In Muskogee, Oklahoma an enormous controversy has exploded over the banning of the novel “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee because of its racially sensitive issues. The book takes place in a white, segregated town, where a white lawyer defends a black man in court, despite the town’s opposition. It used to be a required rea

Many famous literacy scholars and presidents have had some ideal thoughts that support my position. For instance, Oscar Wilde stated, "An idea that is not dangerous is unworthy of being called an idea at all”, meaning that controversial writing is what makes you truly think. Alfred Whitney Griswold wrote in his book about education "Books won't stay banned. They won't burn. Ideas won't go to jail. In the long run of history, the censor and the inquisitor have always lost. The only sure weapon against bad ideas is better ideas. The source of better ideas is wisdom. The surest path to wisdom is a liberal education." Lastly, my favorite quote against banning literature for children is by former president, Lyndon B. Johnson, who said, "Books and ideas are the most effective weapons against intolerance and ignorance”.

I read this book in ninth grade and as many people feel, thought it was amazing account of life in a small Alabama town during the years of the depression. Of course, during this time in history, many racial issues arose, but I feel that the book addresses them tastefully. Many parents and educators do not agree with that and say that the book "contains profanity and racial slurs" such as “nigger”. However, as evidence proves, in no way does the book condone the usage of the word (www.alibris.com). In fact, Scout, the young girl who narrates the book, comes to her father, Atticus, and uses the “n” word in asking if he is going to defend the accused black man, Tom Robinson. Atticus tells her it is wrong for her to use that word, and then enlightens her with the even deeper issue of why he is willing to risk the d

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