Backwards Forward
“Until I feared I would lose it, I never loved to read. One does not love breathing.”—Harper Lee, “To Kill a Mockingbird”
~
It is disgusting how the world keeps going backwards with each passing day. More censorship, more intolerance, more hate, more boundaries, more limits, aaaaah!
What does someone like me do? I just want to live life the way I want to live it, without being preached and without preaching anyone. I want my opinions to be tolerated, and I want to hear out other people’s opinions and ideas. I want the freedom to hold or consider a fact, viewpoint, or thought, regardless of anyone else’s view.
Unfortunately, things don’t look promising. Life all over the world is constantly becoming closer to an Orwellian world, with Ministries of Truth popping around all over the place, controlling information, “rectifying” history to make them conform to “utopian dreams”, denouncing then banishing works of literature from library shelves as “objectionable reads” (”1984″ is banned by the way).
Here’s the American Library Association of banned books for 2006:
1. “Harry Potter” (Series) (J.K. Rowling)
2. “To Kill a Mockingbird” (Harper Lee)
3. “The Color Purple” (Alice Walker)
4. “The Outsiders” (S.E. Hinton)
5. “Lord of the Flies” (William Golding)
6. “Of Mice and Men” (John Steinbeck)
7. “Goosebumps” (Series) (R.L. Stine)
8. “How to Eat Fried Worms” (Thomas Rockwell)
9. “The Catcher in the Rye” (J.D. Salinger)
10. “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” (Mark Twain)
11. “The Giver” (Lois Lowry)
12. “Brave New World” (Aldous Huxley)
13. “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” (Mark Twain)
14. “Captain Underpants” (Dav Pilkey)
15. “The Anarchist Cookbook” (William Powell)
16. “Carrie” (Stephen King)
17. “Flowers for Algernon” (Daniel Keyes)
18. “The Dead Zone” (Stephen King)
19. “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” (Maya Angelou)
20. “Go Ask Alice” (anonymous)
21. “American Psycho” (Bret Easton Ellis)
22. “The Chocolate War” (Robert Cormier)
23. “James and the Giant Peach” (Roald Dahl)
24. “The Pigman” (Paul Zindel)
25. “A Wrinkle in Time” (Madeleine L’Engle)
It is indeed laughable, and even more so as I read more than half of these books as required readings for school. I first read Harry Potter, the first banned book on the list, when I was bored one day and decided to borrow my brother’s 6th grade reading material, Harry Potter, as it looked more interesting than TV. I first read the second book on the list, “To Kill a Mockingbird”, in the 7th grade for my literature class. When I was in the 5th grade, I owned most of the “Goosebumps” series (banned on the list as number 7), which I was introduced to by my English teacher.
Other titles in the list account for some of my favorite childhood reads; “A Wrinkle in Time”, “James and the Giant Peach”, and “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer”. I can’t believe that they are deemed of negative influence to children today.
The world seriously needs to wake up, and quickly. Enough with closing our eyes and pretending that if we don’t allow stories to be told, actions that have already happened are erased. Things don’t work that way.
It is unthinkable that we live in this kind of world in the year 2006, and that this is happening in the country that is trying to wage the international war for freedom. Freedom starts at home.
foulla
September 28, 2006 @ 6:15 pm
ya hasratan 3ala ddounya..tom sawyer !? give me a break.
EXzombie
September 28, 2006 @ 8:29 pm
I think the reason behind most of the banned books is that it has a racist reference in it, like huckleberry finn, and Alice walker’s purple, but as for the other books I couldn’t understand why, I read most of them, and I can’t see why they banned them….?!?!
Jenna
September 28, 2006 @ 8:38 pm
Jesus Christ…I’m speechless. Harry Potter, Goosebumps, Tom Sawyer, wtf?? WHY are they banned? I just don’t get it…
And what the hell will they teach in English Lit classes if TKAMB, Of Mice and Men and Lord of the Flies are banned? They are staple books, fact!
I can completely understand (although I don’t agree) why certain people/groups may object to particular literary works, but the bottom line is: If you don’t like it, then don’t read it!
{13}
September 28, 2006 @ 9:53 pm
طيب ماهو تركي الحمد مستشار للملك السعودي الحالي ومع ذلك لم تسقط عنه فتاوي التكفير ورواياته كلها ممنوعه في السعوديه ………………انا لي 8 سنوات ابحث عن رواية وليمة اعشاب البحر ومش لاقيتها ..عندك مصدرك السري للحصول على كتب ممنوعة النشر؟؟؟(انا شريرة ) غالبا نشر وبيع مثل هذه الكتب تكون في الخارج وبالتحديد لندن…بس للاسف ليس لهم مواقع او لا يتم الشراء من خلالها او تمنع الكتب من الدخول للبلد ..قريت للحمد رواية العدامة بس
Troy Z
September 28, 2006 @ 10:16 pm
Yes, I concur: wtf? What is the perceived need to do so in the USA or, more to the point, anywhere? I admit it does sting more when it does occur in the United States. It’s a genuine embarassment when it does happen in some jurisdictions.
