“If they can tell you what to read, they can tell you what to think.”
True words said by the Freedom to Read Foundation, a foundation that advocates the freedom to read for every individual. After all, whatever we read has a deep influence on how we think. So whoever controls what we read, in a way, controls how we think.
A lot is said about the freedom of speech and the freedom of expression. But the crooning of freedom to read has not been able to draw as much attention. It's been there since years though, for instance, the banned books week in the U.S, an annual campaign that draws attention to censorship by mounting displays of challenged books, was launched way back in 1982! This year, the week's going to be held from September 25 through October 2.
Thousands of books have been challenged over the years for explicit sexual content, offensive language, violence, religious viewpoints and other such reasons. Some very critically acclaimed (Catcher in the Rye, To Kill a Mocking Bird, The Color Purple, My sister's Keeper) and popular (Twilight series) books of the 20th century have made it to the 10 most challenged titles so far.
Had it not been for the advocacy of the freedom to read, we would have probably been deprived of such literary masterpieces.
How much is too much? A question that hovers on the mind of every censorship board - be it movies, books, television or any other medium of communication. For children, censorship of reading is essential but adults should have the liberty to decide for themselves what is appropriate and what is not. The government should not assume the role of a nanny towards its citizens.
