Letters for May 20: Don’t censor, use controversial books as a way to teach – The Virginian-Pilot
Re Virginia Beach School Board group removes Gender Queer book from libraries, calls it pervasively vulgar (May 16): As both a Virginia Beach citizen and librarian, I find the removal of this book very concerning. This act is censorship, plain and simple. Is the book for everyone? No. Will some kids be able to identify with it, maybe find some answers in it, and feel less alone? Yes.
Heres the thing, there are lots of books in the library that have content I find objectionable. Yes, Im an adult, but what I think is missing in these censorship cases is that if you find your kid has been reading something you dont agree with, that is a huge opportunity to discuss the book or topic with your child. You may discover they still have questions. They might share how they are feeling. You can share, this is what our family believes and why.
Banning books doesnt make a childs questions dissolve, doesnt bolster what is often fragile self-esteem, doesnt help build their critical thinking skills, and doesnt help the child learn to navigate the world with all its variety of people and ideas. Teens are uniquely positioned to discover their identities and books are, or should be, an amazingly nonjudgmental method for them to learn. Finally, do you honestly think reading something will change your sexual preference? No. It wouldnt work for you, and it doesnt work like that for your kids. Stop with the homophobia.
Tamara Sarg, Virginia Beach
Re Forced out: Closure of Newport News airports mobile home park throws residents lives into turmoil (May 15): What have we come to in this country when we no longer have any compassion for the least of our countrymen and place greed and profit over every other human consideration? The Peninsula Airport Commission should reverse the shameful, unilateral, patently cruel and uncaring decision of the Airport Executive Director Mike Giardino and guarantee the occupants of mobile homes in the airport commission-owned mobile home park that their tenancy is safe and will not be uprooted.
It isnt being socialist to think that we all have some responsibility for our fellow citizens, especially those at the base of the economic pyramid. Were already losing our identity as caring Americans in the face of the terrible divisions in our country, and this has to stop somewhere. I urge everyone reading this letter to contribute to the legal defense fund for the mobile home occupants being handled by Newport News attorney Nathaniel J. Webb III. I intend to do so.
Anthony R. Santoro, Yorktown
Re Newport News budget includes first real estate tax reduction since 2008 (May 11): Thanks a lot, Newport News City Council, for reducing the tax rate on real estate by 1.6% ($1.22 to $1.20 per $100), when my assessment has increased 38% since 2018 and 24% in just the past two years.
And thanks to Council member Patricia Woodbury for wanting a larger reduction but voting for this one anyway. It reminded me of using the, all the other kids were doing it defense as a kid when I did something stupid, and of having my mother ask me, If all the other kids jumped off a cliff, would you do it too?
Charles Wilson, Newport News
Now that politicians, columnists and others are saying it is okay to protest in neighborhoods, it is time for them to give out their addresses. This way people who disagree with them can protest in front of their homes. Or how about making any opinion on anything include the persons actual name and address with it?
It just seems we no longer have the right to be civil to others and to disagree without going to the nth degree. Americans have allowed so much to change our lives for what? Are we better off now than before? Americans have worked together in the past and should do now as Americans without any other label attached. Stop the division and start uniting all Americans to build a country we can all be part of for our children.
Joan Fuhrman, Virginia Beach
Re All about power(Your Views, May 6): Besides demanding that the minority must switch its votes to support the majority, which is a pretty power-hungry move, its too late. Power-hungry lunatic Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has already got that position locked up. First he blocked former President Barack Obama from his constitutional right to select a Supreme Court judge. It was too close to the election, and he wanted to make sure the next president got to make the choice.
Then when the vacancy came open at the end of President Donald Trumps term, he now had to rush through the nominee, not worrying about the people getting to choose to see who would be the next president. So, whos the power-hungry lunatic changing all the rules to suit his partys every need? Rather obvious isnt it Don Lovett?
