While I do not normally step upon my soap box here instead of discussing my writing, the subject is too important to ignore.
THE FOLLOWING IS AN EDITORIAL.
While an ongoing subject since practically the start of the printed word, those who want to "edit" what others read has been in the news a lot lately.
Now it's a given that not everyone is going to like everything.
That's why there are so many different genres, authors working within them, etc.
There's something for everyone and if you don't like a specific book then just don't read it.
That's both your choice and right to do so.
While parents must and hopefully have some say over what their young children read, that does NOT give anyone the right to dictate what others can read.
Your personal opinion is just that.
PERSONAL!
You want to share it? Fine, if done so politely. That's why there are reviewers and critics in the world.
But you canNOT force that opinion upon another individual, let alone a public intuition like a public library!
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| One state's "Concerns" |
THAT IS TOO EXTREME!
Some books may be outdated and past their "prime".
After all, hopefully the Human race has evolved beyond the days of Uncle Tom's Cabin and Huckleberry Finn.
But for those who still want to read them, you can just put a Historical Footnote about the times and the way society was back then at the beginning of the book without destroying Harriet Becher Stowe's or Mark Twain's original prose.
And some of the reasons for wanting to ban or destroy books today just make me shudder.
After all, if you don't know something and are afraid to publicly ask the questions, how else are you going to figure out the answers?
As a writer myself, I know not everything I create is going to be liked by everyone.
Such is life.
But under no circumstances does one adult person have the "right" or "privilege" to dictate what another adult reads.
Lee Houston, Junior
18 September, 2022
THE ABOVE WAS AN EDITORIAL.
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Writing Progress Reports should resume next weekend.
