Banned Books Week is September 23rd to 29th. It’s almost over, but it’s not too late to celebrate!
Every banned book week makes me think about good intentions, and censorship. Some people, I’m sure, are trying to protect someone–often their children–from being hurt by the images a particular book contains in its pages.
And, yet… whatever terrible thing that happens in the book is still out there, in the real world, and is probably better addressed at an appropriate age and in the appropriate fashion, than ignored.
Ignoring it doesn’t make it go away.
Which is why I was wearing my banned book shirt today–ban ignorance, not books. Someone commented on it, because her sister is a teacher, and we talked about how knowledge really is a powerful force.
It’s nice to meet someone else who believes books are a spark to light up lives, not burn down homes.
Have you read a banned/challenged book recently?
Here’s the American Library Association’s list of frequently banned and challenged books, if you’re interested.
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