Censorship is a Dirty Whore

Want to hear something amusing?  It occurred to me that my mother might read this, or my aunt, both of whom I love dearly (who will call me on this)…and I nearly censored myself.  Ironic?  I think so.  So sorry Mom and Auntie T., but that’s just what censorship is.

Ooookay, and this post starts now. Today’s link is to 25 Banned Books That You Should Read Today.

The idea of banning books amazes me.  The only reason I can think of that libraries and schools would ban books is because parents are too lazy to parent their children.  We’re not talking going into the corner store and buying a dirty mag, here.  We’re talking Bridge to Terabithia, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, and Harry freaking Potter (which I personally push on my kids like crack–it’s a damn good story.  That’s right.  I said it.  I read children’s books.  I’m not a book snob sobiteme.).

Granted, American Psycho is on there as well.  And, honestly, I felt a little squeamish reading it when my daughter was in the same room.  But banned?  No.  What about The Color Purple?  Sure, there’s the beating and the molesting and teen pregnancy, but at it’s core is a beautiful story of hope, of a woman, several women, overcoming crippling adversity and finding themselves.  In the world we live in, maybe it’d be a good thing for a kid who is able to read at this level to understand there are worse things in the world than NOT getting an iPod Nano in orange.  You know who you are, Miss C.

So, to summarize.  Censorship is a dirty whore.  Sharing books with your children, discussing them, and guiding them with literature is… whatever the opposite of a dirty whore is.  A clean lady who only has sex for free?  Whatever.