Hello readers! It’s time for a Book Blogger Hop! I usually do BBHs on Sundays, but we are moving them to Saturdays. This is one weekly meme that I really appreciate for not being a set day of the week.
If you’ve never heard of Book Blogger Hop, it is hosted by Ramblings of a Coffee Addict. Each week a discussion topic is given and many book bloggers post based on that topic. New topics start on Friday and end the following Thursday. I personally always post my answers on Sundays.
8th – 14th – Do you agree that libraries should ban books?
According to the American Library Association, the most common reasons for books being banned or challenged is sexually explicit materials, offensive language, and that it was unsuited to any group.
On one level, I do understand the restriction of books. Not every book is suited for every age of reader. I do not understand outright banning books.
From what I know, most libraries don’t actually ban books. They are not required to unless it’s a school library. However, they are required to allow people to fill out those challenge forms.
In my opinion, I think the banning of books comes from people who do not know how to mind their own business. They can’t just not read the books they find offensive, they have to impose their beliefs on everyone else.
Everyone has the right to information! Even though many people are attempting to make it true, we do not live in a Fascist society. The one power we have as people is that of information. Libraries are usually committed to giving you access to every side of an argument, even if one side isn’t factual.
It seems that most banning attempts are racist or homophobic. The most banned books each year, which the ALA compiles a list of, are usually books centering race or LGBT identities.
Almost every single year this book is on the list for everything under the dang sun. You wanna know what is ironic about it? This book was challenged in 2020 because of the allegations against the author.
The ironic thing is that you never see books like this on the list by people who have done worse things than Sherman Alexie.
Somehow Sherman Alexie gets called out. Is it because he is Indigenous?
Trump can sexually assault women and Ron DeSantis can force kids to learn that black people benefited from slavery, but their books are not challenged.
In my opinion, the people who challenge books are afraid of information. If you are intelligent, they can’t manipulate you.
If we ban books for having LGBT conversations, we might as well ban all books that have any kind of conversations around straight people as well. If a children’s book has a straight couple who express they are in love or show physical affection, is that not also imposing a sexuality on them? From their logic anyways…
Y’all, my local schools are LUCKY my child is not in public school. I would be one of those nightmare parents. No one is going to tell me what my child can and can’t read or teach her misinformation. I happen to live in a state that still celebrates Christopher Columbus, who committed genocide.
I could seriously talk about this topic all day, but it’s getting me a bit heated. I’ll end in there. BUT, in conclusion, I do not believe in banning books because that is banning information and freedom of thought.
Where to find me: https://linktr.ee/Allithebookgiraffe
Add this user on Goodreads for all your trigger warning needs: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/86920464-trigger-warning-database
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