Banned Books

JEFFREY GIBSON

STAFF WRITER

Literature has always been a topic of controversy. In schools across the nation, children are taught morals from these works, yet the school curriculum has banned many of them.

Books from Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird” to Robert P. Warren’s “All The King’s Men,” and even Vladimir Nabokov’s “Lolita” have been banned at some time in the U.S. and even in some of the countries they came from. Most books are banned for delving into the controversies of racism, or include some form of violence or explicit religious content. However, some believe that it is these extreme but unique depictions that make these books valuable to study. Although, it remains that, as students and scholars,  one must understand that not everyone has the access to such great works of fiction and nonfiction. Americans have access to many world-renowned literary works unlike more conservative countries.

One should realize that reading books is a privilege and not a right.The material we read speaks loudly of the truth, and while some may be considered breaches in what is deemed appropriate, ultimately these novels are unique and enlightening nevertheless.