I was fortunate enough to be able to attend the “Forbidden Fruit: Readings from Banned works of Literature” presented by PEN USA ( http://penusa.org/ ) back in June 2006. I recommend attending if one ever get the opportunity and werewithal.
Press release info here: http://penusa.org/go/news/comments/752/
“PEN USA presented Forbidden Fruit: Readings from Banned Works of Literature on Sunday, June 4, 2006 at the Skirball Cultural Center.
The brunch and reading was hosted by Larry Gelbart and featured readings by: Teri Garr from Shel Silverstein’s A Light in the Attic; Tony Shalhoub from Luis Rodruiguez’s Always Running; Brooke Adams from Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird ; Dana Delany from Madeline L’Engel’s A Wrinkle in Time; Danny Huston from Kurt Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse-Five; Eva-Marie Saint from Toni Morrison’s Beloved; and Gore Vidal from Walt Whitman’s Leaves of Grass.”
Luis J. Rodriguez was in attendance, whose books on gang life experience has repeatedly proved an inspiration to gangsters getting to quit the gangster lifestyle. Those same books have been banned on occasion due to instances of violence in the narrative, the exact same presentation of the words that have proven to prompt certain individuals to renounce violent ways. I don’t care if anybody wants to call it irony, I just need it to stop.
You can’t predict the source and direction of inspiration toward bettering oneself, so it is imperative not to withhold such potential.
Qwaider قويدر
September 28, 2006 @ 10:45 pm
Oh my god! I read most of these growing up and with the exception of “Anarchist cookbook” I don’t see anything wrong with these !! I didn’t see anything wrong with Tom Sawyer when I was 10 or 12 years old (can’t really remember)
Let me tell you something, I was more shocked from 1001 nights than any one of these. And quite frankly, reading the bible for a 10 year old is some scary business
Trust me, the Pendulum will swing the other-way, I don’t think we’re heading more towards an Orwellian world more of Orwellian corporate world with government actually on people’s side :)
Ziad D.
September 28, 2006 @ 11:05 pm
Fact: What I heard/read at least about the banning of Harry Potter was that it is was anti-God or anti-Christian because of it’s reference to magic. I guess it stepped on the toes of a lot of conservative Christians that felt that they didn’t want to expose their kids to this. Considering how over popular the franchise has gotten in the past few years or so could be the reason they felt threatened (again I am stating this from an objective point of view and not subjective as I enjoy reading the series, keeping in mind that it is purely a work of fiction, and doesn’t make me into a heathen for having read and enjoyed it)
Opinion: It is heartbreaking to see how people’s ideologies are conflicting with each other these days, the best part however is that more and more people are empowered to access books that are banned inspite of the banners’ best efforts or intentions. I believe the age communication that we are experiencing will make it near impossible for any group’s particular beliefs to overrun the world. If you ask me Roba, I say, with all due respect of course: so what if some over zealous group of literrary body decides to ban these books, anyone willing to get them, can and will get a hold of them. :)
Also another thing, I think the world goes into a cyclical trend of conservatism every few decades or so. I think this will will pick up more steam as tensions between east and west (idealogically speaking of course) pick up.
ziad d
September 28, 2006 @ 11:10 pm
Roba,
Sorry, I forgot to thank you for posting that list. You have encouraged me to pick these books up from Borders/Barnes and Nobel book store. See? You have inspired someone to read something that was banned with your post! :) Regards.
Moey
September 29, 2006 @ 12:57 am
same here roba, i grew up with goosssssssssseBUMBES LOL (local english)
Nas
September 29, 2006 @ 2:33 am
to kill a mockingbird is my favorite novel and quite possibly movie as well. you can’t beat atticus.
one year they had bradbury’s fahrenheit 451 on that list. anyone see the irony in banning a book about book banning/burning?
none
September 29, 2006 @ 5:56 am
The libraries have to cover their ass because of all the “special interest” groups out there; the books are freely available in the U.S. (I’ve read most of them). And some are required reading in school… ironic.
kinzi
September 29, 2006 @ 10:35 am
I read most of these as well, some as required reading in school.
Roba, this is so wierd. While in the US this summer, small-town US even, there was a whole library SECTION devoted to Harry Potter.
The Young Adult section about made me throw up - books encouraging teenage sex, GBLT sex. Hopelessnes,depression, suicide were all themes that had no happy ending or helpful conslusion. That, IMO, that whole section should be banned.
Books that have been ‘discarded/banned/ from public libraries that I have purchased were like Tom Sawyer, ‘intolerently’ discussed themes about Native Americans, African Amercian, gender roles and Christianity. This summer I tried to get ahold of 3 Christian books that are all bestsellers, and they weren’t to be found not only in the district, but the whole state. I should have looked to see if they had an Islamic books and themes.
