I have quite a few banned books on my bookshelves and have read many in my lifetime (ooh I'm such a rebel). I do not believe in censorship of books. I believe in free speech, even when I do not agree with what you say, or if I am offended by what you say. My fear in censoring any speech, writing, art, etc. is who are the judges that are promoting/doing the censoring. While I may not agree with what you say or write or create, it doesn't mean that it is wrong, just because it doesn't conform to what society says is "right". What happens when someone judges my words because they go against the norm of society at that given time? Where is our right to express our thoughts and feelings even if it rebellious, confrontational or simply honest.
So, onto the book I choose for this challenge - again, a book that languished on my shelf and I honestly don't recall exactly why I picked it up (well before the TV series came out) other than I was intrigued as to how the author would tackle the subject of teen suicide.
The book was in the Top 10 of banned books in 2012 and because of the TV series and subsequent increase in the book's popularity, many school district's are newly banning it. It has been banned for "drugs/alcohol/smoking, sexually explicit, suicide, unsuited for age group" (American Library Association). The TV series has been criticized for glamorizing teen suicide.
I've not seen the TV series to know how the book has been portrayed but I think it is a shame to ban the book. The book opens the door for a conversation about teen suicide, even suicide generally, a taboo subject in schools, in families and among friends (and this was the author's hope). It is written in a unique way so that not only do you get a hindsight perspective, but you get the reactions of those who touched Hannah's life, good and bad. This is not just a book for those who have ever contemplated suicide and need to not feel alone and need to understand they need to seek out someone to talk to, but it's for those who have ever bullied, teased, ridiculed others or kept silent in the face of the same. It is to remind the reader that your words and actions have effect, even if you see it as something small, minute, it was a moment, a passing in the hall or on the sidewalk, a reaction to another's anger/sadness/indifference - your action may be the final straw for that other person, the final push from the edge on which they were standing. Just as a kind word, a smile, a nod of understanding, a moment from your busy schedule or your phone or your posts on social media to listen to someone, may be what pulls them from the edge, may be the one action that restores their hope.
Quotes: Pages 51-53 (event in the Blue Spot Liquor store) - too long to type here, but good explanation of the sexual objectification of women.
"You don't know what goes on in anyone's life but your own. And when you mess with one part of a person's life, you're not messing with just that part. Unfortunately, you can't be that precise and selective. When you mess with one part of a person's life, you're messing with their entire life."
If you are contemplating suicide, are in emotional distress and feeling alone or believe a friend or loved one is please, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255. You are not alone. https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
And to all of us - be kind to one another. In the end, all we have, all that really matters is humanity.
No comments:
Post a Comment