https://padlet.com/gracee936/3kdgpfunsc1kx5gn en-us 2021-10-21 17:55:13 UTC 2021-10-21 20:59:56 UTC hello@padlet.com gracee936 https://padlet.com/gracee936/3kdgpfunsc1kx5gn/wish/1834379118 "How to Kill a Mockingbird" was challenged all over America, mainly in the time period between the 1980s to the early 2000s. It has continuously been removed from classrooms and classroom curriculums for a multitude of reasons, the main ones being racial slurs, rape, being unsuitable for children despite being a children's book, and having a white savior narrative, among others. As of today, the book is still banned in some schools and is still being challenged, though it is relatively easy to get a copy.]]> 2021-10-21 18:11:26 UTC https://padlet.com/gracee936/3kdgpfunsc1kx5gn/wish/1834379118 gracee936 https://padlet.com/gracee936/3kdgpfunsc1kx5gn/wish/1834405114 There is a pattern regarding the racial slurs used in the book that comes up often when researching why the book is so challenged. The main argument for this is that it promotes racism, though the book overall is anti-racism. Other examples of arguments for censorship include profanity (considered immoral), adult themes (rape, sexual intercourse, etc.), and the promotion of white supremacy. Another pattern that comes up often is that black students and parents were uncomfortable with the book due to the use of racial slurs and the white savior narrative.
When it comes to defending the book, most opinions argue that the book is important to the anti-racism movement. Others argue that it is a classic, and even if it is seen as problematic, it shouldn't be censored. I couldn't really find any neutral opinions, all of them were either extremely against the book or supportive.
When it comes to different approaches to handling the challenges issued for the book, there were three main approaches that communities used. They either refused to ban the book, banned the book from their community/school, or censored the slurs within the book.

]]> 2021-10-21 18:23:06 UTC https://padlet.com/gracee936/3kdgpfunsc1kx5gn/wish/1834405114 gracee936 https://padlet.com/gracee936/3kdgpfunsc1kx5gn/wish/1834685739 In my opinion, part of why people started challenging the book was because of the uncomfortableness surrounding racism in the 80s, 90s and early 2000s. To expand on that, I believe that the main reasons why people want a book to be banned is because it contains content, either themes or certain words, that they are uncomfortable with. In some cases, this is understandable, while in others it is more of a grey area. Just because a book introduces a topic we may be uncomfortable with doesn't mean we should try to get rid of it, it means we should preserve it. I think in most cases, people who advocate for censorship are more offended than worried about the effect a book might have on a young reader. These types of books are beneficial for younger readers, after a certain age when they can understand the morals of the topics. After all, if we do not educate our children about these topics, then they could make the same mistakes that were prevalent in the past.
When it comes to how book banning is handled, I don't think it has much of an impact in present time. Anything is accessible on the internet, and it has been a long time since I've heard about a book being banned.]]> 2021-10-21 20:54:27 UTC https://padlet.com/gracee936/3kdgpfunsc1kx5gn/wish/1834685739 gracee936 https://padlet.com/gracee936/3kdgpfunsc1kx5gn/wish/1834693156 There are two parts of these controversies that I can understand why people would be upset. The first is the use of racial slurs. A lot of the words in question in this book are a lot less acceptable now than they were back then, and can make a classroom environment very tense and awkward when this book is read aloud. The second controversy that I understand is the white savior complex. This is a theme that can upset some people, and I can understand that, but I also don't think it's a reason to ban the book all together.]]> 2021-10-21 20:59:56 UTC https://padlet.com/gracee936/3kdgpfunsc1kx5gn/wish/1834693156