The American Library Association (ALA) champions the freedom to read and access diverse viewpoints, even those considered controversial. They firmly believe in making these perspectives available to everyone. Book banning and challenges are ongoing issues that impact this fundamental freedom. Understanding the nuances of these challenges and the reasons behind them is crucial for safeguarding intellectual freedom. This article delves into frequently asked questions surrounding banned and challenged books to illuminate this important topic.
Defining Book Challenges and Bans
It’s essential to distinguish between a challenge and a ban when discussing censorship in literature. A challenge is defined as an attempt to remove or restrict materials based on objections from an individual or group. This is more than simply expressing a viewpoint; it’s an active effort to limit what others can access. A banning, on the other hand, is the actual removal of these materials from a curriculum or library.
Fortunately, due to the dedication of librarians, educators, parents, and students, the majority of challenges are unsuccessful. Most books facing challenges are ultimately retained within school curriculums or library collections, ensuring continued access for all.
The Motivations Behind Book Bans: Why Do People Challenge Books?
The reasons Why Are Books Banned or challenged are often rooted in a desire to protect, particularly children, from what challengers perceive as harmful ideas or information. While the intention behind these challenges might be well-meaning, censorship, regardless of its motivation, can have detrimental effects.
As John Stuart Mill eloquently stated in On Liberty, silencing any opinion, even a minority one, deprives humanity of potential truth and understanding. He argued, “If all mankind minus one, were of one opinion, and only one person were of the contrary opinion, mankind would be no more justified in silencing that one person, than he, if he had the power, would be justified in silencing mankind.” Mill emphasized that suppressing an opinion, whether right or wrong, robs society of the opportunity for intellectual growth and the reinforcement of truth through engagement with differing perspectives.
Frequently, book challenges are sparked by concerns about protecting children from “inappropriate” sexual content or “offensive” language. The ALA’s Office of Intellectual Freedom consistently reports these as the top reasons for challenges:
- Material is deemed “sexually explicit.”
- Material contains “offensive language.”
- Material is considered “unsuited to any age group.”
While protecting children is a valid concern, the ALA’s interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights, titled “Access to Library Resources and Services for Minors”, clarifies that parents alone hold the right and responsibility to guide their own children’s access to library resources. Librarians are bound by the First Amendment and cannot censor constitutionally protected speech, regardless of the motivation.
Justice William J. Brennan, Jr., in Texas v. Johnson, powerfully articulated this principle: “If there is a bedrock principle underlying the First Amendment, it is that the government may not prohibit the expression of an idea simply because society finds the idea itself offensive or disagreeable.” This underscores the importance of protecting even unpopular or offensive ideas to safeguard freedom of expression.
Noam Chomsky further emphasizes this point: “If we don’t believe in freedom of expression for people we despise, we don’t believe in it at all.” Similarly, Justice William O. Douglas warned against the dangers of restricting free thought, calling it “the most dangerous of all subversions” and “the one un-American act that could most easily defeat us.”
Who Challenges Books?
Throughout history, individuals and groups across the ideological spectrum have challenged books for various reasons. It’s not limited to one particular viewpoint or demographic. People from all walks of life attempt to suppress ideas that conflict with their own beliefs.
Nat Hentoff, in his book Free Speech for Me—But Not for Thee, highlights this widespread tendency, quoting former Los Angeles Times editor Phil Kerby, who stated, “Censorship is the strongest drive in human nature; sex is a weak second.” This suggests that the urge to control information and suppress dissenting voices is a powerful human impulse.
According to ALA infographics, parents are the most frequent group challenging materials in libraries and schools. This reinforces the idea that challenges often stem from parental concerns about protecting their children.
ALA’s Role: Promoting Freedom to Read
It’s crucial to understand that the ALA does not ban books. Instead, the ALA actively opposes censorship and works to ensure free access to information for everyone. The ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) plays a vital role by collecting reports of book challenges and bans from libraries, schools, and media outlets across the nation. This compilation of challenged books serves to inform the public about ongoing censorship efforts affecting educational institutions and libraries.
To further promote awareness and the freedom to read, the ALA sponsors Banned Books Week, an annual event dedicated to highlighting the value of free and open access to information and celebrating the freedom to read.
In conclusion, understanding why are books banned requires recognizing the complex motivations behind censorship, the importance of intellectual freedom, and the crucial role of organizations like the ALA in safeguarding these fundamental rights. While challenges often arise from a desire to protect, particularly children, the principle of free expression dictates that access to a wide range of ideas and viewpoints must be protected for all.
