does anyone think that book banning and book burning is still a problem in this day and age?

Answer 1

Oh yes, people still burn and ban books. Check it out

http://www.ala.org/ala/oif/bannedbooksweek/bookburning/21stcentury/21stcentury.htm

Answer 2

Unfortunately, book banning is still a problem. Books can be banned for many different reasons, but usually it is someone's call on the morality of the book. Which is strange when you look at some of the DVDs and listen to some of the Cd's that are on the market today!
A case for book banning in the case of children's access to certain types of books can readily be made, but as there are so many stores that specialize in children's books, and as most book sellers have a separate section for children's books, that problem is pretty well taken care of. And I firmly believe the best censorship is provided by the individual parent for their individual child. Not anyone else's child, just their child.
As for the rest -- when you're dealing with adults, they should be able to make a responsible decision about what they choose to read. Not all adults will be enthusiastic about all types of books, but one person doesn't have the right to deny their neighbor access to any kind of book. Even if it's porn. That should be an individual decision. Interestingly enough, some of what was once regarded as porn, such as "Tropic of Cancer" is today regarded as a classic. Which only proves that times change and tastes change.
Book burning isn't really a problem -- or not a major one -- but book banning continues to be a matter of contention.

Answer 3

Yes...you still have people trying to ban books from school libraries. There are people that are trying to get the Harry Potter books banned because they feel that it's teaching kids about witchcraft and the such. I don't know if book burning is an issue anywhere else but you don't hear too much about it here in the U.S. but book banning is still alive and well. There is even a banned books week sponsored by the ALA.

Answer 4

From the Columbus (Ohio) Dispatch newspaper about a story printed 30june2006

Decision to ban books was knee-jerk reaction
Monday, July 17, 2006


I am greatly concerned by the June 30 article "Olentangy district pulls books from summer list," regarding district Superintendent Scott Davis’ decision to pull books from its advanced-placement summer reading list. It appears that for Davis, one parent’s complaint is enough to derail the professional decisions of his teachers.

Both The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon are books with disturbing themes, and there may be some 10 th-graders too immature for these reads. So be it.

Cathie Boone and Nancy Canfield, chairwomen of the English departments for the Olentangy high schools, have offered alternatives for such students in the past. Why should other students in an advanced-placement class be prevented from reading books considered to be contemporary classics?

What is most disturbing is that the parent who has complained has not even read the books. Instead she typed profane words into amazon.com and decided from those results that the books are unsuitable. Does she know anything about the central message of either book?

I don’t relish profanity, but unlike this Olentangy parent, I know it to be a realistic part of our life and literature. Why not use such opportunities to discuss with one’s child the moral implications presented with such language? If said student is 15 or 16 years of age, he may be in college soon enough, where I hope he is equipped to filter information to make his own good decisions.

Bottom line: When a superintendent who has been with the district a few short months unilaterally overrides his teachers at the whim of one parent, something is very wrong. Davis said that next year the summer reading list will be picked by committee: teachers, administrators, board members and parents. Oh, good heavens! The students will be lucky to have a list by the middle of August.

BETH KORUNA

Westerville

Answer 5

Definitely. There will always be someone who is "offended" by a work of art, whether it be a song, a poem, a painting or a book. See the American Library Association website and look over the list of the most censored books. Its hard to believe that someone could be offended enough to want to ban "The Diary of Anne Frank" or "Of Mice and Men," or "Lord of the Flies," but there it is!

Answer 6

Yes, many school systems in the US still are having problems with parents wanting to ban books from their libraries.

Answer 7

book banning is definitely a problem, and i'm sure book burning still occurs in some places.

Answer 8

Yes it is a serious problem. Books should not be banned, people's thoughts and beliefs should not be banned. And the readers' minds should be more respected.

Answer 9

yes. In Cuba, librarians are in prison right now for having and trying to have illegal books in their libraries.

In the US, the government does not ban books unless they are illegal pornography. Individual schools and libraries, on the other hand, have chosen to ban certain books rather than face flak from parents, activists, etc.

Answer 10

It depends on how rational the people think ,political interference,
choice of the masses, religious sentiments etc.

If the people are free and open to healthy discussions and new thoughts,any book would be welcome.If they are going to take it emotionally,and that the book offends any of their beliefs ,any book will be burnt merrily.

Answer 11

Yes it is still a problem especially today. There are more people willing to give freedom in exchange for some PC idea now than there were ever before.