Banned Book Reading
tFor the Banned Books Virtual Read Out assignment, we were to choose a book that had been excluded from American libraries or schools in the past by regional districts, teachers or parents. These novels were banned for various reasons such as profanity, sexuality, violence, and references to the LGBT community among others. I chose to read the book Native Son by Richard Wright, which explored and followed the life of a 20 year old black man in the 1940s in Chicago, Illinois. (spoilers below)
That black man's name was Bigger Thomas, who brutally murdered the daughter of the city's financial mogul, and killed his own girlfriend, too. He was tried in court on two counts of aggravated murder, and ultimately lost the case. Many folks around the town speculated that Bigger was not proven innocent because he took two lives, but another component to his trial was the fact that he was a black suspect trying to fight for justice against a white jury. Throughout the course of the text, his struggles in a predominantly white society are highlighted as he tries to navigate his way through life without losing his will or sanity.
Native Son was banned in eight states: New Hampshire, New Jersey, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Michigan, Washington, California, and Indiana. The numerous bans were put in place because the novel included "profane, violent and sexual material." While bans like these took place mostly between the 1970s-1990s, books are still outlawed in today's reading and education systems. These pieces of work may be inappropriate in many shapes and forms, and that is an understandable concern for a parent or faculty member to bring up.
However, we should not be forbidden to read a certain text because it has suggestive content. If someone is not happy with a book and what it has to offer, he or she can move on to another choice. No one ever said that that person had to read it. At the same time, there are many cases in which students are required to read a novel for an English or Writing class. In these situations, students who are or have family members that are uncomfortable with the chosen book should be presented with an alternative option. If the book happens to contain really serious content in a manner of profanity, sexuality and violence, parents could sign a permission form so that a student who legitimately wants to read a book has the ability to do so. But no matter what the circumstances are, no book should be taken away from the hungry minds of students. It is important to read controversial literature so that we can look at our past with a more critical perspective. If everything in our society was censored, we would merely have an illusion of reality. I thought that reading a banned book was not only an enjoyable experience, but it brought a lot of value with it, too. I was able to read something that may not have been approved, but that's what made the novel special. While I flipped through the pages of the book, I tried to keep in mind that the issue of reading the novel was once very contentious. I almost felt like I was reliving a part of history, and I was throughly engaged from the first page to the last word.
Below, you will find the video I filmed and edited for the Virtual Read Out activity, where you will find more information about the book I read. Enjoy!
That black man's name was Bigger Thomas, who brutally murdered the daughter of the city's financial mogul, and killed his own girlfriend, too. He was tried in court on two counts of aggravated murder, and ultimately lost the case. Many folks around the town speculated that Bigger was not proven innocent because he took two lives, but another component to his trial was the fact that he was a black suspect trying to fight for justice against a white jury. Throughout the course of the text, his struggles in a predominantly white society are highlighted as he tries to navigate his way through life without losing his will or sanity.
Native Son was banned in eight states: New Hampshire, New Jersey, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Michigan, Washington, California, and Indiana. The numerous bans were put in place because the novel included "profane, violent and sexual material." While bans like these took place mostly between the 1970s-1990s, books are still outlawed in today's reading and education systems. These pieces of work may be inappropriate in many shapes and forms, and that is an understandable concern for a parent or faculty member to bring up.
However, we should not be forbidden to read a certain text because it has suggestive content. If someone is not happy with a book and what it has to offer, he or she can move on to another choice. No one ever said that that person had to read it. At the same time, there are many cases in which students are required to read a novel for an English or Writing class. In these situations, students who are or have family members that are uncomfortable with the chosen book should be presented with an alternative option. If the book happens to contain really serious content in a manner of profanity, sexuality and violence, parents could sign a permission form so that a student who legitimately wants to read a book has the ability to do so. But no matter what the circumstances are, no book should be taken away from the hungry minds of students. It is important to read controversial literature so that we can look at our past with a more critical perspective. If everything in our society was censored, we would merely have an illusion of reality. I thought that reading a banned book was not only an enjoyable experience, but it brought a lot of value with it, too. I was able to read something that may not have been approved, but that's what made the novel special. While I flipped through the pages of the book, I tried to keep in mind that the issue of reading the novel was once very contentious. I almost felt like I was reliving a part of history, and I was throughly engaged from the first page to the last word.
Below, you will find the video I filmed and edited for the Virtual Read Out activity, where you will find more information about the book I read. Enjoy!