You Have the Freedom to Read... Sort Of

When I think of the United States, I think of freedom and equality for all. However, as I get older, I see how that America contradicts itself from its notion of equality and freedom. Such issues are the unequal rights for females, the LGBTQ+ community, blacks, and many more. Such movements and conflicts that have come out from this are feminism, the Civil War, the Pride movement (correct me if that's not what it's called), illegal immigrants, and many more. This is all compared to the white male, as our founding fathers were white males and at the time, were not thinking of all these things. I mean, its understandable, leave it for your successors, but what happens when the government intentionally takes away the right to read whatever you want? Where is the freedom with that?

Last week, National Banned Book Week occurred in order to celebrate the freedom to read. All of these books were banned due to the themes they possess according to the age group they are directed to. Some of these books include:

1. The Complete Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi due to its political viewpoint, offensive language,  and gambling.
2. The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison for its sexually explicit content.
3. And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell due to its political and religious viewpoints, promotion of homosexuality, and anti-family intentions. 

These are just three out of ten. If you want to look at the full list, here is the link:  http://www.bannedbooksweek.org/about

Out of the three I listed above, I have read The Complete Persepolis, and I really enjoyed it. I liked due to the story and the fact that it was a graphic novel, showing several themes in visual detail. Though it has offensive language, and its political viewpoint may not be agreeable to the American government's viewpoint, I think young adults won't be offended by the book. With The Bluest Eye, which I have not read, its almost laughable that its banned due to its sexually explicit content. I believe the you must show young adults "adult-themed" books in order for them to learn from a literary sense as well as experiencing it on their own. Now, if this book is like Fifty Shades of Grey (which I have NOT read nor plan to), then its understandable, or if someone in the story gets raped, that is also understandable. But if it is neither, then the fact that its sexually explicit isn't a sufficient excuse for why it is banned. Finally, And Tango Makes Three, makes sense to be banned for its political and religious viewpoint, if they are offensive. The anti-family pressure also makes sense for it to be banned, as everyone should love their family. Finally, the reason it is banned for homosexuality is ridiculous. It is 2015, and homosexuality rights are starting to finally take place nationally, after the Supreme Court nationally sanctioned same-sex marriage on June 26, 2015. If this book is banned for its emphasis for its homosexuality, diatribes should go towards the government, who banned this book, for its contradictive action.

If my community shunned me for reading these books, I will argue that I have the right to read whatever they want. I'm a maverick, what can I say?