Stop banning books

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Banning books must stop. It’s that simple. Banning books has a history in America. The earliest known book ban in 1627 banned “New English Canaan” in Quincy, Massachusetts, according to Harvard University.

Since then, establishments, administrators and people of authority have banned thousands of books, and the American Library Association estimates 2,571 books were subjected to banishment in 2022 alone.

Literature is the foundation of creativity and soul-growing experiences, so what does this mean for the future of freedom to create? Freedom of expression? For art?

Banning books is a damning phenomena. It suppresses creativity, suffocates consumers of art and literature. Book banning blocks parts of artistic history that need to be shared.

“Those advocating a ban complain typically that the book in question contains graphic violence, expresses disrespect for parents and family, is sexually explicit, exalts evil, lacks literary merit, is unsuitable for a particular age group, or includes offensive language,” according to The First Amendment Encyclopedia.

While the intentions behind book banning are for protection and doing what is supposedly right, there is a line of censorship that gets crossed when a book is banned that smothers art for what it is — a human right to express.

Literature is a snapshot of history, a window into a different time.

Literature is racy and scandalous, heart warming and heart breaking.

survey study by Yale researchers.

In addition to harming students’ health, grades are also inefficient motivators for learning. External incentives and rewards, such as grades or paychecks, are less effective than intrinsic motivation, such as a natural curiosity or desire to learn, according to the American Psychological Association.

Grades inhibit a student’s natural desire to learn, and students must find a love for learning within themselves, according to educator Rodney Nillsen.

While teachers can cultivate a love for learning by giving students freedom to tap into their natural curiosity, interests and passions, grades are a barrier to true education. The objective of one’s learning becomes to pass a class and to achieve a grade, not to better oneself and sharpen their mind. A student’s mentality is completely altered.

“People who possess the character strength love of learning are motivated to acquire new skills or knowledge or to build on existing skills or knowledge. They feel good when they are learning new things,” according to psychologist Ben Dean.

Because students’ futures rest upon achieving grades, they are afraid of failure. This fear shapes an anxious, dread-filled learning environment. Students cannot embrace the classroom if they are not given the freedom to make mistakes. Instead, students procrastinate and show decreased effort as excuses for poor work, according to a study by educator Andrew J. Martin.

Learning shouldn’t be a chore. Rather, “education is learning because you want to know. Because you’re curious. Education is learning because you need to know,” according to Jacqueline M. Kory-Westlund in a TEDx Talk.

Instead of a proper measure of one’s

Literature is every part of good and bad; targeting books based on criteria that makes up entertainment and art today is wrong.

The most notable books that are banned are probably ones that you’ve read, your kids read or you’ve heard about at least 10 times in your life.

“The Perks of Being a Wallflower” is No. 27 on CBS’ banned book list. It was targeted for how it “portrayed sexuality, drug use, and suicidal content,” appearing eight times on the 2021-2022 banned books list.

It was also turned into a film in 2012; it has an 85% on Rotten Tomatoes and is beloved by many young adults today.

The banning of this book is flawed. It is about so much more than sex, drugs and suicide, there should be an appreciation for darker stories — a raw telling of life experiences.

“Beloved” by Toni Morrison is the No. 17 book; this classic 1987 American novel by one of the most revered writers in history is inspired by a tragic real-life story of a woman fleeing slavery in Kentucky in the 1850s. It is graphic, violent and truthful.

Despite this honest snapshot into real history and prejudices, CBS reported the book was on 11 book bans in schools in 2022.

These schools are sheltering their children from real events, honest history.

Another story among the CBS banned books is “All Boys Aren’t Blue” by George M. Johnson, chronicling Johnson’s life growing up as a queer, Black man on the East Coast, the book can serve as a great guide for anyone struggling with their sexuality and/or race.

The book was banned in over 29 school districts because “of its LGBTQ content and for being sexually explicit,” according to NPR. LGBTQ+ and sexual content are aspects of literature that should be celebrated as art.

While I don’t think middle schoolers should be reading graphic sex scenes, there is no reason why understanding of course material, a grade is an assessment of how well a student can take a test. Grades simply teach students how to be good test takers, according to Harvard Business Publishing. madison.luc@pepperdine.edu someone shouldn’t have access to a book if they choose to read it.

Furthermore, the use of grades and standardized tests tends to favor wealthier students who have greater access to tutoring and test-prep resources, according to a study by Ezekiel J. Dixon-Roman, Howard Everson and John J. Mcardle.

A genuine desire to learn can help students learn better. I love asking questions, and when I understand how to apply what I learn in school, I am filled with satisfaction.

What is the solution? Without a doubt, education communities need to advocate for change. Educational policy makers and admissions committees must deemphasize the importance of grades.

Educators can embrace new methods of teaching if they want students to love learning.

Students too, can change their perspective on grades. Ignoring one’s grade may be a bold move, but students will find freedom in learning — and achieve the grades they want, too.

While grades are a product of today’s education system and are unlikely to disappear anytime soon, individuals can make a conscious choice to stop their fixation on grades.

There are heavy themes that are explored within Johnson’s story. It covers topics students and young adults encounter on a daily basis; it is not necessary to ban a literary retelling of someone’s life because the people in charge are uncomfortable.

I believe the people who ban books don’t do it for protection. It is because they are uncomfortable with themes, afraid of tough conversations and don’t like pushback and confrontation about things they believe are correct.

As a Journalism major and creative writer, I hate the idea of censorship, dislike the notion of being creatively controlled and I absolutely despise banning books.

The dictatorial ways need to stop. It starts with books, what’s next?

Creativity and freedom of speech are at jeopardy if people continue to allow books to be banned. There are great resources people can utilize to help.

Book banning needs to end — literature needs to be free.