Banned Book Week, an annual event that runs from September 24th to September 30th, stands as a powerful reminder of the importance of intellectual freedom and the enduring battle against censorship. Banned Book Week is used to recognize the issue of books being banned, but we lack the action to find a solution.
Classic novels like George Orwell’s “1984,” Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird” and J.K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter” series have all been subjected to censorship efforts. I have always enjoyed reading and using books as an escape from reality and it kills me to know others do not experience this kind of enjoyment. However, what disappoints me the most is that rather than accepting that others have different opinions and enjoy these books, they have taken a villainous action to hide them from the shelves because they don’t agree.
Although Banned Book Week plays an important role in raising awareness of villainous actions, I strongly believe this course of action is not strong enough to stop the ongoing issue. A book to an author is like a painting by Van Gogh, they are works of art. We see rather controversial paintings in museums where they are being cherished and honored. However, books that withhold controversial opinions from individuals are being pulled off the shelves.
In order for these authors to be recognized for the creative art they have acquired, we must take a deeper understanding of the issues and information we are trying to bring awareness to. Starting by reading banned books and sharing your thoughts on social media. By sharing different opinions on these pieces of literature among all demographics, we can open up the eyes of those who choose not to open the page.
Banned Book Week is not just a celebration of literature; it is a celebration of our fundamental right to think, express, and explore ideas without fear of censorship or repression. By sharing your own experiences in the pages we can better understand and honor the creativity it takes to write these books.
