Over the years, books have been banned, burned, and censored. Some of these books are now considered classics and are on the reading lists of high school English classes everywhere. Some of them you may have heard of. Some of them you may even have read. Some of them plainly express ideas and ideals that make it clear why people of earlier, less enlightened times banned and burned material that is today cherished for the same reasons it was scorned in the past. Some of them, however, leave you wondering why they were censored.
Check out a list of banned classics here: http://www.ala.org/bbooks/frequentlychallengedbooks/classics
As you read, try to figure out why earlier generations banned books that are now considered essential to a good education. Ask yourself why books are banned, burned, and censored. Do you believe in censorship? What kind of book should be censored, and which should be free for all to read and enjoy? Is it right for anyone else to pass judgement on what you can and cannot read, or should all books be available for individual readers to pass judgement on? Does book censorship ultimately hurt or help society? Does it fly in the face of free speech and free press, or does it serve the purpose of protecting the public from possibly 'dangerous' ideas? Try to imagine a world with stricter censorship, or a world with no censorship.
Leave your thoughts and opinions on this matter in the comments!
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