Ziad, I would be very surprised if the Christian Right is responsible for HP banning. They are working on things like getting “Heather has Two Mommy’s” off the children’s library list. From what I knew , the ALA was about as anti-Christian as you could get, and the two groups were far from being in one another’s pockets. BTW, I know many Evangelical Christian families who enjoyed HP (my son is reading them now). As a Christian who used to practice witchcraft, there is nothing in HP remotely resembling the reality of it, except for Divination class - Astrology is closer.
Without spending an hour on that website, I’m suspicious.
Qwaidar, I’m sure most Muslims don’t let their kids have full access to Hadith without spiritual guidence. We do the same, get them familiar with Genesis and the New Testament before moving into the tougher stuff. Remember too, that American schools don’t let kids do reports that mention the bible anymore. Do they put such restrictions on the Koran as well? Just wondering.
Ziad D.
September 29, 2006 @ 11:11 am
Kinzi (Roba with your okay of course:)
Sorry Kinzi, didn’t mean to stereotype. I should have been more careful with my choice of words. Still, I know the current Catholic church’s stand on the matter, earlier under the former Pope John Paul HP was less fround upon, under the current Pope it seems that HP is anti-God. Still that is beside the point (which I have a tendency to veer from a lot :P) I don’t know how politically/religiously influenced the ALA is and who excatly is pulling the strings, but I feel overall that they have become (in my eyes at least) like toothless old lions, all roar and no bite. Anything and everything is available to anyone these days, the more a group makes a fuss about a book the more likely that it will fuel the public’s curiosity to read it. Maybe they are doing a disservice to themselves by their banning of certain titles…
I hope I didn’t offend anyone :P which is the last thing I have in mind…
Qwaider قويدر
September 29, 2006 @ 11:57 am
Actually Kinzi, the Quran and Hadith has such high quality language and respect to all sort of people in a very polite way to the point that any person who can read (regardless of age) can read them with no issues at all.
I’m not saying this to insinuate in anyway that there is anything wrong with the Holy Bible, but reading the same stories in both Quran and Bible I find it really hard to explain some of them to a say 8 year old.
Again, please don’t take this in any negative way since it’s really not my intention
kinzi
September 29, 2006 @ 12:56 pm
Qwaidar, I’m not taking it negatively :). Does an 8 year old understand the classical Arabic or verses they may not hear every day?
I meant the more ‘adult themed’ portions of the Koran and Bible. What stories do you have trouble with?
Qwaider قويدر
September 29, 2006 @ 1:56 pm
Explaining the classical Arabic is different than feeling shy to even talk about the events. Starting with Genesis and going all the way to revelations, and everything in between..
As a simple example the story of Joseph. Read the two if you have some time and you will see what I am talking about
Again with all due respect and honor going to the Holy Bible.
kinzi
September 30, 2006 @ 12:20 pm
Ziad, no problem! HP is only anti-God in that He is never mentioned, there is so much blatently anti-God stuff out there for the Catholic church to work on! I’m not Catholic, and tend to veer myself :) And right you are, this group seems to have backfired in what it hoped to accomplish.
Qwaidar, I see what you mean now. I’ll have to review the story of Joseph from the standpoint of the Quran. It is one of my favorites, great themes of God’s ability to redeem for good what was intended for evil.
Thanks for the honor and respect! Back at ya!
Tee
September 30, 2006 @ 2:47 pm
Just to clarify a point– that these books were “challenged”(and most likely not all of them at the same time in the same place) in different communities, schools, etc. throughout the U.S.A. I am a 44 year old American woman and have never lived anywhere in this country where any of these books were unavailable to me, and many are required reading in schools and favorite books of myself and people I know. These books were NOT banned by the U.S. governement. I get this feeling of smugness from those in other contries you love reading this sort of thing and delight in pointing out just how bckward we Americans are, when this sort of thing happens in smaller pockets in this enormous country. It is not a nationwide thing at all.This sort of thing, in fact, happens all over the world, not just here.
Troy Z
October 3, 2006 @ 5:06 am
Tee, you are absolutely correct. This is why I made a point of declaring “some jurisdictions.” I just do not wish for any precedent of acceptability of the practice to be set, first and foremost here within the United States. I actually do love the hyperdrive of the American Psyche to embrace new things and alternate ideas, which is how we get space shuttles, Mars rovers, and the admirable ability to be mindbendingly stable when we have every stripe of political and religious inclination within the population, and the rights to explore them.
Damn Right it’s worse in other countries, but I do not wish to make comparisons based upon defaulted expectations.
نور
April 2, 2007 @ 6:09 pm
بليز انا بدي رابط للفيلم of mice and men
انا بدي انزله ضروري كتير بليز اللي عندو رابط للتنزيل انا بكون كتير ممنونته
بدي الفيلم اللي انتج سنة1992
للأسف ولا كلمه...
October 24, 2007 @ 3:56 pm
Englishللأسف ما ادبرشي بالـ
الا هالكلمه =)
ممكن تساعدوني اتعلم