Removing Books From Shelves....

Can you imagine one day, when you go to the library in hopes to find a favorite book but when you look at the shelves it is no longer there? Or you go online trying to look for an eBook of your favorite title and to your dismay it is no longer available. You start thinking why and then after asking a librarian or doing your own research, you realize that the book was removed because it was banned by the U.S. Government.

It sounds outrageous but this scenario has occurred quite few times in the history of the United States. A few examples of books that have been banned or challenged are the following: Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, the Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Where's Waldo, Lord of the Flies, Goosebumps (the Series), James and the Giant Peach, and I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, etc. (The complete list can be found here)

I have read all the books that I have mentioned and also quite a few that are on that list from the link. I would be outraged if the U.S. Government went to drastic measures by banning books. (Although, the blame cannot entirely be placed on them because there are groups who try to challenge books in hopes of getting them banned.) I don't see how such actions are warranted because authors and publishers for the most part are protected under the First Amendment. Granted, there are certain restrictions, especially pertaining to things that are considered obscene, libel, and or slander. However, much of the books mentioned on the list cannot be categorized under those restrictions.

Much of my negative attitudes towards the thought of banning books is towards the groups that initiate the challenges. They are the ones that are trying to influence the politicians and in some cases have succeeded. Yet, in many instances these same groups did not even read the book that they are trying to ban. So how can they argue against something that they have no clue about? Furthermore, while they may be doing it in their best interest to protect their children. Who are they to decide on what is best for my children? (I don't have children, but my statement is more so a figure of speech.) Shouldn't the individual and the parents be able to make a decision on what is acceptable to read or not read? Basically their actions, are denying other parents rights of raising a child. They are also denying the basic principle that has been the foundation of this country, which is the person's ability to make choices.

They are many genres of books, which allows people to make a wide range of selections. If they don't like a certain book or genre, they can just move on. Just because one particular book is published and it is considered unconventional or it contains "inappropriate" content doesn't warrant it to be banned. I guess it is easier to simply ban a book instead of going through the process of hearing both sides. Yet, if schools and libraries succumb to these groups' request or the U.S. Government mandates that certain books should be banned, where does it end? Today it is books, tomorrow it is music, the next day movies, the day after that it is art. U.S. Citizens would be denied their rights to think independently.