Celebrate Freedom of Speech Oct 3rd Downtown

Saturday marked the start of Banned Books Week for 2008.

"Banned Books Week: Celebrating the Freedom to Read" is observed during the last week of September each year. This year's celebration (September 27 through October 4) marks the 27th anniversary of the event, and we want to celebrate it together.

Banned Books Week is the only national celebration of the freedom to read. People challenge books that contain ideas they don't like. Objections to profanity, slang, offensive portrayals of racial or religious groups, and even positive (or simply not negative) portrayals of homosexuals are the most common reasons for a book to be challenged. Targets range from books that explore the latest social issues, to books on natural animal behavior, simple fictional novels, and even the most classic and beloved works of American literature.

A challenge occurs when a formal, written complaint is filed with a library or school requesting that materials be removed because of content or appropriateness. Challenges can be filed by individuals or groups, and it is estimated that for every challenge issued, about four others go unreported. A challenge is an attempt to ban or restrict materials, based upon someone's personal opinions. Successful challenges result in books being restricted, or even banned.

Banned Books Week celebrates the freedom to choose and express one’s opinion even if it may be unorthodox or unpopular in the prevailing culture. Stressing the importance of ensuring the availability of those unorthodox or unpopular viewpoints to all who wish to explore them ensures intellectual freedom for all. In times like these, freedom of thought is a sacred right, to be celebrated and embraced, not taken lightly.

“If we don't believe in freedom of expression for people we despise, we don't believe in it at all.” ~ Noam Chomsky

There are no book stores in Southwest Missouri listed as celebrating Banned Books Week, so a friend of The Radish has invited everyone to come to the square for the First Friday art walk, this October the 3rd, from 5-7pm, and read banned books. Pick a book to read quietly, or simply gather to discuss censorship. Let's all support one another in standing up for the First Amendment right to free speech! Don't have a banned or challenged book to bring, no problem, there's a library right off the square.

“If there is a bedrock principle underlying the First Amendment, it is that the government may not prohibit the expression of an idea simply because society finds the idea itself offensive or disagreeable.” ~ Supreme Court Justice William J. Brennan, Jr.

For a list of the banned or challenged books from the Top 100 Novels of the 20th Century visit here. Stop by your local library and check one out today in celebration of your freedom to read what you want!

Banned Books Week ~ Because freedom of speech isn't just for those who share your opinions, it's for everyone!

* The square gathering of book and freedom-lovers is a non-organized non-event. No one is in charge, and there are no sponsors, or official permission. Each participant is responsible for their own action or inaction. Come as you are to the public downtown park to exercise your rights, and deny censorship, while expressing and encouraging community solidarity!