What we lose when schools ban books (even the uncomfortable ones)

Years ago, as my son was in the throes of puberty, he was disturbed by his feelings about what was happening to his body as well as responsibilities in school and outside activities.

My wife asked me to talk to him, so he and I took a walk. I told him about a classic book I had read that left a strong impression on me.

The book was “Don Quixote” by Miguel de Cervantes.

What 'Don Quixote' taught my son

It was about a delusional old man on the verge of dementia who viewed himself as a knight who would fight against evil and bring justice to the world.

His first encounter was with a windmill, which he saw as a giant waving his arms. But to make it more vivid for my 13-year-old, I told him that Don Quixote saw the windmill as a fire-breathing dragon.

He attacked the windmill on his horse, breaking his lance and knocking him to the ground.

I explained to my son that as we go through life we are often hit by problems that appear to be fire-breathing dragons, but after we clearly and effectively address them, they turn out to be rickety old windmills.

He took that lesson to heart. Today, he is a vice president in a large multinational corporation.

It's folly to ban books like these

“Don Quixote” has become a symbol in our family as we go through life addressing the issues that we all encounter.

Cervantes’ novel, which included a subtle criticism of the Spanish Inquisition, was censored and banned by the Spanish court in the 17th century.

Four centuries later, that misguided pursuit of censorship is alive and well in the freest country in the world.

More than 1,200 books were challenged in 2022 in efforts to ban them from U.S. libraries and/or schools, according to the American Library Association, a record number for the organization.

Telling stories stimulates the imagination and is a powerful way to get people thinking critically and looking at situations in a new and constructive light.

We picture ourselves as the characters in the book and think about what we would do in their situations.

Books give us metaphors for life

Of course, some of those situations might not be pretty. In fact, they may be downright ugly.

But life is not always beautiful, and real life may require us to confront situations that create conflict and fear.

However, when we’re immersed in a fictional plot we can imagine how we would react and what we would do without having to deal with the real world consequences.

It can be a most enjoyable and effective learning experience.

Banning books and more: Lawmakers push new classroom rules

As someone who has studied engineering and the arts, I’ve always loved the logic and structure of engineering and the beauty and symbolism of the arts.

I’ve relished the ideas that I’ve discovered through reading great books and used them in my careers.

Literature can serve as metaphors for life, from “Moby Dick” to Heart“ of Darkness” to “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner.”

Steve Jobs, the brilliant technologist and entrepreneur, once said that if not for his interest in the arts, Apple would have been just another computer.

Germany still tells its cruel history

Literature is an important way for us to learn about the past, relishing our triumphs and learning from our failures.

Several years ago I visited Berlin. I wondered how the Germans would relate to their history that included the horrors of Nazi Germany and Communist East Germany.

I was surprised to find that the Germans, rather than being afraid to hide their past, put it on display to teach current and future generations not to repeat it.

There is a remarkable Holocaust museum in the heart of Berlin.

Throughout the city there is a trail of bricks commemorating where the wall between East and West Germany was before the wall fell.

Many schools ban uncomfortable tales

Yet, in the U.S. today, a book like Toni Morrison’s “Beloved” is banned in many schools and libraries because it describes the horrors of slavery and its impact on people’s lives.

Why would we want to deprive future generations from the tremendous learning experiences of how our own country grew and evolved?

One of the most banned books in our country is Khaled Hosseini’s “The Kite Runner,” even though it has sold more than 10 million copies here and 38 million copies worldwide.

Hosseini’s book is about Afghanistan and the Taliban takeover of that country, but at its core is a story of betrayal and redemption.

“The Kite Runner” contains some brutal scenes, as does “Beloved.”

But they demonstrate that while many of us have moments we deeply regret, there is always an opportunity to redeem our dignity and respect.

Are we protecting or indoctrinating kids?

Is that a bad lesson to teach each other?

Any work of art has its supporters and detractors, but when one detractor can prevent others from viewing that art because it doesn’t agree with their philosophy or image of the world it becomes akin to an act of ignorance and indoctrination.

Is it really appropriate to prevent people, even young people, from reading about scenarios that may reflect the various elements of life that they may eventually encounter?

Are activists truly protecting their children and others by banning books from schools and public libraries?

Or are they trying to indoctrinate them by blocking ideas and concepts they find objectionable?

Michael Seiden, a Scottsdale resident, retired as president of Western International University. He serves with nonprofits that include Southwest Shakespeare Company and Arizona Theatre Company, and is a co-producer of “Kite Runner,” which will be on a national tour in 2024. Reach him at mseiden@cox.net.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Banned books have so much to offer (yes, even the uncomfortable ones)