You don’t have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them. – Ray Bradbury

This year I made a commitment to read ten banned/challenged books. Until now, I have not given this subject much thought other than it involves censorship, which goes against everything I believe in as a human. Note I do not say American, Canadian, or other nationality, as the freedom to read, write, or express oneself through any medium is a basic human right. Period.

Yes, there are things I find so offensive my stomach turns just thinking about them. But if I deny that person or group their freedom to express their ideas, I must then also consider that any actions I take, words I say, or art I produce, to be subject to the same. I do not go through life thinking myself better, or worse, than any other person. I am simply different, and as such, I feel I have the right to be unique. I also feel I have the right to be shown respect for my beliefs even if they are not ones with which others agree.

In order to obtain and maintain said respect, I must demonstrate that I am willing to give that which I expect to receive. Now in a perfect world, this scenario would never be an issue. But we do not live in such a place. That is why there are blogs like Fahrenheit 451 and organizations such as the ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom and NEA’s The Big Read.

There will always be those who feel adamantly opposed to works which promote any idea contrary to their own belief system. I do not, and will not, deny them the right to feel this way. What I do oppose is their attempt to deny me my right to read or express my own.

So that being said, I will think what I think, write what I write, and read what I read; which includes great works such as To Kill A Mockingbird and The Grapes of Wrath.

I highly recommend looking through 100 Banned Books: Censorship Histories of World Literature by Nicholas J. Karolides, Margaret Bald, and Dawn B. Sova. I have not read this book in its entirety, but it was a great resource when I conducted some personal research on censorship of literature.

Ok, so much for my time on the soap box.

Next…….