The Importance Of Banning Books In Schools

The banning of books in modern day school systems has been very controversial recently. Some believe that restricting a student’s right to read any desired book is almost as immoral as it was to restrict African American slaves the right to learn how to read or write. Frederick Douglass, a slave who was denied the right to an education, went against the beliefs of his slave owners, and eventually became a highly educated man who led the abolitionist movement and wrote many inspiring speeches. The banning of books from schools and libraries is similar to Frederick Douglass being prevented from learning to read because both victims were hindered from learning to their full potential, didn’t get to make their own decisions, and both have had to go out of their way to educate themselves.
By banning books, students are being denied the right to learn to their full potential.
Frederick Douglass was denied the right to learn how to read, and current students are now being deprived of the right to read certain books. Taking away these books suppresses their mind’s need to intellectually grow. Because Frederick Douglass went against the common belief of many slave owners to pursue his education, he was able to grow up to be a highly intelligent and inspiring human being. The school system is denying contemporary students’ minds of fully expanding by banning these books. The controversial books are often times the books that will give the students the most insight as to what is occurs in the world outside of school. If students want to read more than they are already encouraged to within their classes, they should not be told that the books are too controversial for them. If students were allowed easy access to all books, their minds would expand and they would have the option to grow up to be highly intelligent adults. The more information the children are able to reach, the larger of an impact they can have on the world when they evolve into young
adults.
The choice to educate oneself should be a decision from within. No one should be able to make decisions on whether or not one decides to educate themselves. Frederick wasn’t given the option to learn how to read or write, and now students aren’t given the option to read certain books in their libraries. State law in Arizona recently prohibited a controversial Mexican-American studies curriculum. The class was taught in local elementary, middle and high schools. It emphasized critical thinking and focused on Mexican-American literature and perspectives. Although the class increased graduation rates, improved test scores, and had a high student interest, they still banned it because it was believed to teach the kids to hate white people. It was quite clear that the students enjoyed and benefited from learning this material, but state law banned it. They students and instructors has no say in the matter, just like Frederick Douglass and his fellow slaves had no choice in their academic future.
Frederick Douglass took it upon himself to learn how to read and write. While living in slave owners’ houses, his mistress “kindly commenced to instruct [him]…” until she “not only ceased to instruct, but had set her face against [his] being instructed by anyone else.” (Douglass, 47) After this, Frederick had to take it upon himself to learn. He went against everything that the white slave owners believed, and started to secretly learn the words painted on the sides of boats, and tricked young boys into competing in scholarly games. “…when I met with any boy who know I could write, I would tell him that I could write as well as he. The next word would be, “I don’t believe you. Let me see you try it.” I would then make the letters which I had been so fortunate as to learn, and ask him to beat that.” (Douglass, 50) It’s clear that Frederick Douglass had to overcome many obstacles and come up with creative ways to learn how to read and write. Being restricted on any type of learning is clearly immoral, and after hundreds of years, one would think that modern education systems would learn that any type of censorship is corrupt. Many classic and meaningful books are being banned from schools and libraries, and the students are having to go out of their way to get their hands on them. There shouldn’t be any banned books, whether is because it is “anti-ethic,” “racist,” “sexually explicit,” or because it has “explicit language.” If Frederick Douglass put his life on the line to learn how to read and write, students will go out of their way to read highly desired books that have been banned from their school or local library.
In conclusion, banning books from schools and libraries is similar to Frederick Douglass’ struggle with education because both students and Douglass are unable to learn to their full potential, neither of them got any decision on whether or not their education should be restricted, and both the students and Douglass have to go to great lengths in order to get a well-rounded education.

Works Cited
Austin, Michael. Reading the World: Ideas That Matter. 2nd ed. New York City: Norton &, 2010. Print.
"Tucson 's Mexican-American Studies Ban." The Daily Show. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Mar. 2014.