Banned Books Week

[nhboy]

Book banning and Burnings in America

Yes, book burnings sometimes happen in America. Far more often, there are efforts to ban books from school and public libraries by various groups trying to suppress access to ideas of which they do not approve -- from Harry Potter to Huckleberry Finn.

Many of those responsible for efforts to ban books from schools and libraries are groups and individuals affiliated with the religious right, particularly in recent years as the American Family Association, among others, have whipped up-fears about Harry Potter books and films.

Fortunately, for more than 25 years, the American Library Association and the American Booksellers Foundation for Freedom of Expression, among others, have sponsored Banned Books Week to highlight the importance of the Freedom to Read. This year, Banned Books Week runs from September 29-Oct 6th.
LINK

 

[jetmonkey]

Wow, religion must be evil.

 

[vegmom]

I attended a far-far-right Baptist school that would not let us read fairy tales or any book that merely mentioned magic.

It's not just religious groups that object to books though. There are far left crazies who want classic works banned from classrooms because they contain words that we consider un-PC these days. Ban Huck Finn for having the n-word? Why not! After all, there was no racism back in the 1850's .....

Heck, the word "ejaculated" appears multiple times in Anne of Green Gables, but of course in an 1890's context and useage.

 

[jetmonkey]

I attended a far-far-right Baptist school that would not let us read fairy tales or any book that merely mentioned magic.

It's not just religious groups that object to books though. There are far left crazies who want classic works banned from classrooms because they contain words that we consider un-PC these days. Ban Huck Finn for having the n-word? Why not! After all, there was no racism back in the 1850's .....

Heck, the word "ejaculated" appears multiple times in Anne of Green Gables, but of course in an 1890's context and useage.

What did they call it back then?

 

[vegmom]

In the book they use it to mean "spouted forth" as in words. I am sure the more medical definition was used too, but the one in the book was the most common at the time.

 

[Larry Gude]

Anh...

Many of those responsible for efforts to ban books from schools and libraries are groups and individuals affiliated with the religious right,

...go walk around the campus of a liberal arts school reading a Limbaugh book and see if you don't not only get set on fire but then arrested and charged with a hate crime.

 

[jetmonkey]

In the book they use it to mean "spouted forth" as in words. I am sure the more medical definition was used too, but the one in the book was the most common at the time.

I was asking about the other thing. I want to use it next time.

 

[vegmom]

I was asking about the other thing. I want to use it next time.

Not too up on 1890s slang, sorry. I am sure the proper medical term was the same then as it is now .

 

[nhboy]

...go walk around the campus of a liberal arts school reading a Limbaugh book and see if you don't not only get set on fire but then arrested and charged with a hate crime.

This is the only Limbaugh book allowed on a liberal arts campus......

 

[Larry Gude]

Got me...

This is the only Limbaugh book allowed on a liberal arts campus......

...there. They may not burn that one.

 

[Dymphna]

I remembered talking about banned books here a few years back... search on it if you want, it was interesting.

Back then I was looking for kid's books and reasons for banning... I never did find a good list, but I just found this one that's interesting...

Banned books A-I

Banned books J-Z

American Heritage Dictionary (1969)

In 1978, an Eldon, Missouri library banned the dictionary because it contained 39 "objectionable" words. And, in 1987, the Anchorage School Board banned the dictionary for similar reasons, i.e., having slang definitions for words such as "bed," "knocker," and "balls."