Credits to Yameen @yameenhssn

451° Fahrenheit, the temperature at which paper auto ignites, and the name given to the 1953 dystopian novel in which books are burned in an attempt to stifle freedom of thought. A fitting metaphor for book censorship, encapsulating the theme surrounding the Banned Books Week (27th September to 3rd October 2020). Founded in 1982, Banned Books Week is celebrated annually in the last week of September. The event aims to spark conversations about the freedom to read. Books, be it fictional or factual, their contents can hold so much weight, entertainment, wisdom and knowledge. They help stimulate the imagination and promote empathy through their stories. Yet, so often, books are challenged or outright banned because their contents ruffled the feathers of a certain group or ideal. A belittling of intellectual freedom and an insult to the intelligence of the people the books are restricted from. 

Common reasons for censorship include, sexual explicity, racism, age inappropriateness, blasphemy, violence, and politics. In terms of politics, one of the most well-known instances of censorship was the banning of George Orwell's Animal Farm in Soviet Russia. This was because the satirical story mocked Stalin's political ideologies and his authoritative-communist regime. Interestingly, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR)'s opponent in the Cold War, the United States, actually promoted the book. The CIA put in effort and money into distribution of the book and made it an integral part of the American education system which has lasted to this very day. 

Credits to Darlyn

Adolf Hitler’s Mein Kampf is a curious book in terms of censorship. Even some strong proponents of freedom of expression tend to make an exception for such books. Especially in Germany, with the horrible shadow cast by Nazism, the country banned publishing of the book for 70 years after Hitler's death. Some, including many in Jewish communities believe that the re-legalisation of the book's publishing can distress survivors of the holocaust and incite ultra-nationalism. They fear that it might feed the fires of anti-semetism that still persist in Germany. Contrary to this sentiment, some argue that banning the book does little to thwart those dangerous remnants of Nazism, especially today in which anyone with an internet access can easily acquire the full text online, regardless of a ban. Furthermore, the book can give a good look into the psyche of the persuasive dictator at the forefront of WWII. It is considered an important historical text, no matter how regressive or false the proposals and ideas within it are. It is important to lay bare even the most unpleasant of books so that they may be dissected and denounced. 

In religious and conservative cultures, censorship tends to be significantly more extreme, frequently targeting LGBTQ+ subject matter. A notable book named And Tango Makes Three was one of the most challenged books in America in the late 2000s. The opposers of the book claimed that it "promoted the homosexual agenda". In truth, the book tells the true tale of two male penguins raising a chick in an American zoo. This ridiculous case sheds light on the extent of homophobia at the time in the country. The most infamous case of book censorship in modern history, too, stems from religious reasons. This was the controversy around The Satanic Verses. The fictional book stirred the sentiments of the Islamic world and is considered blasphemous by many Muslims, leading to country wide bans, protests and even deaths. The controversy was so extreme that the author, Rushdie Salman had to go into hiding for decades after he had a death sentence placed on him by Iran’s then spiritual leader. 

Credits to Darlyn

The international Covenant on Civil & Political Rights (ICCPR) is one of the many forces against censorship, books or otherwise. This treaty obligates its ratified countries to uphold basic human rights including, of course, freedom of expression. Malaysia is exempt from this treaty bound obligation as out of the 172 countries that have signed it, Malaysia is not one of them. This gives the country more leeway in matters such as censorship. In fact, criteria for censorship in Malaysia is as loose and ambiguous as "any media that may alarm public opinion or is prejudicial to public/national interest" amongst other things. This has allowed the Internal Security Ministry to ban many books over the years, often ones that challenge Islamic beliefs, overwhelmingly favouring civil harmony over freedom of expression. 

When it comes to books catered toward children, guidance in what to read is sensible to avoid unnecessary distress, especially with books whose complexity may be subject to misinterpretation. However, some books have been challenged for much more conservative reasons. Harry Potter was challenged for 'witchcraft', Hunger Games for violence and Alice in Wonderland for alluding to drug use. More troubling cases of selective children's book censorship include LGBTQ+ and race related books. LGBTQ+ books can provide comfort to children struggling with their identity and help others understand and empathise with those different than themselves. In terms of race, people attempted to rewrite children’s books touching on American slavery to lessen its true severity and prejudice, essentially rewriting history. Exposure to diverse books is important for emotional and social development as well as a proper understanding of history and its implications today. 

With the present liberal climate, book censorship is much less severe than it used to be. Long gone are the days of mass book burnings such as that in the Qin dynasty or the Library of Alexandria. Today, the main battlefield of censorship is online. A front generally more favourable toward those opposing censorship. While misinformation which can cause consequences in the present are important to be censored, restriction of ideas and books are considered primitive. Counterproductive at that too, as more often than not, challenging or banning of books lead to more publicity and curiosity for that certain book. Progress in freedom of expression has come a long way, though in many parts of the world, it has yet, a long way to go.