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mary_j_59Okay - this post was inspired by a couple of conversations I read recently, and also an interview with a young local reporter, who wanted to speak to me about banned books week. The ALA (American Library Association) celebrates Banned Books week every year during the last week of September. Here's the link to the interview: http://www.thedailyarmonk.com/news/armonk-librarian-displays-previously-banned-books.
And here are the two conversations. In the first, the teen spies at YA confidential were outraged at censorship - but then said they, themselves, might ban books containing sexism. In the second a young Jewish woman reviews Uris's Exodus. In her final sentence, she advocates burning that book for its vile racist stereotypes and the harm it has done. But - I just don't think it's ever right to burn books!
http://yaconfidential.blogspot.com/2011/09/teen-roundtable-book-banning.html
http://www.jewcy.com/religion-and-beliefs/exodus_sexist_racist_softcore_porn
As a librarian, as I said in Dan's interview, I am strongly opposed to banning books. That must include books that are difficult, and even books - like Exodus that tell lies and preach hate. Honestly, we have worse books than that on our shelves. I could name a couple! But, if you were going to ban books at all, it would be awfully tempting to ban those that indulge in racist or sexist stereotypes, wouldn't it? It would be - for me, at least - even more tempting to ban those that advocate violence against other human beings because of their race, religion, or sexuality. Such books, to me, are absolutely vile. But - if we take the first amendment seriously, we still can't ban them.
So what do we do when a book, or a series of books, sells ideas that are toxic? What if these books are hugely popular, and what if their toxic message is unquestioned?* The best I can do is to try to find a book with an opposing viewpoint and make it available to our patrons. It's not my job to preach to anyone. But, I have to say, when faced with the sort of stereotypes Uris indulges in, it's awfully tempting to preach!
What do you think? Are there any books you would ever ban, under any circumstances? Which ones, and why?
* A couple of series that have been hugely popular with teens have shown toxic relationships and presented them as normal, or even desirable. Yes, Twilight, I'm looking at you! The Harry Potter books also, IMHO, present mixed messages about bullying, racism, and relationships. That doesn't mean we should ban those books, or even limit their circulation. It does mean we should discuss them and think about them.
And here are the two conversations. In the first, the teen spies at YA confidential were outraged at censorship - but then said they, themselves, might ban books containing sexism. In the second a young Jewish woman reviews Uris's Exodus. In her final sentence, she advocates burning that book for its vile racist stereotypes and the harm it has done. But - I just don't think it's ever right to burn books!
http://yaconfidential.blogspot.com/2011/09/teen-roundtable-book-banning.html
http://www.jewcy.com/religion-and-beliefs/exodus_sexist_racist_softcore_porn
As a librarian, as I said in Dan's interview, I am strongly opposed to banning books. That must include books that are difficult, and even books - like Exodus that tell lies and preach hate. Honestly, we have worse books than that on our shelves. I could name a couple! But, if you were going to ban books at all, it would be awfully tempting to ban those that indulge in racist or sexist stereotypes, wouldn't it? It would be - for me, at least - even more tempting to ban those that advocate violence against other human beings because of their race, religion, or sexuality. Such books, to me, are absolutely vile. But - if we take the first amendment seriously, we still can't ban them.
So what do we do when a book, or a series of books, sells ideas that are toxic? What if these books are hugely popular, and what if their toxic message is unquestioned?* The best I can do is to try to find a book with an opposing viewpoint and make it available to our patrons. It's not my job to preach to anyone. But, I have to say, when faced with the sort of stereotypes Uris indulges in, it's awfully tempting to preach!
What do you think? Are there any books you would ever ban, under any circumstances? Which ones, and why?
* A couple of series that have been hugely popular with teens have shown toxic relationships and presented them as normal, or even desirable. Yes, Twilight, I'm looking at you! The Harry Potter books also, IMHO, present mixed messages about bullying, racism, and relationships. That doesn't mean we should ban those books, or even limit their circulation. It does mean we should discuss them and think about them.