Combating Banned Books and Censorship in the English Classroom

Abstract

Censorship is a societal struggle that treads into all aspects of life and the classroom is no exception. Real-world, lesson teaching novels of all genres and types are being banned and challenged across the country, simply for containing (what is deemed to be) “inappropriate topics”—including sexuality, gender, violence, mental health, religion, and racism. Even if novels have been shown to be educational on the topics, they are still removed from the hands of youth in order to shield and protect them from the subject. “Banned Books” have a wide array of effects on students in the classroom. Student learning is being stunted as conversation topics are being prohibited. Information is being restricted, causing an influx of stress on both student and teacher as they tread the line of what is “acceptable” to learn about. All in all, this causes students to have a skewed perception of the world at large, with gaps in their learning. There are still steps that can be taken, however. Educators can approach the issue of censorship in the classroom in many ways. They must work to educate themselves and their peers in order to tackle this subject. Through diversification of the classroom and a changed perception on student capabilities, changes can be made.