Growing up, cowardice and hypocrisy were scorned; now, they seem to be the norm.
Power of Words and Ideas
Two quotes come to mind on this topic.
- Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never harm me.
- The pen is mightier than the sword.
Both are true and false in the same way. Over the past many years, we weaponized words to ‘prevent harm.’ The idea of modifying language to build more space and compassion for others was admirable. Weaponizing language to pass moral judgement of others wasn’t.
We are living in a time when words increasingly serve as precursors to violence. Leaders and institutions deride or suppress ideas they dislike rather than engaging them. Instead of looking for solutions, they reach for lies and scapegoats, using deepfakes and memes. Government officials promise to hunt down and destroy their enemies (of thought).
Neither extreme is good or healthy. Both extremes reek of cowardice.
Afraid of Ideas
When I attended high school, we studied George Orwell’s novel 1984, Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World, and William Golding’s Lord of the Flies. Studying these books together allowed us to delve into different communities and the corruption often perpetrated when corruption takes hold.
To this day, I still remember these books as some of the best I’ve ever read and their instruction as one of the high points of my K-12 education.
All of them have difficult themes and subject matter. Spoiler. Life is full of difficult times and people. All these books have been challenged or banned locally.
We struggle to take meaningful action to prevent school shootings, yet Nineteen Minutes has been banned repeatedly—a novel that confronts the issue directly.
When did cowardice seep into our national psyche so deeply?
Book Bans and Censorship
Banned Books Week
Banned Books Week, launched in 1982, in response to the surge in challenges to books in libraries, bookstores, and schools. “The most common justifications for censorship provided by complainants were false claims of illegal obscenity for minors; inclusion of LGBTQIA+ characters or themes; and covering topics of race, racism, equity, and social justice.”
This year, it’s scheduled for October 5-11
Banned vs. Challenged
Banned is when access to a book is prohibited or restricted, often in schools and libraries.
Challenged is when a formal attempt is made to ban, restrict, or remove a book from a school or public library.
Surprising Objections
- The Lorax – for its criticism of the logging industry, capitalism, and consumerism
- Charlotte’s Web – for talking animals and the theme of life and death
- The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – for violence and challenging authority
- Harry Potter – from a belief it glorified witchcraft and the occult
- The Hate U Give – for vulgarity and promoting a social agenda
- Water for Elephants – for sexual content, violence, and implied animal cruelty
- To Kill a Mockingbird– for racial slurs, (false accusation of) rape, themes of racism and violence
Not all books are appropriate for all ages. In a world of superhero movies, rap songs, Tik Tok videos, video games, and school shooter drills, are our children really to sensitive to be exposed to these things? If so, what happens when they become adults?
Fighting Censorship
One of the greatest and rarest of liberties we enjoy as Americans is the right to free speech. That right is in jeopardy. Deceit and despots live in the darkness of ignorance.
I challenge you to be brave. Open your mind to new ideas. Read a provocative book which expands your worldview.
I’m reading The Hate U Give. Which book will you choose to read?