Embedded Files
Writers: Alexandra Ghenciu, Nayleen Vue, Graceana Hardy, Hana Soltani
Book Banning
In today’s society, a common thread is the present censorship in our lives. From book bans to blocked websites, it may not even be something most people notice. According to the American Library Association, 2,452 book titles were “challenged” to be banned in the last year. These numbers continue to rise. Whether you're passionate about this large social issue or were just forced to read Fahrenheit 451 at school, we’ve known about banned books for a long time. Still, the problem persists.
This article will highlight what some of the teachers in our school think about the situation we face now. Even in Wisconsin, book bans are becoming more and more common. Parents have been petitioning the removal of books from classrooms and have seemingly succeeded. The control of what students these days are being exposed to is a move being taken by schools all over. It’s only when basic human rights and views want to be controlled that people begin fighting back. Protests, movements, and projects are a constant way that people have been fighting back against book bans for years.
Even though the reading materials of students are what is being restricted, this affects teachers, too. In some countries, teaching material is so heavily censored that topics like science are even controlled. To see how book bans aren’t just a large and vague issue, but one that we all face today, we’ll highlight the perspective of our staff.
*Please note that some interview were done over email while other were in-person.
Ms. Briese:
“I feel that the banning of books is incredibly sad. It denies students access to information and ideas. Often, the banned books are some of the most inspiring and thought-provoking literature. I understand that parents may be concerned about what their children are exposed to. I would love for them to recognize that their values and the engaging conversation they have fostered throughout their lives are what most influence and shape their children. I am concerned that denying students exposure to controversy, history, and information about other cultures will result in a society with a "me first" attitude unwilling and unable to connect with anyone who lives a different lifestyle or has viewpoints other than our own.”
Ms. Pietroske:
I could write a novel on this, but, if it's okay, here's a quote that often resonates with me on the topic instead:
“It's not just the books under fire now that worry me. It is the books that will never be written. The books that will never be read. And all due to the fear of censorship.”
-Judy Blume
Ms. Cleven:
“I believe all students should have access to information so that they can make informed decisions throughout their lives. I do not agree with book banning and believe that it is up to an individual to make informed choices about the media they are consuming. Books and literature are so powerful, and I truly believe that all people have the right to access information.”
Ms. Montplaisir:
“I don't really think that there's any positive for book banning. It feels like there is always an agenda behind book banning and wanting people to think a certain way. A lot of times, they will use that exact same excuse for banning books. Like, oh, these books are trying to teach people to think a certain way or be a certain way, but I think the opposite is true. It is just showing different perspectives and different people's ideas. So I think there's a little bit of hypocrisy going on with banning. That is my personal take on it because I have not seen a book ban that I thought made sense.
Ultimately what my goal as a teacher is to teach students how to think for themselves and how to formulate their own complex opinions and ideas. It's not necessarily about do you know the best way to read Romeo and Juliet? It's about, can you take an idea and expand upon it with evidence and create your own analysis? Those are important real-world skills. I think the more we constrict what is viewed as appropriate or what people can read, the more we are reducing our trust that students are able to think for themselves and make opinions on their own”.
Ms. Krizek:
“I believe students should have access to a wide range of literature, which is why I’m opposed to book banning. Students and families should be free to choose what they read based on their own values. The issue with banning books is that it removes that choice, not just for one person, but for everyone. It shifts a personal decision into a public restriction, limiting access to information and diverse perspectives. Ultimately, what matters most is protecting individuals’ freedom to read and think for themselves.”
Ms. Huang:
“I don’t approve of book bannings. I think it hinders students’ critical thinking skills and learning to think for themselves in their own way. When you teach a banned book, you are in a safe environment, and can talk about stuff in a more applicable way”.
Ms. Miller:
"As a librarian, we believe in freedom to read and intellectual freedom, which comes from the 1st amendment. It is a right that every person has. So, restricting information or ideas violates the 1st amendment. And when it comes to school, what you want in your library is to have books that can be windows and doors. Every student should be able to find a book which they can see themselves in. Or a window which would open them up to different types of worlds, so that they can have a better understanding of the world around them. So when you restrict books, you are restricting ideas. Another huge thing is empathy; being able to connect and understand others. Stories can help you learn to understand characters and then people. So when you only allow a certain type of story you create a very narrow world. You are limiting beliefs, which can be detrimental to society".
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