“About Banned Books” By: Owen Rodriguez, Chris Puente's & Ray Morales

The First Amendment?” To promote and protect freedom of speech and freedom of press as such freedoms are guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the United States and such freedoms necessarily involve the public fight to hear what is spoken and to read what is written.”

“Why are books challenged?” Books are usually challenged to protect others, mainly children,from difficult ideas and information. “If all man kind minus one, were of one opinion, and only one person were of the contrary opinion, mankind would be no more justifies in silencing that one person mankind.” - On Liberty, John Stuart Mill

“What’s the difference between a challenge and a banning ?” When a book is challenged is a attempt to remove or restrict materials, based upon the objections of a person or group. A banned book can also be the removal of those materials. When a book is challenged is does not only simply involve a persons expressing point of view; rather, they are an attempt to remove material from the curriculum or library, thereby restricting the access of others.

“ Who challenges books?” Books are challenged by the Initiator, Institution, type, and Year, but mostly parents challenge materials more often than any other group. Parents are more motivated by a desire to protect their children from “inappropriate” sexual content or “ offensive” language. The three main reasons why books get challenged are: 1. the material was considered to be “sexually explicit” 2. the material contained “offensive language” 3. the materials was “ unsuited to any age group”

“ Who Should decide what others can or cannot read”? I think parents should decide whether they want their child to be reading the types of books that are given to read as a class in school if they feel like the books they're reading are impropriate. “Librarians and governing bodies should maintain that parents- and only parents- have the right and responsibility to restrict the access of their children- and only their children-to library resources.” -Ala’s basic policy

“ What are some reasons a book can become banned or challenged”? Some books are usually challenged or banned to protect children from reading difficult ides and information. Books become banned or challenged because parents feel that their child or children should not be able to read some of the books that are in the library because of the “inappropriate” sexual content or “offensive” language.

“Interview/Opinion ” Do you think books should be banned or challenged? It depends on the book that is being challenged or banned. Do you feel the parents have the right to banned a book or challenge the book? I think the parents have the right to challenge the book but not banned the book.

Would you feel comfortable for your child to read a book that is “racism ” or “inappropriate” and is being read as a class? Yes I would feel comfortable for my child to read these types of books depending on how the book is being taught and I feel that they should be educated on what was taking place back then.

Do you feel that freedom of speech can be used in a book? Yes because you should be able to say whatever you want to say and express your feelings in a book. If you think the book is a threat than you should read it.

“Bibliography/Works Cited” Ms. White, personal interview. April 14, William O, Douglas (“ About banned & challenged books”), vol. 7, no. 1, Jan. 1953, p. 20): d/aboutbannedbooks/index.cfm William O, Douglas (“ About banned & challenged books”), vol. 7, no. 1, Jan. 1953, p. 20): d/aboutbannedbooks/index.cfm