“And on the subject of burning books: I want to congratulate librarians, not famous for their physical strength or their powerful political connections or their great wealth, who, all over this country, have staunchly resisted anti-democratic bullies who have tried to remove certain books from their shelves, and have refused to reveal to thought police the names of persons who have checked out those titles.
So the America I loved still exists, if not in the White House or the Supreme Court or the Senate or the House of Representatives or the media. The America I love still exists at the front desks of our public libraries.” Kurt Vonnegut
Freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and freedom of information belong on the same continuum. If he can say what he wants, and she can write what she wants, then information should be readily available to everyone. Books, encyclopedia, commentary and news are free for the asking at the local library. The internet is a vast, complex resource for information of any sort, on any topic. Cell phones give instant access to information from anywhere.
Knowledge is power. Arming oneself with information allays fears, bolsters opinions, changes erroneous thinking, and builds character. When formal education is done, learning should continue throughout life. Books contain all the knowledge in the world, neatly wrapped by subject between pretty covers. Yes, a book can be judged by its cover; that’s what the flyleaf is for.
Since Gutenberg’s miraculous invention, books have been banned for all sorts of reasons. Books have been banned for promoting witchcraft, encouraging promiscuity, promoting or decrying racism, and even just strong language. If a government bans a book, it is an act of oppression. Knowledge, thoughts, and beliefs are being silenced or forbidden, and that is wrong. (This should not be confused with choosing what you will and won’t read. That’s not being oppressive, that’s being selective.)
Even novels carry knowledge and information. Chaim Potok and Harry Kemmelman novels teach much about keeping a kosher home. Biblical fiction fleshes out the Bible stories and gives cultural information and references not found in the Bible. Even a serial romance novel can spark thoughts about what is desirable in a spouse and what is not acceptable. Fantasy novels are ultimate allegories, with pure evil battling pure virtue, and that can be another essay in itself.
Not everyone reads or likes the same genre. Some people adore history, others only read it under extreme duress. Some people read only romance novels, others shun any book with mushy parts. Self help, medical reference, holy writing, political commentary, comic strips—there’s something out there for everyone. Setting a dull book down is not a crime. There are too many great books out there to waste time on the merely mediocre or the outright boring.
My book choices are pretty liberal, and I think all truth can be useful knowledge. Praise goes to the librarians, who encourage learning and knowledge of all sorts. Now go find something to read.
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