This week is banned book week.
"We believe attempts to censor ideas to which we have access--whether in books, magazines, plays, works of art, television, movies or song--are not simply isolated instances of harassment by diverse special-interest groups. Rather they are part of a growing pattern of increasing intolerance which is changing the fabric of America. . .
"Censorship cannot eliminate evil. It can only kill freedom. We believe Americans have the right to buy, stores have the right to sell, authors have the right to write and publishers have the right to publish Constitutionally-protected material. Period."
Excerpt from a letter to 28 newspapers, signed by Ed Morrow, president, American Booksellers Assn. and Harry Hoffman, president, Walden Book Co., Inc. (1990).
Now, as a parent, I believe that it is my job to protect my children from obscene material, or material that somehow undermines the teachings of our home and our faith. Please read that sentence carefully; I believe it is MY JOB to protect my children. Parents can and should be reading what their children read, ask questions and hold meaningful discussions about what they are reading and learning about.
It is not within the rights of a school, religious group or any other special interest group to step in and attempt to parent the entire community.
This week on Fantasy Casting, all my posts will be about banned books in one way or another. Please, share these posts. There is a gadget at the bottom of each post that allows you to share via a multitude of social networking sites. We need to keep our eyes and our minds on this topic. Pulling books from shelves is an unacceptable practice. If parents do not want their children reading something- that's their business. Not mine. Not yours. Not the schools'.
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