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Literary Censorship
Opinion Editorial
In early February, the Forsyth Board of Education banned eight books from their school libraries. This raises the question of if censorship is beneficial for youth, or does the lack of education and knowledge breed ignorance.
Literary Censorship: Projects
In early February, the GA Forsyth Board of Education banned eight books from their school libraries:
All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson
Juliet Takes a Breath by Gabby Rivera
L8r, g8r by Lauren Myracle
Me Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews
Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult
Out of Darkness by Ashley Hope Perez
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
The Infinite Moment of Us by Lauren Myracle
On the same day these books were banned, Gov. Brian Kemp visited Forsyth County schools and spoke about his educational goals for 2022. His focal point was removing “obscene items” from school property.
The books banned from Forsyth school libraries dealt with sensitive, difficult and somewhat awkward topics. All Boys Aren’t Blue is the memoir of a young Black boy growing up in the LGBTQ+ community. Me Earl and the Dying Girl discusses a boy who befriends a girl with Leukemia. Nineteen Minutes discusses a school shooting.
While the books contain thematic elements, language, violence and sexual content, these are topics today’s youth face in day-to-day life. They can easily find information about these topics online, without adult supervision or guidance.
A parent notified the superintendent about books with concerning content and illustrations on school property. After investigation, the local school board decided to remove the books due to “pervasively vulgar” content.
Local school boards have the authority to remove things they find vulgar or explicit, giving them full authority to censor youth from difficult but important topics.
Literary Censorship: Text
Topics like sexual identity, offensive language and race are the most censored subjects in the public-school system. This ignores the fact that young people’s lives reflect these subjects on a day-to-day basis.
Literary Censorship: Quote
According to GA Senate Bill 226 (a.k.a. the “library censorship bill”), a book must receive a complaint from either a parent or legal guardian of a student to be banned. The school board will follow their complaint resolution policy. Despite the recent passing of GA SB226, the parameters for book banning are still vague and unclear. Thus, a school board could stick to a particular set of ideologies or beliefs and ban books that don’t align with those principles.
Because of the subjectiveness of the term “pervasively vulgar”, it is dangerous to allow school boards to censor literature based on their convictions and beliefs. There is not enough precedent, clarification or guidelines about literary censorship to set standards on what should or should not be allowed on school property.
Topics like sexual identity, offensive language and race are the most censored subjects in the public school system, ignoring that young people’s lives reflect these subjects daily.
Until recently, literature that dealt with the LGBTQ+ community was absent from the public school curriculum. But with over 11.7% of the youth population in the U.S. identifying as LGBTQ+ according to a nationwide survey performed by the CDC, it is vital to represent and educate on sexual identities.
Literature should not be prohibited because it brings up difficult conversations. Instead, these dialogues should be fostered in the school system. Youth should be aware and educated on subjects they encounter. Whether it is sex, race, religion, politics or language, they must develop an understanding of these matters.
By depriving children of these conversations, educators are doing more harm than good. With a lack of education and knowledge of real-world topics, youth will maintain an ignorance that carries on into adulthood.
Banning literature that one might find explicit or obscene is harmful. Ignorance fosters uniformed youth and segregation. When they are uninformed, they cannot make safe and correct decisions.
Literary Censorship: Text
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