Kids face issues in banned books in real life. Why shelter them unnecessarily? | Opinion
Editor's note: Former Brevard resident Linda Tyndall died Jan. 26 in New Mexico. A mother, wife, activist and author, she and her daughter, Rebecca, led a challenge to get "Fifty Shades of Grey" back on Brevard public library shelves in 2012. This column first appeared in FLORIDA TODAY in March 2022. She continued, as long as possible, to speak out about, among other issues, censorship, homelessness and equality. She is survived by her husband of 33 years, Robert; daughter, Rebecca; and countless friends. In Rebecca's words after her mother's passing: “If love were a currency, it would be impossible for my mom to gauge just how rich she was.”
As the person who was directly involved with getting author E. L. James' "Fifty Shades of Grey" returned to Brevard County Public Library shelves in May 2012, I am appalled at the censorship that is currently happening in Brevard County, and around the country.
I spent 25 years of my life in Brevard. I co-raised a child there, and as a person of faith who doesn’t believe in imposing my beliefs and biases on others, I can’t understand censorship and the need to remove books from public or school library shelves. Book banning has become a modern-day plague, and it’s unfortunately spreading rapidly.
My first real experience with book banning occurred when my daughter was in public school at Williams Elementary in Viera. Our school librarian was on extended leave, and the library aide decided to remove all copies of Harry Potter from the shelves for "repairs." I was horrified. The person who removed them wasn’t fooling anyone; she was against the witchcraft, wizardry, and magic in Harry Potter and didn’t want the children of Williams to be able to access them. As a parent, I felt helpless. There was nothing I could do about it. (The books were eventually returned to the shelves when the librarian returned from leave.)
Taking reading materials away from adults who should be able to read what they want is bad enough (as in the "Fifty Shades" debacle). Taking books away from children who are in the process of being molded into the adults that they’re meant to become is horrendous. Why are these select few adults allowed to decide what others’ children should be reading? When “well-meaning” adults take away a child’s free will to read what they want, they are doing nothing more than forcing children into their own pre-conceived mold.
In 2004, we transitioned into homeschooling, with the support of a very large, progressive homeschool support system. After that point in time, we never again had to worry about school libraries or religious, political, and personal agendas. We had more freedom, and daily access to bookstores and public libraries. We had clubs and classes and co-ops where we read popular books, classics, banned books, and everything in between.
More: From a new middle school to book reviews: 5 things to expect in 2024 from Brevard Schools
My daughter was always allowed to choose what she wanted to read, through childhood and into adulthood. If a sensitive or controversial subject came up, we sat down and discussed it. If something questionable or disturbing arose, I was always available to listen, to explain, to clarify, and to guide more in-depth research, if necessary. If it was a subject beyond my comprehension or interest level, she took it upon herself to look into it even further on her own.
She and I have read and continue to read many of the same books at the same time, which has opened up wonderful bonding opportunities (and enlightening conversations). It has also opened her mind. This is what comes from trusting your child’s ability to choose appropriate books on their own. I honestly don’t think we give children enough credit.
Soon enough, I found my daughter expanding her book interests and delving into genres that didn’t even interest me. She is a much more well-rounded reader, as a result.
When my daughter and I found ourselves in the middle of the "Fifty Shades" ban, we ended up checking out library books across many genres, that had been banned for the most absurd and twisted reasons (i.e., language, sex, coming-of-age topics, dating, “nudity,” drug use, etc.). These are all things that people come in contact with in day-to-day life. They are the issues that kids, teens, and young adults are already discussing, and banning books will not keep those conversations from happening. Many of these are issues that they’re going to face eventually, in real life. Why do we need to shelter them unnecessarily?
Taking away books is taking away knowledge.
You’d better be careful with what you let kids read, because one day they might end up thinking for themselves.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Why let a select few adults decide what all kids may read? | Opinion
