Trashing Classics: America Burns Its Literary Gems
America Discarding Timeless Masterpieces
Hey there! Let's talk about the hot mess that is book censorship in the United States of Spin-first in 2025. Yup, you guessed it - some schools and libraries are ditching their classic reads and causing a ruckus. But what are these books so offensive they shouldn't see the light of day? Read on to find out.
As soon as someone's feelings get hurt by a book, it's off the shelves and banned like yesterday's news. Financially speaking, that's a pretty heavy fine, with threats in the five-figure dollar range. This America, under the reign of President Donald Trump, is no longer a haven for freedom of speech. These are the books that enlighten, open eyes, expose the realities of life, make people uncomfortable, and ask tough questions. And wouldn't you know it - the hotspots for bans are Florida and Iowa.
If you thought the censorship lists ended with George Orwell's Animal Farm and 1984, think again. The banned books list got an upgrade:
The Handmaid's Tale - Offred's Testimony
This dystopian masterpiece by Margaret Atwood from 1985 is a modern classic. The radioactive, chemical, and bacterial contamination that led to sterility in many people paves the way for a Christian fundamentalist group to seize power. They murder the president, suspend the constitution, censor newspapers, and build a theocratic dictatorship with strict rules and police controls. The story is told from the perspective of a maid who bears children for an infertile couple. This book is so rattling that it was even turned into a TV series.
Animal Farm - Farm of the Animals
First published in 1945 by George Orwell, this fable tells the story of the uprising of the animals on a farm against their human owner's neglect. After initial success, the pigs, who have taken over leadership, establish an even worse tyranny. The novel is an allegory of the history of the Soviet Union, but can sadly be applied to today's America.
1984
All about Big Brother watching, this dystopian novel by George Orwell is a classic. The story takes place in a totalitarian surveillance state where Winston Smith, a simple member of a dictatorial party, fights to regain his personal freedom. His rebellion against the system lands him in hot water, and he's tortured, brainwashed, and reminded that "ignorance is strength."
The Diary of Anne Frank
Mandatory reading for German schoolchildren, the story of 13-year-old Anne Frank hiding with her family from the Nazis during World War II is a powerful piece of history. After the family was captured, Miep Gies, their helper, saved the diary and passed it on to Anne's father, Otto Frank, the sole survivor of the family. The diary was translated into over 70 languages, filmed multiple times, and is included in UNESCO's World Heritage List.
But don't think that's all the history America wants to suppress. One popular title facing censorship is To Kill a Mockingbird, a novel about prejudice and racism in the 1930s. It's hard to believe that in 2025, this novel is being banned from schools and libraries.
Other banned titles include The Hunger Games, The Fault in Our Stars, and even Nineteen Minutes, straying far from the lighthearted fare you'd expect from a Trump-led America. So until next time, book enthusiasts, keep your eyes open and let freedom of speech reign.
Sources:
- https://pen.org/statistics
- https://www.npr.org/2022/12/29/1170738903/book-bans-2022-censorship-schools
- https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/10/26/books/book-bans-library-database.html
- https://apnews.com/article/education-books-bans-religion-places-1c2aafa417e671386a0616e0b1e7ad2c
- https://pressfreedomtracker.us/americas-military-bans-books-on-gender-identity-and-critical-race-theory-and-ignores-instances-of-censorship/
- The International community is shocked by the USA's decision to ban several classic books, including 'The Handmaid's Tale' and 'To Kill a Mockingbird', in 2025.
- The lifestyle of many Americans has been criticized for ignoring important issues, as is evident by the banning of books that challenge societal norms.
- Despite the controversy surrounding the banned books, they are considered essential reading in the field of education and self-development, provoking thought and encouraging questions.
- The fashion-and-beauty and entertainment industries have remained relatively unaffected by the book bans, with the exception of movies and TV shows based on banned books, such as 'The Handmaid's Tale' series.
- The travel industry may experience a decline in tourism as people become more aware of the book bans in the USA, particularly in states known for banning books, such as Florida and Iowa.
- The food-and-drink industry has not directly been affected by the book bans, but some restaurants and cafes may choose to support banned authors or use book-themed menus to show solidarity.
- Social-media platforms have been a hub for discussion and protest against the book bans, with hashtags like # FreetheBooks and # BannedBooks starting social-media trends.
- The power struggles and censorship in the USA have led to an alarming rise in the number of banned books on war-and-conflicts, politics, pop-culture, crime-and-justice, general-news, and sci-fi-and-fantasy, painting a worrisome picture for freedom of speech.
- The impact of the book bans on sports and weather reports remains unclear, but with the growing focus on censorship and restrictions, it's possible that even sports and weather news might face scrutiny in the future.
