NCAC. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 May 2012. <http://www.ncac.org/>.
Oppenheim, Charles , and Victoria Smith. "Censorship in Libraries." PB Works. IOS Press, n.d. Web. 3 May 2012. <pacificreference.pbworks.com/f/Censorship+in+Libraries.pdf>.
"Public Service Announcement: Writers, Censorship, and SOPA | News | Writing Forward." Creative Writing | Writing Tips | Writing Forward. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 May 2012. <http://www.writingforward.com/news-announcements/news-and-announcements/public-service-announcement-writers-censorship-and-sopa>.
Ravitch, Diane, documents many examples of seemingly innocuous words, and phrases that are edited out of today's books.. "The History of Book Publishing - Censorship to Consolidation." CyberCollege Index Page for Free TV Production and Mass Media Course. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 May 2012. <http://www.cybercollege.com/frtv/book3.htm>.