Harry Potter Should Be Banned From School Libraries
Intro
If you feel that the notion of witchcraft is nonsense, you may want to think twice. According to Alex Mar, who identifies as a witch, as many as 1 million other Americans identify as witches, and the numbers are growing. I am here to discuss my point of view as to why Harry Potter should be banned from school libraries. Harry Potter is a series of fantasy novels written by author J. K. Rowling, in which the main is an orphaned teen wizard who lives with an abusive family.
Claim
The Harry Potter series presents dangerous ideas that can be detrimental to young readers, and should be removed from school libraries.
Evidence 1
According to Rita Sather, from Rochester University, "Good judgment isn’t something [children] can excel in, at
least not yet…the rational part of [one's] brain isn’t fully developed and won’t be until age 25 or so." https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentTypeID=1&ContentID=3051 Reasoning 1
Harry Potter glorifies witchcraft, and this can unfortunately lure children into trying it out. As the rational part of one's brain isn't developed until around their early 20s, curiosity can overtake rationality.
Evidence 2
In an interview for the New York Times, Alex Mar said "Jonathan is a magician in New Orleans who says he has dug up a dozen bodies for use in black magic from graves”. http://nytlive.nytimes.com/womenintheworld/2015/12/01/a-disillusioned-catholic-finds-herself-drawn-to-paganism/
Reasoning 2
Although she later clarifies that he is a, quote, "occult extremist", it still proves that magic can be a risky thing to try. Whether one believes in witchcraft is up to themselves, but there is no denying that trying magic in itself can be dangerous. Now someone might ask "Why would anyone try witchcraft?". It's human nature to want power and success and if there is what they believe is an easier way to do it, they certainly will.
Conclusion
It's not for me to say whether Witchcraft and magic in the real life actually "exists". Do I think that someone who practices Witchcraft can be dangerous? Absolutely. If they believe, they can make things happen. Magic or not, intense emotion can be both positive or dangerous. Witchcraft can be dangerous - some people believe Witchcraft is a deeply positive and a healing thing and some people who practice become delusional and that can in fact hurt someone. Children have impressionable minds that are far more susceptible to risky ideas. As witchcraft is portrayed as exciting in Harry Potter, children will feel curious and inclined to try it. To those who say magic is impossible and non-existent, people do believe in witchcraft and people do try it out. Harry Potter should not be provided to young readers unless the sole purpose is to introduce them to the world of witchcraft. Thank you.
Citations
"Understanding the Teen Brain ." Understanding the Teen Brain - Health Encyclopedia - University of Rochester Medical Center. Ed. Rita Sather. N.p., 2017. Web. 17 Nov. 2017. (-- removed HTML --) . Robb, Alice. "A Very Personal Investigation into Witchcraft in Modern America." The New York Times. The New York Times, 07 Feb. 2017. Web. 17 Nov. 2017. (-- removed HTML --) .
If you feel that the notion of witchcraft is nonsense, you may want to think twice. According to Alex Mar, who identifies as a witch, as many as 1 million other Americans identify as witches, and the numbers are growing. I am here to discuss my point of view as to why Harry Potter should be banned from school libraries. Harry Potter is a series of fantasy novels written by author J. K. Rowling, in which the main is an orphaned teen wizard who lives with an abusive family.
Claim
The Harry Potter series presents dangerous ideas that can be detrimental to young readers, and should be removed from school libraries.
Evidence 1
According to Rita Sather, from Rochester University, "Good judgment isn’t something [children] can excel in, at
least not yet…the rational part of [one's] brain isn’t fully developed and won’t be until age 25 or so." https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentTypeID=1&ContentID=3051 Reasoning 1
Harry Potter glorifies witchcraft, and this can unfortunately lure children into trying it out. As the rational part of one's brain isn't developed until around their early 20s, curiosity can overtake rationality.
Evidence 2
In an interview for the New York Times, Alex Mar said "Jonathan is a magician in New Orleans who says he has dug up a dozen bodies for use in black magic from graves”. http://nytlive.nytimes.com/womenintheworld/2015/12/01/a-disillusioned-catholic-finds-herself-drawn-to-paganism/
Reasoning 2
Although she later clarifies that he is a, quote, "occult extremist", it still proves that magic can be a risky thing to try. Whether one believes in witchcraft is up to themselves, but there is no denying that trying magic in itself can be dangerous. Now someone might ask "Why would anyone try witchcraft?". It's human nature to want power and success and if there is what they believe is an easier way to do it, they certainly will.
Conclusion
It's not for me to say whether Witchcraft and magic in the real life actually "exists". Do I think that someone who practices Witchcraft can be dangerous? Absolutely. If they believe, they can make things happen. Magic or not, intense emotion can be both positive or dangerous. Witchcraft can be dangerous - some people believe Witchcraft is a deeply positive and a healing thing and some people who practice become delusional and that can in fact hurt someone. Children have impressionable minds that are far more susceptible to risky ideas. As witchcraft is portrayed as exciting in Harry Potter, children will feel curious and inclined to try it. To those who say magic is impossible and non-existent, people do believe in witchcraft and people do try it out. Harry Potter should not be provided to young readers unless the sole purpose is to introduce them to the world of witchcraft. Thank you.
Citations
"Understanding the Teen Brain ." Understanding the Teen Brain - Health Encyclopedia - University of Rochester Medical Center. Ed. Rita Sather. N.p., 2017. Web. 17 Nov. 2017. (-- removed HTML --) . Robb, Alice. "A Very Personal Investigation into Witchcraft in Modern America." The New York Times. The New York Times, 07 Feb. 2017. Web. 17 Nov. 2017. (-- removed HTML --) .