Although we are taught in grade school about all of our rights and freedoms, it is important to recognize that various forms of expression, if not all at one point or another, have been censored, banned, or withheld, from the public. Whether it be religious groups, community leaders and politicians, or even school systems, art forms such as books, music, movies and more have been banned in an effort to protect the public or keep the peace. Those are the advertised reasons anyway. We celebrate Banned Books Week because it’s important, not only to embrace the diversity of ideas and appreciate the books that make us think but also because book censorship is still happening. Many people, when they think about Banned Books, they think ‘oh that’s just something that happened in small towns in the 50s by fanatics.’ Wrong. It could happen anywhere, and any time for any reason.
Most recently there was a novel banned by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice because the Directors Review Committee claimed that “parts of the book contained ‘material on the setting up and operation of criminal schemes or how to avoid detection of criminal schemes by lawful authorities charged with the responsibility of detecting such illegal activity.’” It had become popular with prison inmates which I suppose is what made officials nervous. They saw it as a sort of manual for crime, however I believe it was popular because the inmates related to it and understood it.
The book is titled Wolf Boys: Two American Teenagers and Mexico’s Most Dangerous Drug Cartel by Dan Slater.
Banned books are important for several reasons. Namely, developing critical thought and exploration. Readers should have the right to read anything they wish to read and have the opportunity to challenge and improve themselves. And writers for that matter should have the right to express their thoughts and feelings in written work.
So do yourself a favor and pick up a banned book today. Think about who challenged it and why. Consider the impact that it has had and soak up every word. Click the photo for a list of Banned Books that you should definitely read.
-Madeline, Intern
*Blog post shared between Beaufort Books and Spencer Hill Press