Banned Books or Banned Television?

There is something about the term "banned books" or "frequently-challenged books" that sparks an interest, and practically has me chasing the titles who have received such an attachment with their name, so I, too, can learn what all the fuss is about.

I'd like to take Ani Vrabel's advice and pick up one of the controversial reads that she mentions in her article "10 Frequently-Challenged Books Everyone Should Read." I read much of Judy Blume in elementary school, Lord of the Flies in high school, and The Giver in my Young Adult Literature class in college. But, now I sit reflecting on what controversy I may have missed or have forgotten over the years for these reads to land themselves on the frequently-challenged or banned book list?

The key words that I found while glancing over Vrabel's list are sexual immorality, social injustice, profanity and references to communism. If I am not mistaken, most of the issues that have been defined as ban-worthy material, continue in their perpetuation through books, in reality, and ALL OVER television! If MTV's Jersey Shore can land itself a prime time slot in entertainment times for teens and actually have a growing number of viewers, we are in some serious hot water.

And a serious mix-up.


But after all, at least we have rights.

"Censorship cannot eliminate evil. It can only kill freedom. We believe Americans have the right to buy, stores have the right to sell, authors have the right to write and publishers have the right to publish Constitutionally-protected material. Period." Excerpt from a letter to 28 newspapers, signed by Ed Morrow, president, American Booksellers Assn. and Harry Hoffman, president, Walden Book Co., Inc. (1990). Taken from here.

And unfortunately, reality TV stars have the right to show the world what they are idiots if they would like.


Really, what about banned TV, already?

~cbm

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