Most banned books express positive thoughts toward the LGBTQ+ community. Some are banned because of violence and “too many depressing themes.” Whatever the case, these reasons never justify preventing young adults and children from reading what they choose. Of course, there are age-specific books for a reason, but completely banning material based on one group’s opinion is unacceptable. The First Amendment gives everyone the right to read what they please. Book banning prevents that.
Freshman Stella Gettlefinger claimed, “High school students are old enough to be exposed to all material.” Young adults are usually mature enough to be able to read whatever they see fit without challenges from parents or teachers. Yes, it’s true, some age groups shouldn’t be reading books that are too mature for them. But banning them in whole states and countries is another thing. We live in a society intertwined with often difficult, heavy issues; when people try to prevent children from learning about them, it doesn’t help their knowledge of the world at all.
“[There are] no benefits to banning a book,” Gettlefinger says. “It takes away people’s ability to grow. Reading is so important to me and I couldn’t imagine it being partially taken away,” she continues. “Reading is for everyone. You should be able to read whatever you want.”
The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood, George Orwell’s 1984, and Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo are just a few of countless books banned for portraying varying issues such as exploitation and criticisms of religion in government, pro-communistic views, and homosexual content, respectively. Students and children should be taught to think for themselves — not what their parents, politicians, and school board want them to. Young adults are going to learn about the world and different identities and ideas regardless, so why not teach them when they are younger so they are prepared for all the knowledge that the world has to offer?
“I don’t really think that some books are inappropriate for high school students, I think that some high school students aren’t mature enough to handle some reading topics,” junior Kayla Strickland remarked. When we read freely without any bias or prejudicial opinions, we learn more about ourselves and the world around us. Strickland noted, “If you only give someone the information you want them to know, they’re not going to know much.”
Freshman, Tallulah Folger, mentioned that book banning nationally could spiral into a snowball effect of bans after bans. For schools, she claims “It’s different…you’re supposed to be educating yourself and expanding your knowledge. Schools should pay for books that are going to support this. And if they’re not, they’re wasting their money.” She added, “When you erase all of the evidence that a certain term ever existed, then you’re ignoring all of the people who were hurt by someone who was using that word or phrase.” When people ban books for derogatory terms, it prevents people from learning about the historical problems minorities have faced and are currently facing.
There is never a time justifiable for banning books. The representation of young adults and their access to diverse information hinges on it.
