Hello, this is a current event research paper. Guidelines are below, and at the bottom is the textbook to reference.
In an article posted on USlegal.com titled “Book Censorship” the author reminds us that book censorship has existed in the United States from its beginning. While there were federal anti-obscenity laws, censorship itself was not mandated by federal and state governments. The 1873 Comstock Act called for the banning of literature deemed sexually arousing, even indirectly. The act also banned the mailing, importation, and transportation of any printed material (even private letters) that contained lewd or lascivious material. Some books affected by the Comstock included The Decameron (written by Giovanni Boccaccio in the fourteenth century), Tolstoy’s Kreutzer Sonata, Hemingway’s “For Whom the Bell Tolls”, and D.H. Lawrence’s “Lady Chatterley’s Lover”.
The article lists a number of United States Supreme Court cases, beginning in the 1950’s that changed the scope of censorship laws here in the United States.
According to US News, now more than ever, young children and teenagers of all backgrounds and identities are seeing themselves and their families represented in literature. Unfortunately, in some places, books touching on diversity of race, religion, gender identity, and sexual orientation are being taken off library shelves and removed from K-12 classroom curricula.
Censorship of books in a democratic society is akin to burning books in Nazi, Germany or apartheid in South Africa. Does our Country not live by our Constitution? Are we allowing others to dictate what we read, think, and do? Are certain political groups and individuals with draconian tactics such as banning books, silencing writers, and attempting to erase stories? Are we to allow certain figures to dictate what we read, think, and believe? Continue reading…
The American Library Association tracked 729 attempts to remove library, school, and university materials in 2021, which involved 1,579 books. In comparison, the association tracked 156 attempts in 2020 and 377 in 2019.
Most books on the 2022 list were written by black or LGBTQ authors. Among the reasons cited for the bans: LGBTQ content, sexually explicit content, profanity, violence, and anti-police messaging.
The Detroit Legal News posted the following article on February 18, 2022: “In 1941 George Orwell warned of a threat to freedom posed by book banning. In 1945 Orwell published, “Animal Farm” in which farm animal revolt and overthrow their oppressive humans. The only begin operating the farm only to be deceived by two farm pigs who end up standing on their hind feet, wearing clothes, and assuming an oppressive role over the other animals, just as the humans.
It was only a short time later and in 1949, his book titled, “1984”. The novel introduces the reader to a fictional Republic of Oceania, the Party, and Big Brother. The three slogans of Oceania were, WAR IS PEACE, FREEDOM IS SLAVERY, AND IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH.”
In his writing of “1984”, Orwell identified the “future totalitarian tactics”. In fast forwarding to modern day America, I ask you to research and compare the actions of many of our Governors in censoring what we read and hence the very way we think.
The Detroit Legal News continued with this statement: “A large amount of former President Donald Trump’s play book can be compared to Orwell’s “1984”. The first underlying assumption in “1984” is to doublespeak. Can we not interpret that as being the same as what Kellyanne Conway termed “Alternative” facts?
President Trump’s biggest lie involved the vote count of the 2020 Presidential election and his demand that “real” Republicans swear allegiance to the false result which is the Party reality of Today’s Republican National Convention (RNC). The RNC even censures Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger and view that the January 6 insurrection was “legitimate political discourse”.”
Is there any way to see the comparison?
Current Event Paper:
Research book censorship in the United States and at least one communist Country throughout history. What comparisons can be made? In your opinion, should book censorship ever be allowed in the United States of America? Why or why not? Should we allow our government officials to limit what we are allowed to read and learn about? Many of the books are children’s books and many written by authors coming from a minority background. Some of the books banned are a children’s book titled, “Captain Underpants”, the “Harry Potter” series, “The Hate U Give” by Angie Thomas, “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl” by Jesse Andrews and many others. Do you believe in censorship or are books beneficial for academic engagement and achievement?
Criminal Justice in America By George F. Cole/Christopher E. Smith/Christina DeJong Edition: 010 Publisher: Cengage ISBN: 9780357456330 ISBN10: 0357456335
