Censorship

Censorship is an increasing situation in all districts and states.  “The Ripple Effect of Censorship: Silencing in the Classroom” brings forth the issues with censorship.  Censorship is truly “silencing” teachers and students. 

            On page 59, Noll states, “their subsequent hesitancy to use—or decision not to use—certain pieces of literature for fear of negative repercussions.”  Teachers have to be tremendously cautious as to what they are teaching and what novels or pieces of literature they choose.  Making this decision is like a teacher being trapped in a room full of mouse traps covering the floor.  One wrong move can cost you. 

            Censorship is different in different districts, but it is still on the rise.  Teachers are seeing the same issues too.  Noll noted on page 60 that, “they have been questioned, challenged, or censored for their use of certain literature.”  Every English teacher thinks about censorship and “expressed concern about the issue of censorship” (60).  A teacher has to limit their students because of the fear of censorship which should not have to happen.  A student should receive the most out of their education.  When a student hits the “real-world” there isn’t going to be any censorship.  A student should be exposed to these pieces of literature to grow as a person.  Some of the material may be offensive or something they do not agree with but parents and students need to understand it’s a piece of literature that was chosen for a reason and they will learn something from it.  A student should NEVER be limited!  School districts fear the parents.  On page 60, Natalia had a complaint from a parent about Helter-Skelter.  The parent did not know anything about the novel.  The school district made the parent happy by removing the text.  Parents have misconceptions and assume so many things that they end up limiting their own child.

            Since we cannot avoid censorship and we will all be first year teachers soon, this is something we will have to face.  School districts do vary from one another but you have to be careful as to what you choose in your classroom and reading material.  One teacher mentioned in the article expressed on page 60, “that set the tone for my career in teaching, and I have been cautious ever since.”  A certain text can cost you your job. 

            On page 61, “it has a negative effect that has worked harm, both in chilling the spirits of teachers and students and in placing some books in the deep freeze.”  Teachers are questioning and reviewing texts that they have used before.  They remove them from their own list in fear of censorship and their job.  As a teacher, we have to play it safe.

            Some teachers have started teaching censorship which I feel is what needs to be done.  Students need to be exposed to these issues.  They cannot be sheltered.  On page 62, a teacher encourages, “her students to read, discuss, and write about novels which have been censored elsewhere and to share the books with their parents.” I feel the way to decrease censorship is to address it with students and parents which is where teachers see complaints coming from.  A student can learn a lot and grow from the exposure of censorship.  As a teacher, I feel you can get meaningful discussions through texts that are controversial. 

Here I found an article about censorship and how to handle it in your classroom:

http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/curr031.shtml

The American Library Association has a link about banned books and the issues that go along with it.  It also gives a list of the top banned books of the year, etc.

http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/index.cfm