Dear Ms. Berner,
Teenage,
or young adult books containing mature content should not be banned from
William Alexander Middle School 51’s sixth grade libraries. Banning these
graphic books from sixth graders would prevent them from learning about the
issues that they may soon face when they become young adolescents.
By
banning these books, sixth graders are being hindered from learning about
issues that they may confront and have to deal with when they become teens.
Take what Adams, from Metropolitian State College of Denver, says: “I think
that sometimes adults shortage teens and their ability to grasp complex
material and make deeper connections.” Adults are preventing their teens from
grasping knowledge about what many young people are facing today. In addition,
as an author of some of these teen fiction books, Sherman Alexie states, “they [the
adults] are simply trying to protect their privileged children.” These parents who
are attempting to ‘protect’ their kids by banning books are essentially just
hindering their kids from learning about what might come their way in a few
years. (Such as difficult situations, such as drugs, depression, underage
drinking, etc.) Not that these things will necessarily happen to them in their
adolescent years, however they should be aware of what these issues are and how
to deal with them. Reading teen fiction books is one of the best ways for the
sixth graders to learn about what other teens are facing.
Also,
many of these books have content that numerous young adults can relate to.
These books that adults are trying to ban from their children essentially show
their teens how to cope with their predicaments. Some sixth graders might also
be going through the same exact problem as the protagonist in their too
‘vulgar’ book and can relate to, or connect with the character. For example,
“They [teenagers] read because they believe, despite the callow protestations
of certain adults, that books—especially the dark and dangerous ones—will save
them,” says Alexie. Also Dr. Shira Gabriel says, “books provide the opportunity
for social connection.” What both Alexie and Gabriel are stating is that these “suggestive”
books that are being banned are the books that many teenagers can connect with and
the solutions in these books give them hope for the future.
Some
people may think that teen fiction books that contain suggestive content should
be banned. For example, Meghan Cox Gurdon says, “if books show us the world,
teen fiction can be like a hall of fun house mirrors, constantly reflecting
back hideously distorted betrayals of what life is.” However, these books do
not over exaggerate what life is like for many teenagers today. Topics that
many adults try to avoid talking about with their teens are things that many
teenagers go through, and topics that are in these books. For instance,
subjects like rape, drugs, drinking, etc., are subjects that most parents do
not want to talk about with their child. However, many teenagers (maybe even some
sixth graders that go to this school) may the same problems. Most of these
books that are being banned are based off of what these authors experienced
when they were teens, or are made to help teenagers get through difficult
situations. Like authors such as Sherman Alexie, Judy Blume, Ellen Hopkins, etc. For example, Ellen Hopkins says, “some call
my books edgy; others say they’re dark…but they bring young adult readers a
middle-aged author’s broader perspective. They show outcomes to choices, offer
understanding, and each is infused with hope.” These young adult books help
teens learn about experiences that people that were once teens once experienced
and how to cope with them.
In
conclusion, books with graphic content should not be censored from the sixth
graders at Ms51. Some parents think that books should be banned because they
want to protect their children. However, I disagree. Keeping them from reading
these books won’t help them, because there’s a chance that they’re going to
face the same issues that the protagonists in their books are facing. So why
not learn about issues now from the books, instead of waiting until it is too
late? Censoring these books will just affect them negatively when they get
older. Books don’t just show teenagers situations, but they also show them outcomes
to their choices and help us make the right decisions.
Sincerely,
Tadafe Gbaje
“Censorship is the enemy
of the truth”---Bill Moyers
