F#¢k the censorship

The practice of banning books is a form of censorship either for: political, legal, religious, or moral motives. Banned books include fiction and nonfiction stories such as novels, poems, plays and biographies.

Each book has been banned for several different reasons, but some have been taken off the banned list and released to the public.

In response to the current complaints of banning books, several organizations such as the American Library Association (ALA) and the Freedom to Read Foundation have employed various civilians to help combat book censorship in all its forms.

Some books have been banned for almost 100 years. However, before a book becomes banned, someone must first try to challenge it. The ALA defines a challenge as an attempt to remove or restrict materials based upon the objections of a person or group, and a successful challenge would result in a ban of the book.

According to the ALA, “The Catcher in the Rye” was the most censored book in high schools and libraries in the United States. In 1981, it was both the most censored and the second most taught book in U.S. public schools.

Some other well-known books that were banned, but have now been re-released for the public, include Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, American Psycho, Catch-22, and The Da Vinci Code. In addition, the Bible is currently banned in several countries due to its religious viewpoints.

As of 2015, the top five most challenged books are “Looking For Alaska” by John Green, “Fifty Shades of Grey” by E.L. James, “I Am Jazz” by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings, “Beyond Magenta” by Susan Kuklin, and “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the NightTime” by Mark Haddon.

Librarians do not judge the content of books on whether or not it would be suitable for all audiences. They should not discriminate any type of information on the basis of age, sex or race, which means that people can check out whatever materials they choose. However, the libraries may request that parents and guardians of minors monitor their selections. Libraries are now beginning to host an annual event named Banned Books Week, which is dedicated to presenting books to the public that were once banned.

Pro/Con: Flu vaccines

According to the ALA President Carol Brey-Casiano, “Not every book is right for every person, but providing a wide range of reading choices is vital for learning, exploration and imagination. The abilities to read, speak, think and express ourselves freely are core American values.” Different books reach people in different ways. Each book is targeted for a certain age group. For instance, a book like ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ is not intended for adolescents. It is up to the adults to oversee what their children are viewing or reading. However, it’s not up to them to try and censor what the rest of the public views as appropriate. The books that were once banned are now major stories that people have enjoyed indulging themselves in and will continue to enjoy for years to come.

With Pierce College encouraging students to get vaccinated, reporters are weighing in on their thoughts regarding vaccinations.

RICHARD ESPINOZA Reporter @rjenews71

I have been a building and grounds worker for the Los Angeles Unified School District for 14 years and one of the most common issues I deal with is germs. Although LAUSD does not make it mandatory for its B&G workers or school plant managers to take a flu shot, because it’s a personal choice, I will tell you why vaccines are important and why I recommend everyone should take them.

No matter where you go, germs are everywhere. For example, if you work in a location such as a hospital, school, restaurant or supermarket, you deal with germs that can cause a bad cold and lead to influenza. In addition, you can find germs on door knobs, shopping cart handles and in public restrooms. Think about the amount of people that visit grocery stores and public restrooms on a daily basis. Not only are they touching all the same objects that you will eventually touch, but it is impossible to know what kind of bacteria others may potentially be spreading. This is why getting a flu shot is important, to reduce your chances of getting sick due to bacteria.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,

Photographers:

Amy Au Reza Rastegarrazi

Ezzat Wanas

Calvin B. Alagot

Jordan Nathan Sonia Gurrola

Advisers:

Advertising

22 million sick days are taken each year due to the common cold alone. This figure comes from the NSF International website (National Sanitation Federation) that explains in detail how dangerous germs can be.

As a building and grounds worker, good sanitation is important to kill germs. When you work around children like I do, getting a flu shot is important because kids sneeze and spread dirt and snot that can get on doors or sinks, where kids frequently wash their hands.

To be fair and balanced on this topic, getting a flu shot does not one hundred percent guarantee that you will not get sick, but it does reduce your chances of contracting the rhinovirus.

Keep in mind that the flu shot is not for everyone. If you are scared of injections, the flu-mist is a nasal spray alternative that does not require a needle. According to the Facey Medical Group questionnaire forms, women who are pregnant or anyone who is allergic to eggs or has bad allergies are ineligible to have a flu shot.

JOSHUA MANES Reporter @tweeporting

Vaccines are unnecessary and don’t need to be taken.

I’m not going to get out here and start telling stories about children developing autism after vaccinations, that was enough of a joke four years ago. Truth is, there are many things anyone should at least think about before blindly taking the shot.

Vaccines have been known to cause serious and sometimes fatal side effects. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, all vaccines carry the risk of a lifethreatening allergic reaction of about one in every one million. The CDC also reports that the chickenpox vaccine has caused pneumonia, and the possibility that the flu vaccine could be linked to Guillain-Barre Syndrome in one or two per million cases.

Do you know what’s in some of those vaccines? Yeah, we all know that a vaccine is the disease itself, but what about the other ingredients?

Aluminum and formaldehyde can be found in some vaccines. Some flu vaccines contain skin, eye, and respiratory irritants, while others can contain chicken egg protein. That last part doesn’t sound bad, unless you’re allergic to eggs or adhere to certain vegetarian or vegan philosophies.

marketing, and let’s not forget, selling those vaccines. Pharmaceutical companies are in it to make money. We can see from the recent EpiPen fiasco, as well as the actions of Martin Shkreli last year, that these companies’ main concern is profit. These pharmaceutical companies also have a history of cover-ups when it comes to drugs being unsafe or dangerous. I’m not saying that any companies are withholding information regarding vaccines, but just know who it is you’re trusting.

Speaking from personal experience, I’ve received a flu shot once in the last 20 years. My arm hurt and was stiff for three days. The following year was the only time in that same 20 year span that I actually caught the flu. Did my body possibly get used to getting vaccinated thus making me more susceptible the next year when I didn’t get a shot?

When it comes down to it, vaccination is a matter of choice. Some make the argument that requiring vaccinations makes everyone safer but this opens up a whole new can of worms regarding the government’s reach. The decision should end with you.

rjespinoza.roundupnews@gmail.com jmanes.roundupnews@gmail.com

How about who’s making, only in the editorials.

Cartoons and photos, unless run under the editorial masthead, and columns are the opinions of the creators and not necessarily that of the Roundup. The college newspaper is published as a learning experience under the college journalism instructional program. The editorial and advertising materials published herein, including any opinions expressed, are the responsibility of the student newspaper staff. Under appropriate state and federal court decisions, these materials are free from prior restraint by the virtue of the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America. Accordingly, materials published herein, including any opinions expressed, should not be interpreted as the position of the L.A. Community College District, the college or any officer or employee thereof.