Censorship in Judy Blume
Research Paper
Censorship means many different things to many different people. To some it may mean the ratings on a movie or video game, or the banning of books. There are many reasons for censorship also, Judy Blume believes that “censorship grows out of fear, and because fear is contagious, some parents are easily swayed” (Judy Blume on the Web). Although censorship may have thought to be and out dated practice and to have no place in our modern society, it is alive and exists in many forms; one of which is book banning. The First Amendment grants authors the freedom to write what they want but it also gives the public the voice to protest against these authors objectionable material. When books like Forever by Judy Blume are removed from public views, it may be under the premise of protecting today’s youth from harsh material; however, it may also result in young readers being deprived of entertaining stories and the chance to learn life lessons.
Books were being censored during the times of ancient Greece and Rome. The books weren’t just unavailable to the public; they were burned. Most people think that burning books is an over rated action, that just banning them is enough. Those people are wrong. Religious rights groups have had, and still do, well publicize bonfires where they burn books, magazines and CDs (Stephy, M.J. Censorship in Modern Times).Censoring books gives parents a sense of closure, knowing that their kids aren’t reading certain books (Judy Blume on the Web). Parents believe that “if their children don’t read about it, their children won’t know about it. And if they don’t know about it, it won’t happen” (Judy Blume on the Web). In the Constitution, the First Amendment states “congress shall make no law…abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press.” These rights may give authors the right to write and publish whatever they like, but it also gives readers the right to voice their feelings toward the book, whether they are negative or
Censorship means many different things to many different people. To some it may mean the ratings on a movie or video game, or the banning of books. There are many reasons for censorship also, Judy Blume believes that “censorship grows out of fear, and because fear is contagious, some parents are easily swayed” (Judy Blume on the Web). Although censorship may have thought to be and out dated practice and to have no place in our modern society, it is alive and exists in many forms; one of which is book banning. The First Amendment grants authors the freedom to write what they want but it also gives the public the voice to protest against these authors objectionable material. When books like Forever by Judy Blume are removed from public views, it may be under the premise of protecting today’s youth from harsh material; however, it may also result in young readers being deprived of entertaining stories and the chance to learn life lessons.
Books were being censored during the times of ancient Greece and Rome. The books weren’t just unavailable to the public; they were burned. Most people think that burning books is an over rated action, that just banning them is enough. Those people are wrong. Religious rights groups have had, and still do, well publicize bonfires where they burn books, magazines and CDs (Stephy, M.J. Censorship in Modern Times).Censoring books gives parents a sense of closure, knowing that their kids aren’t reading certain books (Judy Blume on the Web). Parents believe that “if their children don’t read about it, their children won’t know about it. And if they don’t know about it, it won’t happen” (Judy Blume on the Web). In the Constitution, the First Amendment states “congress shall make no law…abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press.” These rights may give authors the right to write and publish whatever they like, but it also gives readers the right to voice their feelings toward the book, whether they are negative or
Cited: Blume, Judy. "Judy 's Bio." Judy Blume on the Web. Web. 05 Feb. 2010. . Boyer, Paul S "Censorship in America: Threats to Freedom of Free Expression in History." American Affairs. Web. 05 Mar. 2010. . "The Censorship Pages -- Information on Censorship of the Written Word." Books AtoZ | Home Page "A Concise History of Censorship: Books of Fire -." Associated Content - Associatedcontent.com. Web. 22 Feb. 2010. . Cromwell, Sharon "Culture Shock: Who Decides? How and Why?: Definitions of Censorship." PBS. Web. 05 Feb. 2010. . "The History of Book Publishing - Censorship to Consolidation." CyberCollege Index Page for Free TV Production and Mass Media Course Pitner, Suzanne. "Why Books Are Banned: Common Reasons for Censorship and Challenges of Reading Materials." Book Censorship. Web. 23 Feb. 2010. . Stephy, M "What Is Censorship? |." American Civil Liberties Union. Web. 17 Feb. 2010. . "What Is Censorship?" Global Internet Liberty Campaign Home Page Blume, Judy. Forever. New York: Simon Pulse, 2007. Print.