WritersWriters are negatively impacted by censorship because it restricts what they can write about. If a topic is too controversial and is bound to be challenged or banned, the author may not write his or her book. This in turn prevents them from doing what they love to do, which is write. Censorship can prevent a writers views or thoughts from being shared with a particular audience. |
ReadersReaders are affected by censorship because it doesn't give them the opportunity to view what someone else has written or published. If a reader wants to read more about a particular topic such as homosexuality or abortion, they can have a hard time finding those pieces of literature if the topics are heavily censored. A child cannot learn if a particular books aren't available in a library or school. Censorship prevents readers from seeing a writers point of view on something, and this can be shielding them from something worth value.
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EducatorsTeachers and educators are almost caught in the middle when it comes to censorship. Many times school districts tell the teachers what they have to teach their kids and what books are approved in the classroom. Many books that have been challenged or banned are great novels that can teach us a lot, but teachers aren't allowed to have the books in the classroom (Huckleberry Finn, Anne Frank and The Color Purple just to name a few).
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LibrariansLibrarians have to be subjective when allowing certain books into their libraries. They cannot let their personal feelings about a book come into play when deciding what goes on the shelves. They want to ensure they have a decent variety of books on a variety of subjects but can't have too many books that come off as inappropriate. It is appropriate for parents to guide their children’s reading, television viewing, and exposure to media as they see fit. The public library can assist in this process by providing reader’s advisory services, book lists, and other related services in a positive, pro-active manner. What they library should not do is act in the place of the parents.
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PublishersPublishers have to be objective when deciding what they are going to publish for a writer. They have to read the book and decide if it will offend a majority of the public or not, and if it does what type of backlash it will receive. Publishers know best what will be challenged and what won't since they are aware of what books are currently out there. They have to decide if the controversy is worth the risk.
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What Motivates us to Ban, Challenge and Censor?
When people challenge books it is generally out of a concern that the contents of the book will be harmful to the reader. According to the ALA, there are four motivating factors: family values, religion, political views and minority rights (KidSPEAK). When it comes to children's books family values are the number one reason why a book is challenged or banned. If the book has strong, violent or sexual language some people think that it will be harmful to children and seek to have it removed from library and school shelves. Several organizations have sprung up in response to concerns about censorship of children's books. When the Harry Potter books came under attack, a number of organizations joined together to establish Muggles for Harry Potter, which is now known as kidSPEAK and focuses on being a voice for kids in fighting censorship in general (KidSPEAK).
The effect that banning and challenging books has on our society is that it really prevents us as readers from expanding our knowledge about a particular subject, or just being able to get lost in a good book. With children it can hinder their ability to think imaginatively and can hinder creativity.
The effect that banning and challenging books has on our society is that it really prevents us as readers from expanding our knowledge about a particular subject, or just being able to get lost in a good book. With children it can hinder their ability to think imaginatively and can hinder creativity.