Mike Schoen, Norfolk
See the article here:
Letters for May 20: Don't censor, use controversial books as a way to teach - The Virginian-Pilot
- Exclusive | SUNY urged to probe no-bid contract with publishing giant accused of censorship - New York Post - November 12th, 2024 [November 12th, 2024]
- Trump's five-point strategy after becoming President - The Times of India - November 12th, 2024 [November 12th, 2024]
- Ektaa R Kapoor says, We got our censor in exactly one viewing about The Sabarmati Report getting CBFC certificate - Bollywood Hungama - November 12th, 2024 [November 12th, 2024]
- An Open Letter to Prison Officials on the Censorship of Tip of the Spear - Public Books - November 12th, 2024 [November 12th, 2024]
- Hemingway: X Is The Only Major Free Speech Platform In A Sea Of Censorship - The Federalist - November 12th, 2024 [November 12th, 2024]
- MTSU Professor Looks at the Controversy and Adaptation of Shakespeare and Censorship - Wgnsradio - November 12th, 2024 [November 12th, 2024]
- National Archives Accused of Censoring Images of Civil Rights Leaders and Forced Relocation of Indigenous Peoples - ARTnews - November 12th, 2024 [November 12th, 2024]
- Under Trump 2.0, Hollywood Sees a Wave of Consolidation and Looming Censorship - TheWrap - November 12th, 2024 [November 12th, 2024]
- Donald Trumps re-election is disastrous for free speech - Index on Censorship - November 12th, 2024 [November 12th, 2024]
- EveryLibrary warns Trump election will likely boost censorship efforts - Alabama Political Reporter - November 12th, 2024 [November 12th, 2024]
- How the federal governments misinformation bill might impede freedom of speech - The Conversation Indonesia - November 12th, 2024 [November 12th, 2024]
- Under Trump 2.0, Hollywood Sees A Wave Of Consolidation And Looming Censorship - TV News Check - November 12th, 2024 [November 12th, 2024]
- Why Trump's free speech plan is the "MOST AMAZING" Glenn has ever heard - iHeartRadio - November 12th, 2024 [November 12th, 2024]
- Exclusive | Chinese internet censors ban anti-West firebrand Sima Nan for a year - South China Morning Post - November 12th, 2024 [November 12th, 2024]
- Increase of book bans across the U.S. in 2023-2024; Which books are being banned? - Shreveport Times - November 12th, 2024 [November 12th, 2024]
- The censorship machine is far weaker in 2024 than 2020 - UnHerd - November 5th, 2024 [November 5th, 2024]
- Heres the Dirty Phrase Fox Censors Wouldnt Allow on The Simpsons This Week - Cracked.com - November 5th, 2024 [November 5th, 2024]
- It looks like Ubisoft's finally had it with the Assassin's Creed Shadows outrage mill: 'When we self-censor in the face of threats, we hand over our... - November 5th, 2024 [November 5th, 2024]
- Censoring news does not protect consumers - Freedom of the Press Foundation - November 5th, 2024 [November 5th, 2024]
- Censoring the Intellectual Public Space in China: What Topics Are Not Allowed and Who Gets Blacklisted? - Political Science Now - November 5th, 2024 [November 5th, 2024]
- I'm a dad to 6 kids. I allow them to talk openly about sex and drugs, but I still have boundaries. - Business Insider - November 5th, 2024 [November 5th, 2024]
- SRFOE Raises Alarm Over Educational Censorship in the United States, Warning of Long-Term Impact on Future Generations - Organization of American... - November 5th, 2024 [November 5th, 2024]
- Kamala Harris Will Ratchet Up Campus Censorship - Minding The Campus - November 5th, 2024 [November 5th, 2024]
- Johnnie To Addresses Hong Kong Censorship Challenges in Tokyo Festival Conversation With Yu Irie - Variety - November 5th, 2024 [November 5th, 2024]
- Small Hours of the Night, Film About Censorship, Banned in Singapore, Cannot Be Shown at Festival - Variety - November 5th, 2024 [November 5th, 2024]
