I'm With the Banned
It is Banned Books Week in the United States, a celebration of books that have been suppressed and a flag raised to rally support for books that are challenged as "unfit for public consumption." I stand firmly in opposition to the idea that it should ever be allowed in a free society for the government to think on behalf of the governed. For one to impose their viewpoint on the unwilling many or hide the viewpoint of another is nothing less than tyranny.
It is Banned Books Week in the United States, a celebration of books that have been suppressed and a flag raised to rally support for books that are challenged as "unfit for public consumption." I stand firmly in opposition to the idea that it should ever be allowed in a free society for the government to think on behalf of the governed. For one to impose their viewpoint on the unwilling many or hide the viewpoint of another is nothing less than tyranny.
The strength of your opinion will not be proven by your efforts to suppress the contrary opinions. Quite the opposite, in fact.
It is in each of us to decide for ourselves and for our families what is or is not acceptable, to guide our own behavior, and our own consumption of art, literature, and music (or anything else for that matter). It is for the betterment of the whole that we strive.
I only regret that I have but one mind to give to my country.
"Official" Banned Books Week Links
Banned Books Week -- Official Site
The newly-launched official website of the OIF and Banned Books Week. Home of the BBW Read-Out and resources for anyone looking for more information on the events around the country tied to this week.
American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom
The founding organization for Banned Books Week, the ALA acts as clearing house for information and support of citizens, their libraries, and their librarians fighting the good fight for intellectual freedoms in their communities. It's about the right to decide for our selves.
"Happy Banned Books Week" from "Jacket Copy" the official books blog at the LA Times. The LA Times kicked off Banned Books Week by challenging all of us to think beyond the usual suspects of Song of Solomon and Huck Finn with the provacative question: "Are there books that should be banned? What about Mein Kampf?"
Playing with the banned: My own thoughts on book banning.
An Odious Little Book
The LA Times points out that we spend all of our time talking about beloved classics during Banned Books Week. Well, not here. Let us test our intellectual mettle and talk about one of the most evil books in history: Mein Kampf.
I'm with the Banned
Childhood is just one banned thing after another. With all the imaginary dangers of the media I consumed growing up, it's a wonder we survived at all.
Hucked :: The Trouble with Twain
The thorny issue of Twain's language and how we handle it in this (allegedly) post-racial world.
On Censorship
Is banning a book really even possible in a world with an internet? Or are we making tempests in teapots? (Spoiler: The answer to the first question is "yes", the answer to the second one is "no.")
Banned Books Week -- Official Site
The newly-launched official website of the OIF and Banned Books Week. Home of the BBW Read-Out and resources for anyone looking for more information on the events around the country tied to this week.
American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom
The founding organization for Banned Books Week, the ALA acts as clearing house for information and support of citizens, their libraries, and their librarians fighting the good fight for intellectual freedoms in their communities. It's about the right to decide for our selves.
"Happy Banned Books Week" from "Jacket Copy" the official books blog at the LA Times. The LA Times kicked off Banned Books Week by challenging all of us to think beyond the usual suspects of Song of Solomon and Huck Finn with the provacative question: "Are there books that should be banned? What about Mein Kampf?"
Playing with the banned: My own thoughts on book banning.
An Odious Little Book
The LA Times points out that we spend all of our time talking about beloved classics during Banned Books Week. Well, not here. Let us test our intellectual mettle and talk about one of the most evil books in history: Mein Kampf.
I'm with the Banned
Childhood is just one banned thing after another. With all the imaginary dangers of the media I consumed growing up, it's a wonder we survived at all.
Hucked :: The Trouble with Twain
The thorny issue of Twain's language and how we handle it in this (allegedly) post-racial world.
On Censorship
Is banning a book really even possible in a world with an internet? Or are we making tempests in teapots? (Spoiler: The answer to the first question is "yes", the answer to the second one is "no.")
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Pages to Type is a blog about books, writing and literary culture (with the occasional digression into coffee and the care and feeding of giant robots).