Week 10- Censoring of Books

Dear Perry,
As you know, I love to read! The other day something happened that has never happened to me before: I actually had to put down a book! I only put down books if they are too difficult for me to understand, totally un-interesting, or pornographic. In this case, I had to stop because the book I was reading was extremely graphic in its descriptions. That night I found the graphic descriptions popping into my head. I awoke extremely distressed. I decided I wanted to find out if what we read can really affect our minds. So, I went onto the Harold B. Lee Library home page and began to search.
I decided to begin my research with a simple question of what the history of censorship was like. I found that in 1873, the Comstock Act was passed, which outlawed all material that could influence the “tender minded.” But people began to think that censorship was a violation of the first amendment because it was restricting the freedom of the author’s speech.
After finding the background I began to look into the controversy of censorship. It is argued that because life is uncensored, we should not censor books because they introduce children to real life situations. But I also found that when children see people in the movies, they look up to them. Therefore, if the person is engaging in gratuitous sex, the child will think it is okay. But, as a counterargument expressed, if we censor these types of situations, then the person reading, or viewing, will be more likely to experiment with it then if they already knew about it. What they are trying to assert is that ignorance is not always bliss.
As I searched out these things, I found so much more pertaining to censorship in the media. I found evidence both for and against censoring the material we read. I know that what I read did affect me. It has caused me to believe that the only way to get around this problem is to have a rating system like we have for movies. That way, those that want to read the juicy details can, and those of us that don’t, don’t have to! I am truly shocked that it had to come to this, but I am glad I did some research about the problem.
Sincerely,
Amy