This is Freedom to Read week.
The right to read without censorship is an important one. Even more important is the right of the author to delve into subjects that others may find uncomfortable. If we all only write about things everyone feels comfortable about, what would be the point of reading?
A few years ago, I received hate mail and death threats for writing about Soviet atrocities against Ukrainians during the Stalin era. The Canadian Freedom to Read Week committee awarded me a “laurel” for my perseverence in 2003:
http://www.freedomtoread.ca/freedom_to_read_week/darts_and_laurels_2003.asp
This year, a fellow author is being targetted with censorship. Deborah Ellis, whose book Three Wishes, was nominated for the 2006 Silver Birch Award, has had her book withdrawn from the York school board:
http://www.cbc.ca/story/arts/national/2006/02/28/silver-birch.html
If any author can handle a delicate topic even-handedly, it is Deborah Ellis.
On a brighter note, Turkey has dropped charges against Orhan Pamuk, the prize-winning Turkish author who publicly acknowledged the Armenian Genocide:
http://www.zeenews.com/znnew/articles.asp?aid=270808&ssid=43&sid=ENT
Marsha,
That is _completely_ aggravating re Three Wishes being yanked.
And I am glad Turkey has dropped charges against Orhan Pamuk. What is wrong with *telling the truth* and teaching actual history?!
These are issues that aggravate me too. There is so much buried history out there. How are we to learn from mistakes made through history if the history is buried through censorship or denial? Never mind the stories of heroship and perseverance and humanity that inevitably are brought to the surface when this history _does_ find the light of day.
I’m aggravated right with you.
–Rose
Hi Rose,
It is very aggravating. And think of how many people just give up when no one listens to them?
Hi Marsha,
Well, it’s very sad. I think that’s why I am drawn to these stories.
–Rose
Glad to hear about the charges being dropped against Orhan Parnuk, but it’s too bad that censorship is also alive and well in our own country. There are days when I get discouraged that we’ll never learn…but I’m encouraged when I remember there are still authors like you and Deborah Ellis who are working hard to keeps these stories alive.
Thanks you for your courage and your determination to be heard.
Julie
Hi Julie,
It can be discouraging, that’s for sure! However, I have noticed that most of the news items about this issue are firmly on Deborah’s side, so that is wonderful. It shows how sometimes censorship can backfire.