Jessica CrockettCynthia Rush Missy SharpSara Ahlers

What is CENSORSHIP? “The removal, suppression, or restricted circulation of literary, artistic or educational materials on the grounds that these are morally or otherwise objectionable in the light of standards applied by the censor” (Reichman).“The removal, suppression, or restricted circulation of literary, artistic or educational materials on the grounds that these are morally or otherwise objectionable in the light of standards applied by the censor” (Reichman).

History of Censorship 213 BC: Confucius’ books are burned except one copy of each, which was kept in the Chinese State Library.213 BC: Confucius’ books are burned except one copy of each, which was kept in the Chinese State Library. In 1821, Heinrich Heine stated, “Where they have burned books, they will end in burning human beings.”In 1821, Heinrich Heine stated, “Where they have burned books, they will end in burning human beings.”

In the Schools Censorship in schools has been increasing since the 1980’s.Censorship in schools has been increasing since the 1980’s. The ALA Office for intellectual freedom received a total of 515 reports of challenges in 2002, a 15% increase since the previous year.The ALA Office for intellectual freedom received a total of 515 reports of challenges in 2002, a 15% increase since the previous year.

For/against censorship in the schools ForFor –The children will be harmed if they are not protected from inappropriate materials. AgainstAgainst –Censorship of books violates academic freedom and diversity of thought. “ When a controversial book is taken off the shelves, the empty space is not filled with another. Instead, ignorance takes its place. ” -Tara Watson

Censorship in a democracy In a democracy, the majority rules but what about the rights of the minority?In a democracy, the majority rules but what about the rights of the minority? In Watch Dogs or Mad Dogs? Jim Trelease says, “They have a right to protest and a right to be heard. What they don’t have is the right to impose their will upon others. ”In Watch Dogs or Mad Dogs? Jim Trelease says, “They have a right to protest and a right to be heard. What they don’t have is the right to impose their will upon others. ”

Topics censored ReligionReligion PoliticsPolitics SexSex Challenging AuthorityChallenging Authority Drugs/Alcohol useDrugs/Alcohol use Race/ethnicityRace/ethnicity LanguageLanguage Sexual OrientationSexual Orientation Bodily functionsBodily functions DeathDeath

“ The official restriction of any expression believed to threaten the political, social, or moral order. ” -Judy Blume

LANGUAGE USAGE The Chocolate War, by Robert CormierThe Chocolate War, by Robert Cormier The Catcher in the Rye, J.D. SalingerThe Catcher in the Rye, J.D. Salinger Forever, by Judy BlumeForever, by Judy Blume To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper LeeTo Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck.Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck.

RELIGION The Harry Potter Series, by J. K. RowlingThe Harry Potter Series, by J. K. Rowling Bridge to Terabithia, by Katherine PattersonBridge to Terabithia, by Katherine Patterson

The Color Purple, by Alice WalkerThe Color Purple, by Alice Walker Alice Series, by Phyllis Reynolds NaylorAlice Series, by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor Sex

Race & Ethnicity The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark TwainThe Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, by Mildred Dean TaylorRoll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, by Mildred Dean Taylor The Watsons Go To Birmingham, by Paul Christopher CurtisThe Watsons Go To Birmingham, by Paul Christopher Curtis

SEXUAL ORIENTATION Daddy’s Roommate, by Michael WillhoiteDaddy’s Roommate, by Michael Willhoite Heather Has Two Mommies, by Leslea NewmanHeather Has Two Mommies, by Leslea Newman

CHILDREN challenging authority Captain Underpants, by Dav PilkeyCaptain Underpants, by Dav Pilkey Lord of the Flies, by William GoldingLord of the Flies, by William Golding

DRUg/alcohol use Go Ask Alice, by AnonymousGo Ask Alice, by Anonymous When I Was Puerto Rican, by Esmeralda SantiagoWhen I Was Puerto Rican, by Esmeralda Santiago Fallen Angels, by Walter Dean MyersFallen Angels, by Walter Dean Myers Where the Heart Is, by Billie LettsWhere the Heart Is, by Billie Letts

Court Decisions Evans v. Shelma Union High School District of Fresno County (1924)Evans v. Shelma Union High School District of Fresno County (1924) Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier (1988)Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier (1988) Virgil v. School Board of Columbia County (1989)Virgil v. School Board of Columbia County (1989)

AVOIDING CONTROVERSY Clearly stated policiesClearly stated policies Weighing the viewpoints of various groups in the communityWeighing the viewpoints of various groups in the community Considering community and parental concernsConsidering community and parental concerns Acceptance of our national diversityAcceptance of our national diversity Minority rightsMinority rights Non-politicalNon-political

avoiding controversy Ask parents to contribute to developing school reading programs.Ask parents to contribute to developing school reading programs. Give recommended, rather than required reading lists.Give recommended, rather than required reading lists. Have files of professional reviewsHave files of professional reviews Be familiar with laws that protect academic freedom.Be familiar with laws that protect academic freedom. Discourage the concept that only one text can be used to teach a specific theme.Discourage the concept that only one text can be used to teach a specific theme.

HanDling Controversy Meet with the complainant and attempt to resolve the issue.Meet with the complainant and attempt to resolve the issue. Ask for a written complaintAsk for a written complaint Give the complainant a copy of district policies for controversial materials.Give the complainant a copy of district policies for controversial materials.

Handling controversy Provide the school board with a final report.Provide the school board with a final report. Inform the complainant of the review process and meeting time.Inform the complainant of the review process and meeting time. Provide an appeals process.Provide an appeals process. While the complaint is being explored, you can still keep the controversial material available.While the complaint is being explored, you can still keep the controversial material available. Resources: NCTE anti-censorship center

Who does Censorship hurt? Censorship leaves students with an inadequate and distorted picture of the ideals, values, and problems in our culture.Censorship leaves students with an inadequate and distorted picture of the ideals, values, and problems in our culture. Rory Edwards, age 12, as quoted in The Washington Post, “I don’t want to be shut out from the truth. If they ban books they might as well lock us away from the world.”Rory Edwards, age 12, as quoted in The Washington Post, “I don’t want to be shut out from the truth. If they ban books they might as well lock us away from the world.”

References hip.asphttp:// hip.asp world.com/a_curr/curr031.shtmlhttp:// world.com/a_curr/curr031.shtml Goldberg, Beverly. “Censorship Watch.” American Libraries 35.4 (2004): 15.Goldberg, Beverly. “Censorship Watch.” American Libraries 35.4 (2004): 15. Reichman, Henry. Censorship and Selection, Issues and Answers for Schools. Chicago: American Library Association, 2001.Reichman, Henry. Censorship and Selection, Issues and Answers for Schools. Chicago: American Library Association, nedbks/censorbackground.htmlhttp:// nedbks/censorbackground.html