One word comes to mind when the U.S. is mentioned: Freedom. Many bumper stickers and posters hail the phrase, “Freedom isn’t Free.” Although this is an obvious mention to the countless amount of lives lost fighting to keep our land free, many people have a more bitter definition of it.
Countless restrictions on media, radio, marketing, produce and meat sales, music, T.V. and almost every other aspect of the American life has many people questioning our true freedom. Some bans are necessary. The FDA prohibits certain materials or substances from being used in the food we eat every day. The TSA will not allow liquids or metal objects to be taken on to flights. The majority of Americans will agree that these restrictions protect the common welfare and interest of the civilians. However, a recent restriction placed on books in Chicago Public Schools has students and parents up in arms.
The novel “Persepolis” was banned from 7th grade classrooms at Lane Tech and is under assessment if it should even be allowed for upperclassmen. “English teachers weren’t asked their professional opinion. Nobody was included. That is not how democracy works,” stated Steve Parsons, Lane Tech teacher, in a public press conference.
The book contained material that was considered “too graphic” for 12 and 13 year olds. But in a strange turn of irony, Lane Tech Colle Prep has sponsored a banned book club, 451: Degrees, where students read banned books, prior to this controvery.
This form of restriction is ridiculous. Sheltering the minds of younger students in school prohibits full development and understanding of how the world actually is. If schools were to rid their libraries of every single book that contained vulgarity, some of the greatest novels would be removed from the curriculum; “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer”, “To Kill a Mockingbird”, and “Catcher in the Rye.” These are just a few that would no longer be able for students to read.
Restrictions can be very counter productive. The principal of Lane Tech clearly had good intentions when deciding on banning the novel, but is this really what is “good” for students? Shouldn’t students be able to read these materials in order to grasp better understanding? By overprotecting people are we limiting their rights as Americans? Censorship laws are full of loopholes and gray areas. There should never be any mistake, however, where one person dictates what is and is not acceptable in a school. No meeting was brought about regarding the content of the novel, no teachers were advised of the ban, and everything happened behind closed doors until the decision was announced. This is a violation of both freedom of press and freedom of speech. The decision on if the material is too vulgar should be placed in the hands of the parents. Never should an outside authority deem what is “safe” and “unsafe” for children.