- Jim Jordan probes potential YouTube censorship of Joe Rogan - New York Post - November 5th, 2024 [November 5th, 2024]
- Were Bad Bunny and Ricky Martin really shadow banned by Instagram and X? - Vox.com - November 5th, 2024 [November 5th, 2024]
- FBI Spent a Year Preparing Platforms to Censor Biden Story, Withheld Info on Laptops Authenticity - National Review - November 5th, 2024 [November 5th, 2024]
- Banned in the USA: Beyond the Shelves - PEN America - November 5th, 2024 [November 5th, 2024]
- Marc Andreessen, Palmer Luckey Accuse YouTube Of 'Deliberate Censorship' As Trump-Rogan Episode Controversy Rages On: 'These Are Not Accidents' -... - November 5th, 2024 [November 5th, 2024]
- Singaporean docu-drama Small Hours of the Night about censorship banned in republic, withdrawn from screening at SGIFF - Yahoo News Malaysia - November 5th, 2024 [November 5th, 2024]
- Small Hours of the Night, Film About Censorship, Banned in Singapore and Pulled From Festival - imdb - November 5th, 2024 [November 5th, 2024]
- YouTube accused of censoring Joe Rogans interview with Trump - Washington Times - November 5th, 2024 [November 5th, 2024]
- Director of Far-Right Doc Pulled From London Film Festival Says Fear Is Its Own Form of Censorship - Variety - October 21st, 2024 [October 21st, 2024]
- Democrats and Republicans agree on one thing: Censoring hate speech - ND Newswire - October 21st, 2024 [October 21st, 2024]
- Media and the Gaza War: Navigating Censorship, Restrictions, and Biases - Harvard Kennedy School - October 21st, 2024 [October 21st, 2024]
- Florida health officials sued for censorship over abortion campaign ad - The Hill - October 21st, 2024 [October 21st, 2024]
- Election Meddling, Censorship, and More Bad News in 2024 Freedom on the Net Report - Tech Policy Press - October 21st, 2024 [October 21st, 2024]
- Abortion Rights Group Sues Florida Officials Over Alleged Censorship - Newsweek - October 21st, 2024 [October 21st, 2024]
- NPR public editor really uncomfortable with censorship of Posts Hunter Biden laptop story but gives her own outlet a pass - New York Post - October 21st, 2024 [October 21st, 2024]
- JD Vance Thinks Social Media Bans Are TyrannyExcept When They Benefit Him - The Bulwark - October 21st, 2024 [October 21st, 2024]
- Brave Books hosts sale on banned books highlighting the ongoing fight against censorship in Texas and across the Nation - The Prospector - October 21st, 2024 [October 21st, 2024]
- Frankfurt Kids Conference: Looking at Accessibility and Censorship Issues - Publishing Perspectives - October 21st, 2024 [October 21st, 2024]
- Amid global decline in internet freedom, Pakistan classified as not free - asianews.network - October 21st, 2024 [October 21st, 2024]
- The cult of Covid censorship is finally being broken - The Telegraph - October 12th, 2024 [October 12th, 2024]
- Artistic freedom in our theatres is being lost to fear and self-censorship - The Guardian - October 12th, 2024 [October 12th, 2024]
- 'The Wire' creator blasts Russian streamers for removing mentions that Omar is gay - Entertainment Weekly News - October 12th, 2024 [October 12th, 2024]
- This librarian received death threats for fighting book bans. See her in Iowa City here. - The Gazette - October 12th, 2024 [October 12th, 2024]
- JACK Partners On A Timely New Festival Tackling Censorship - BroadwayWorld - October 12th, 2024 [October 12th, 2024]
- Billboard Owner Tries to Censor Nancy Baker Cahills Body Politic Video Art - WEHO TIMES - October 12th, 2024 [October 12th, 2024]
- Breaking the Silence: The Impact of Banned Books - - The Badger - October 12th, 2024 [October 12th, 2024]
- Covid censorship was widespread and is still going on, leading scientist reveals - Collateral Global - October 12th, 2024 [October 12th, 2024]
