Story by: Aubrey Shortridge: Staff Writer
In the American education system, students are typically required to read their choice of a book pulled from a specific list. These books range from historically accurate to incredibly fictional as well as being on a whole different spectrum of time periods. These books, according to the US. Board of Education, include books such as: The Great Gatsby, Fahrenheit 451, and Catcher in the Rye. These books are classics that many adults in today's world have read and most likely had to write in-depth essays about. However, it would surprise many to know that all three books listed are a part of a list called “Banned Books”. What is Book Banning? Book Banning is the act of removing certain pieces of literature from the public education system, essentially removing the ability for it to be taught in schools no matter the grade.
Unfortunately, this list is beginning to grow bigger than it has been in the past. It may be surprising to hear those books be on that list considering how fundamental they are for teenage development. That is exactly the reason they are on the AP Language and Composition and AP Literature exam book list. College Board's official AP Lit overview states, “Characters in literature allow readers to study and explore a range of values, beliefs, assumptions, biases, and cultural norms represented by those characters”(College Board). This is important to note because it then explains that, “Readers establish and communicate their interpretations of literature through arguments supported by textual evidence”(College Board). Essentially, the US. The Board of Education expects students to be able to analyze/recognize certain literary values of characters and use it in a “Literary Argumentation.” The idea is that readers can interpret a character or book and use it in any situation seen fit as a piece of evidence. The AP Book List recommends books the board personally believes are best to use in an argumentative situation. Due to some of the biggest and most used books in the exam being soon-to-be-banned, the curriculum for English may shift heavily all around the country. This is not ideal as the exam is also going to be unpredictable and unprepared when the most important and noted pieces of literature are scrapped in an educational eye.
Some may question, “Well, why is this happening now all of a sudden?”. The answer is simple and it starts with conservatives. The word is not taken lightly in the world of literature and that is due to the conservative belief that religion should be the main priority in literature and its educational outline. Books like The Great Gatsby have heavy religious intentions within that can be painted in highly negative lights. As wel asl, the book itself doesn't exactly make the wealthy look good, which is a large chunk of those who are in high office positions with certain beliefs. With Trump's new entrance into his second term of presidency, the book ban list has become a hot topic this year. Trump is also allegedly being rumored to be banning The Diary of Anne Frank and other historical books due to the view it gives religion and war.
At the end of the day, not much can be done about the new book ban news. However, it is important to stay educated on things that can effect the world concerning literature and education.
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