Persuasive Essay

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Grand Canyon University *

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English

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Apr 3, 2024

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Cassandra Onorati Instructor Teresa Boswell ENGL-1020 April 11, 2023 Why should school libraries not be allowed to ban certain books? For students, school libraries are a valuable resource for accessing books, digital resources, and other materials for research and learning. On the other hand, schools have decided not to keep certain books in their libraries due to concerns about the subject matter of those books. Although some people argue that such restrictions are necessary to keep students safe, school libraries should not be allowed to restrict access to certain books. The practice of banning books in school libraries undermines intellectual development and education. In the first place, it undermines the educational mission of the institution to prohibit certain books from being kept in school libraries. A wide variety of ideas and points of view are essential for students' intellectual growth and development, which is why school libraries exist to provide this opportunity to students. By prohibiting specific books from being read in schools, students are deprived of the opportunity to explore a variety of perspectives and broaden their knowledge. As well as slowing down their academic pursuits, this stifles their natural curiosity about other subjects. If schools restrict students' access to certain types of materials, they are less likely to be exposed to new ideas, ways of thinking, and general
concepts (Scully). Schools should not encourage students to behave in such a manner if they teach them how to think critically and encourage them to become independent learners. Moreover, restricting student access to books in academic libraries can stifle their freedom of expression rights. By censoring certain books, schools are sending students the message that certain perspectives and ways of thinking are unacceptable. Due to this, the atmosphere in the classroom may foster a climate in which students are afraid to express their opinions or engage in critical thinking for fear of being silenced or punished (Scully). In a democratic society, the right to free expression is one of the most fundamental rights, and such an environment runs counter to these values. As a matter of fact, the United States Supreme Court has consistently ruled that the First Amendment protects the right to receive information and ideas, as well as the right to speak, write, and publish freely (Zurcher). Schools’ ought to be at the forefront of promoting these freedoms rather than being the ones to place restrictions on them. Additionally, certain books shouldn't be banned from school libraries because it undermines both the authority of teachers and librarians. As well as providing guidance on how to critically evaluate various sources, these professionals have received extensive training to help students navigate difficult subjects and ideas. It is implied that educators and librarians are incapable of fulfilling their responsibilities and that censorship is a more effective way to protect students when books are prohibited from being read in schools (Scully). Students' trust and respect for their teachers are destroyed by this, as well as the impression that independent thought and critical thinking aren't valued in our society. Attempting to form one's own opinions and thoughts about the world around one can be especially detrimental to a student's
development as a thinker and individual. By restricting students' access to certain types of reading material, schools are also limiting their opportunities to develop critical thinking skills. The criteria for banning books from being kept in school libraries are frequently arbitrary and open to interpretation. What may be considered offensive or inappropriate by one person may not be viewed in the same light by another. When there are no clear standards and guidelines, decisions regarding the banning of books can be made in an arbitrary and unfair manner. Books will likely be banned for no other reason than that their content poses a threat to the established order or exposes unsettling realities as a result of this type of censorship (Zurcher). When it comes to issues of social justice and equity, this kind of censorship is especially challenging (Zurcher). As an example, students are deprived of the opportunity to learn about a significant period in American history if they are prevented from reading materials about the Civil Rights Movement because doing so makes them feel uneasy. Schools are reducing the number of opportunities students have to gain knowledge about significant social issues and engage in those discussions by restricting student access to certain materials. In conclusion, banning books from school libraries undermines the educational mission of schools, stifles intellectual curiosity, undermines freedom of expression, undermines the authority of educators, and is often based on subjective criteria (Scully). A practice that is often based on subjective criteria is the ban on books in school libraries. Rather than banning books, schools should focus on providing students with the tools and resources to navigate complex topics and ideas. This means creating an atmosphere in which students are encouraged to explore different perspectives and ideas, even though doing so may be challenging or uncomfortable for them. In order for students to form their own thoughts and ideas about the
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