- Nobody should tell us what to be reading: These Miami groups work to end book bans - Miami Herald - October 12th, 2024 [October 12th, 2024]
- Debate over online censorship heats up in Washington - KEPR 19 - October 12th, 2024 [October 12th, 2024]
- American Library Association president Cindy Hohl on why book bans are hard to stop - NPR - October 11th, 2024 [October 11th, 2024]
- On the Shouting Fire in a Crowded Theater Excuse for Federal Censorship - National Review - October 11th, 2024 [October 11th, 2024]
- Searching for truth: the line between fact-checking and censorship - WHYY - October 11th, 2024 [October 11th, 2024]
- The left is using bogus COVID-19 research to censor their opponents - New York Post - October 11th, 2024 [October 11th, 2024]
- Should we be worried about censorship? - The Brown and White - October 11th, 2024 [October 11th, 2024]
- America First Legal Sues USAID and the Departments of State and Commerce for Illegally Concealing Records on the U.S. Governments Involvement in... - October 11th, 2024 [October 11th, 2024]
- Debate over online censorship heats up in Washington - Baltimore Sun - October 11th, 2024 [October 11th, 2024]
- Movement Media Are Fighting for Palestinian Liberation and Against Censorship - Truthout - October 11th, 2024 [October 11th, 2024]
- Letter to the editor: No one is calling for full censorship - Sky-Hi News - October 11th, 2024 [October 11th, 2024]
- Have a pint and fight censorship at Upscale Pub Crawl - The Almanac Online - October 11th, 2024 [October 11th, 2024]
- State Department investigated by watchdog over memo trying to discredit censorship reporting - Washington Examiner - October 11th, 2024 [October 11th, 2024]
- Voices of Resilience: Confronting Censorship in the Arts - STRAND Magazine - October 11th, 2024 [October 11th, 2024]
- This librarian fought censorship in Texas. She just landed in Philly to revive school libraries - Union Democrat - October 11th, 2024 [October 11th, 2024]
- Books Are Weapons in the War of Ideas. The Incendiary Power of Literature in an Era of Censorship - Literary Hub - October 11th, 2024 [October 11th, 2024]
- Our experts justify censorship of actual news with fake science to help Democrats - New York Post - October 11th, 2024 [October 11th, 2024]
- "Two Censors Walk Into A Bar..." Inside The Slippery World Of Stand-Up Comedy In China - Worldcrunch - October 11th, 2024 [October 11th, 2024]
- Debate over online censorship heats up in Washington - WCHS - October 11th, 2024 [October 11th, 2024]
- Assumptions About Censorship in the Digital Domain Are Not Always What They Seem - S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies - October 11th, 2024 [October 11th, 2024]
- House expands censorship probe to YouTube block on FBI whistleblower interview with Catholic group - Judicial Watch - October 11th, 2024 [October 11th, 2024]
- Opinion: Vance is right. Harris and Walz are a threat to Americans' free speech. - USA TODAY - October 4th, 2024 [October 4th, 2024]
- Fact check has become just another word for censorship - New York Post - October 4th, 2024 [October 4th, 2024]
- City of Newberry accused of attempting to censor resident over 'defamatory remarks' - Gainesville Sun - October 4th, 2024 [October 4th, 2024]
- Banned Books Week: Unlocking the Power of Forbidden Pages - THE WELLSVILLE SUN - October 4th, 2024 [October 4th, 2024]
- Free to Read raises awareness of literature censorship - Carolina News and Reporter | - October 4th, 2024 [October 4th, 2024]
- JD Vance avoids January 6th questions by pivoting to Facebook censorship - The Verge - October 4th, 2024 [October 4th, 2024]
- Pressure, intimidation, and censorship: Israeli journalists have faced growing repression in the past year - Reporters sans frontires - October 4th, 2024 [October 4th, 2024]