Banned and Burned: The Books That We Are Forbidden To Read
[This was written for the USAWA Newsletter.]
What connects *To Kill a Mockingbird*, *The Wizard of Oz*, *The Little Prince*, *Charlotte’s Web*, and *The Diary of a Young Girl*? Aside from being beloved reads from our childhood that taught us about empathy, friendship, courage, and staying true to ourselves, they all share a spot on the list of “Banned Books.”
Books can get banned for the most bizarre reasons. Take *The Wizard of Oz*, for example — it was criticized for its “benevolent witches” and for suggesting that human qualities are “individually developed.” Then there’s *Charlotte’s Web*, which faced backlash for featuring talking animals, deemed blasphemous by some. Ironically, it’s these very aspects that make these stories so memorable. *Charlotte’s Web* uses animals to teach kids about kindness and sacrifice, while *The Wizard of Oz* reassures misfits that their differences are what make them unique.
When you look at the list of banned books and the reasons behind the bans, a common thread emerges: each of these stories challenges the status quo. They push readers to reflect on the inequities, injustices, and prejudices that often go unnoticed until someone points them out.
At the heart of every book ban is fear — fear of losing power or status because someone might start asking tough questions. For instance, when Delhi University removed Mahasweta Devi’s short story *Draupadi* from its syllabus, they claimed it was due to “gruesome sexual content.” But in a country where a rape occurs every 16 minutes, shouldn’t we be discussing these issues? Instead of pulling the story from the curriculum, shouldn’t students be encouraged to explore the power dynamics behind sexual violence, especially custodial rape? The intent behind removing *Draupadi* was to protect the image of the Army, but shouldn’t we focus on holding those in power accountable?
One of the most extreme cases of book banning was the fatwa issued against Salman Rushdie after he published *The Satanic Verses*. It’s unlikely that many calling for the ban had even read the book (the man who tried to assassinate him certainly hadn’t), and it’s almost certain that those whose feelings might be hurt never picked it up either. Yet they wanted it banned simply because someone else decided their sentiments could be offended!
Someone recently joked that parents should only propose removing a book from the school library after reading it in full and delivering a report evaluated by the English department. While that might cut down on bans, a better strategy for readers would be to seek out banned books. If someone wants a book banned, there is something in the book that has challenged the current order, and it is worth reading the book to find out what that might be.
