Our Childhood is Being Banned

By: Johnathan Skidmore
Copy/Layout Editor

“Where the Wild Things Are,” “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland,” Goosebumps,” “The Lorax,” “Fahrenheit 451,” “James and the Giant Peach,” “The BFG,” “The Giver,” “The Giving Tree,” “The Grapes of Wrath” and “To Kill a Mockingbird.”

What do all of these books have in common?

Are they childhood classics? Are they books that have all received awards for their literary prowess, diction and symbolism? Are they books that every child should read in order to consider themselves culturally educated?

No. They are all books which have been banned. They are books which have been removed from libraries all over the country. They are books which cannot be read in a classroom, cannot be discussed in most literary circles and in all likelihood will not be taught to our future children.

“Where the Wild Things Are” promotes running away. “The Lorax” espouses environmentalism while portraying industry negatively. “The Giver” was banned due to the topic of euthanasia. “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” is banned for drug use.

“Fahrenheit 451,” a novel written primarily as a voice against censorship, is not completely banned. Most high schools only allow a certain copy to be used. In this edition, certain words have been removed, such as “hell,” “damn” and “abortion.” Were Ray Bradbury deceased, he’d turn over in his grave screaming profanities. As it is, this is how he probably wakes up in the morning. For, after all, his greatest fear of overt censorship is being realized.

Next week is Banned Books Week. Celebrate the freedom to read and make your way to the library. The new book section is fostering a large selection of books which have been banned.

Tuesday, Sept. 26, at 4 p.m., there will be a presentation led by Professor Susan Van Kirk on book censorship and “To Kill a Mockingbird” will be shown Wednesday, Sept. 27, both in the Hewes Electronic Classroom.

Keep reading. .