- Cover of Of Mice and Men
Banned Books Week 2008 is September 27–October 4 . . .
At Bear at Home, we believe in living fully. Our definition of living fully includes the freedom of choice. We advocate making informed healthy choices, but realize ultimately you must decide what’s best for your mind, body and spirit. When it comes to feeding your brain, we feel the same way.
Not every movie, TV show or book is to our liking, but we appreciate that others may find value in choices that do not appeal to us. And we appreciate that we have the option not view or read things that are not to our liking. The key word being the “option” or freedom to choose.
This week is the American Library Association’s Banned Books Week
Celebrating the Freedom to Read. . .
WHEREAS, the freedom to read is essential to our democracy, and reading is among our greatest freedoms; and
WHEREAS, privacy is essential to the exercise of that freedom, and the right to privacy is the right to open inquiry without having the subject of one’s interest examined or scrutinized by others; and
WHEREAS, the freedom to read is protected by our Constitution . . .
Banned Books Week celebrates the freedom to choose or the freedom to express one’s opinion, even if that opinion might be considered unorthodox or unpopular and stresses the importance of ensuring the availability of those unorthodox or unpopular viewpoints to all who wish to read them.
The list of most frequently challenged books includes “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” by Maya Angelou, for racism, homosexuality, sexual content, offensive language and unsuited to age group and “Of Mice and Men” by John Steinbeck, for racism, offensive language and violence. Number 7 on the list – Harry Potter (Series) by J.K. Rowling.
The freedom to read is a sacred privilege many of us take for granted. I urge you to visit the American Library Association’s website and ensure this right continues.
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