Library Topic Guides: Banned Books Week: Music, Movies, and Programming

Books are not the only things censored ...

Dee Snider Speaks Out Against Censorship at PMRC Hearing

by Banger Films

3 minutes

How Twisted Sister Outclassed Congress

by Weird History

11 minutes

From the beginning of motion pictures (around 1894), the United States government censored films until the 1950s and 1960s when court rulings limited nationwide censorship. States still regulated films unti the 1980s. In 1968, voluntary ratings (G, PG, etc) were instituted by the MPAA.

Film Censorship in the United States - a wikipedia article

A Brief History of Film Censorship - includes a timeline; by the National Coalition Against Censorship

For more information about the ratings system, watch the following:

History of Hollywood Censorship and the Ratings System

by Filmmaker IQ

15 minutes (video qued up to start at 35 seconds in)

Drag Queen Story Time ...

This type of programming in public libraries has made the news. Should drag queens be reading to children? Some parents and community members say no. Others don't see the harm. Read the articles below. What do you think?

A Brief History of Drag Queen Story Hour

Wikipedia Article

How drag queen story hour became a battle over gender, sexuality, and kids

Don't Ask, Don't Tell by Aaron Belkin (Editor)
Call Number: UB418.G38 D65 2003
ISBN: 1588261212
Publication Date: 2003
Examines multiple viewpoints concerning the ongoing policy debate about allowing gays to serve in the military.
The Language Police by Diane Ravitch
Call Number: LB3045.7 .R38 2004
ISBN: 1400030641
Publication Date: 2004
Textbook publishers and state education agencies have sought to root out racist, sexist, and elitist language in classroom and library materials. What began with the best of intentions has veered toward bizarre extremes. At a time when we celebrate and encourage diversity, young readers are fed bowdlerized texts, devoid of the references that give these works their meaning and vitality. With forceful arguments and sensible solutions for rescuing American education from the pressure groups that have made classrooms bland and uninspiring, The Language Police offers a powerful corrective to a cultural scandal.
Monitoring the Movies by Jennifer Fronc
Call Number: PN1995.62 .F76 2017
ISBN: 9781477313794
Publication Date: 2017
Ultimately, Monitoring the Movies shows how Americans grappled with the issues that arose alongside the powerful new medium of film: the extent of the right to produce and consume images and the proper scope of government control over what citizens can see and show.
Obscene, Indecent, Immoral and Offensive by Stephen Tropiano
Call Number: PN1995.62 .T76 2009
ISBN: 9780879103590
Publication Date: 2009
This insightful volume is devoted to the films that have earned a special place in motion picture history by pushing the 'cinematic envelope' with their treatment of provocative subjects and themes.
Religious Clothing in Public Spaces by Pete Schauer (Editor)
Call Number: BL65.C64 R45 2019
ISBN: 9781534503526
Publication Date: 2018
The diverse viewpoints in this resource address topics such as how tolerance for the wearing of religious clothing differs around the world and whether or not religious clothing should be allowed in public schools. Readers will decide for themselves whether this is an issue of freedom of expression and religion or if it should be viewed as a threat.
The Revival of Banned Dances by Reneé Critcher Lyons
Call Number: GV1617 .L96 2012
ISBN: 9780786465941
Publication Date: 2012
This work provides an exploration of dances banned around the world. The sixteen case studies reveal the meaning of the dance to each culture and the importance of the art form to the creation of healthy sociological and political climates.
Should Music Lyrics Be Censored for Violence and Exploitation? by Roman Espejo (Editor)
Call Number: ML3531 .S56 2008
ISBN: 9780737740646
Publication Date: 2008
Speaking Up by Anne Proffitt Dupre
Call Number: KF4124.5 .D87 2009
ISBN: 9780674031142
Publication Date: 2009
Describes court cases that have involved the balance between freedom of speech in schools and the need for discipline, discussing such issues as political protests, book banning, prayer, and freedom of speech for teachers.

Monday	8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Tuesday	8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Wednesday	8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Thursday	8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Friday	8:00 am - 1:00 pm
Saturday	Closed
Sunday	Closed