For the first time the University of Puerto Rico- Mayagüez, celebrated Banned Books Week. This event has been celebrated around the world for 44 years. It is usually celebrated on the last week of September; this year’s edition took place on Sunday September 21 through Saturday September 27.
What are banned books you may ask? A banned book is a book that is censored/removed from a public access and not allowed to be read in specifics parts of the world due to its content. In the past, books were burned and not denied publishing. They were also punishable by death, torture, prison or other act of retribution. Nowadays, books are banned from libraries, bookshops and schools for reasons that range from religious viewpoints to sexual and drug references. To mention other criterias: racism, violence, religion, political view, explicit language, etc. It is said that books are being banned because they want to “protect others”; also because the content is questionable, and unsuited for age group.
But, books are banned mainly because they allow readers to think differently.
On September 25, Colegio celebrated Banned Book Day with presentations, events and a workshop all dedicated to banned books and all thanks to the initiative and sponsored by EDSA (English Department Student Association). Student Laura García who spoke and gave an introduction to Banned Books, held the first presentation in CH-325 at universal hour. Followed by student Henri Albertorio who presented information about Banned Comics. At the same time, in CH-326 the group “Taller Artístico Creativo Universitario” displayed an art exhibition of Banned Books and held discussions with students on censorship. Later on, Nancy Vicente and Elenita Irizarry provided a workshop in CH-319 about “Exploring Children’s Banned Books”.
Not just books have been banned, but comics too! In 1954 the Comics Magazine Association of America created the Comics Code Authority. This government regulation was to self regulate the content of the comic books as a consequence comic books burnings were held. If the comics were not approved, they would not get published. Some of well-known industries nowadays, like DC Comics and Marvel, had to struggled trough those years to survive.
According to organizers, the purpose of this week is to promote the “celebration of the freedom to read” because it is important to understand multiples perspective on the world. Some of the books that have been banned through the ages are: Charlotte’s Web (because animals were talking to each other…) Ulysses, The Canterbury Tales, Catcher in the Rye, Oliver Twist, Paradise Lost, Jane Eyre, The Hunger Games, the Harry Potter series, The Perks of Being a Wallflower; and the comics: The Dark Knight Strikes Again, Spider-man, Maus, Persepolis, Captain Underpants, Watchmen, and so on.
There’s a way to demonstrate and support the full expression of the written word by choosing one of these (quite uncontroversial) books. Promote freedom to read whatever you wish. Defend banned books, stay educated and a have a formal opinion of what is prohibited.
“We can all challenge a book but not ban one.” Henri Albertorio