Banned books reaching shelves

Banned

Still Strikes Controversial Cord With Readers

SHARON M. KOLANKIEWICZ STAFF WRITER SMK724@CABRINI EDU

Many schools do not let young readers read classic books such as “To Kill a Mocking Bird,” and “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” to name a few. All around the nation, many schools have been banning books from students which contain sexual content, violence, racism and vulgar language.

People in favor of banning books such as “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” complain that children and young adults should not be exposed to this vulgarity and explicit language and violence. However, people generally opposed to book banning, including J.T Turtzo a junior, believes that it is important to encourage students to read these books. Many people who share the same beliefs as Turtzo believe the books help children understand the world.

“I think schools should allowstudentstoreadthose kinds of books. In the real world students will be exposed to violence, racism, and sexual content,” Turtzo said. He thinks schools should not shelter their students, because if they do, they will get a rude awakening when their students enter the real world. It is a sense of ignorance.

Turtzo also believes high school students should be allowed to read this material. On the other hand, students not in high school should not read literature containing violence, racism, or sexual content at a very indepth level, mainly because they have not developed a full maturity level yet.

On the other hand, sophomore Fiona Bride is on the fence with this issue. She believes students should still be allowed to expand their knowledge with books; however, she is still not fully opposed to book banning. She believes the choice is up to the schools and parents of the students.

“I think it is the school’s decision on what books are chosen to be banned. However, I believe the parents should have a say in what their children read. If both groups disagree with each other, they could always compromise,” Bride said. Bride also says it is difficult to determine what is appropriate for students to read.

“If I was a parent, and my child read a book I felt was inappropriate or contained immoral material, I believe the child should be allowed to expand his or her knowledge by reading the book. If the child wanted to read the book, I would not deprive him or her,” Bride said.

There are people who share Turtzo’s beliefs, and there are people who share the same ideas as Bride. It appears that Turtzo’s feelings and opinions which is generally against book banning is a mutual feeling among book banning protesters. This mutual feeling against book banning tends to be felt by English professors as well. Professor Amy DeBlasis believes book banning is irrational and school administrations need to use more sensitive approaches especially when books address certain events in history.

“I think the banning of any book is highly irrational. In the Holocaust Museum, there is a picture of a heap of burning books, and below it reads, “Wherever books are burned, bodies will follow.” When I hear about books being banned, I cannot help but think of this image” DeBlasis said.

She also believes that school administrations should be more open to these books and maintain a higher sensitivity level to the controversial matters addressed in certain books.

“What we need from school administration are sensitive approaches to difficult matters. I would have no problem with my daughter reading a book that defied my belief system. Banning a book does not eradicate an idea, it just makes it impossible to discuss in a meaningful forum. I think we learn more from what frightens or offends us, and part of that may include reading something that is unpleasant to us,” DeBlasis said.

The beliefs of James Esch, a lecturer in English, on book banning are similar to DeBlasis’ beliefs. “In principle, I’m opposedtobookbanning. Education should be about encouraging the free exchange of ideas, not the proscription of books because one disagrees or is offended by them. Very little will be learned if we refuse to be challenged out of our complacency and work through the tough issues facing society. I would be suspicious of those in power who presume to know what is good for me without giving me the chance to decide for myself.

A loud recording of the Monster Mash blares over the speakers to signal the beginning of Urban’s set. It fades and Urban appears on the stages shortly after 9 p.m. by himself to sing the first part of his latest single, “Days Go By” from his newest release “Be Here.”

Urban balanced out his set, singing selections from previous albums, “Golden Road,” and self titled “Keith Urban.” He even went as far back as singing a song titled “Homespun Love” from his first band, “The Ranch.”

On the floor, 21 rows back from the stage, a security guard

By 11 p.m. Urban left the stage and the crowd filtered out of the Arena and back into the casino. Many piled out of the Atlantic City casino to trek home while some stayed behind for some more turns at the slots and a few games of poker.

Walking back to the parking lot to retrieve their car, the man in the camouflage hat hoots and hollers loudly, still dancing with his girlfriend who is just as wired and drunk as he is.

“This was awesome! The best way to spend my 21st birthday!” Apassing woman said.

“Oh definitely!” Her friend said. They shared a high-five. ending their night in Atlantic City, NJ.