Dear Ms. Berner,
“You think your pains and heartbreaks are unprecedented in the history of the world, but then you read. It was books that taught me that the things that tormented me were the very things that connected me with all the people who were alive, or who have ever been alive.”-James Baldwin
Books are meant for reading, not banning. An author writes a book for a purpose, whether it’s to entertain, teach, or persuade. Nobody has the right to take a book away because of their own opinions. This has been a major issue in many schools and libraries all over the country. Many people believe that some books are not appropriate for young adult, but many others disagree. People should be able to read what they want when they want, no matter what others think because books unite us and help us to see that we are not alone.
Reading can help young adults deal with stress in their everyday lives. The article “Reading ‘can help reduce stress’” talks about a recent study that shows that reading reduces stress up to 68%. The researcher, Dr. Lewis, had volunteer’s heart rates increased, then he made them complete actions to see which action lowered their levels the most. “Subjects only needed to read, silently, for six minutes to slow down heart rate and ease tension in the muscles, he found.” This statistic shows the positive affects reading has on people. Why minimize people’s options? The article then explains why researchers believe reading reduces stress. “Psychologists believe this is because the human mind has to concentrate on reading and the distraction of being taken into a literacy world eases the tension in the mind and heart.” Not only is it proven by an experiment, but psychologists also see why this fact is reasonable.
Banning books not only unfairly limits young adults options, but it goes against the First Amendment. The article “Against Banning Books” by Neha K., quotes Micah Issitt who is an independent scholar/adventuring historian. “Three basic rights covered under the freedom of the press: the right to publish, the right to confidentiality of sources, and the right of citizens to access the products of the press.” By banning books, citizens cannot access certain published work in some places, which is their right.
Reading has many positive effects on people, yet some people think that some books should not be allowed. In the article “Warning: The Literary Canon Could Make Students Squirm” by Jennifer Medinamy, the author shows that some books can trigger strong feelings and bad memories inside of students. “The material they are about to read or see in a classroom might upset them or, as some students assert, cause symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder in victims of rape or in war veterans.” People who are pro-banning agree that some books cause people who have been through certain events to be upset. Some books can bring back bad memories and strong feelings. This is a relevant argument, yet many people believe that it is unfair to take away the right of reading what you want from people.
In conclusion, people should be able to choose what they want to read without the input of others. If a person doesn’t think a book is appropriate, other people should not be affected. If a person believes that a book is too intense, then they can avoid it themselves. Maturity levels vary in different people and some can handle more than others. You don’t have to ban a book for everyone because of what you feel.
From, Gianna
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