Who Will the Children Turn To – Thoughts on Censorship and The House on Mango Street
The House on Mango Street is a novel by Mexican-American author Sandra Cisneros. Based on her own life, it narrates the story of Esperanza Cordero, a Chicana girl growing up in a poor community in Chicago. There are many life lessons within this novel, showing themes such as social class, race, sexuality, identity, and gender. It shows the realities of many other people who have experienced similar things. Many schools have banned this book because of topics such as domestic violence, racism, and sexual harassment. Censoring and withholding stories that speak directly about scenarios like this can be very harmful, as it promotes the silencing of rape and abuse victims. In 2010, the Tucson Unified School District targeted the award winning Mexican-American Studies Program, which led to Arizona legislators approving S.B. 2281, which outlawed classes or courses that:
“(1) promote the overthrow of the United States government; (2) promote resentment toward a race or class of people; (3) are designed primarily for pupils of a particular ethnic group or (4) advocate ethnic solidarity instead of the treatment of pupils as individuals.”
This led to TUSD dismantling the Mexican-American Studies Program. After seven years, the case “Arce v. Douglas” had a final ruling. It was found that the ban of Mexican-American Studies was done with racial animus towards Mexicans, thus unconstitutional under the first and 14th amendment. Books and novels like these shouldn’t be silenced; they tell real life stories of our world. This tells the young people in our society that they are not alone, no matter what situation they are in. If these books are banned and adults have failed the children, who will the children turn to?
Brody Mascarenas • Apr 4, 2022 at 11:05
I love this article. As a hispanic, i feel much of our history and our stories have been silenced in American schools. Fact is, a lot of stories have been silenced in schools for the reason that it gives power to the unheard. The idea that schools can only teach stories that promote this country and it’s flaws is harmful. Children need to hear and be taught these stories because of the reality of this world. Racism and ignorance are still around because these stories are never taught to children. These children need to hear their stories no matter how deep the subject matter is. the beauty of art is what it can teach, a mexican child gains a voice and as a white child loses any ignorance that might’ve been placed.
Marshall • Apr 1, 2022 at 15:55
I completely agree with the premise that censorship as a general rule undermines a free society. Individuals in this country have a right to freely write, record, publish, read, listen to, say, or view whatever they choose. This right was, and is, important enough to be part of the first amendment to the Constitution. It’s worth noting that there are sometimes serious and painful consequences to exercising this freedom.
That said, consider that there are many levels to society. In addition to being free overall and having different de facto groups, levels, and communities, we must acknowledge that there is also a “polite society”; a set of norms deemed universally acceptable to all persons with respect to age, ethnicity, moral convictions, political leanings, etc. These norms govern what kinds of words, topics, and actions are universally acceptable in a public setting.
A public high school is a public place, in just the same way as a store or movie theater, meaning there are a blend of people from various backgrounds and situations. There is a way to talk and act in public that is appropriate and a way that is inappropriate, not only because of rules and handbook expectations, but because of the norms mentioned above. If a person uses foul language or is discussing objectionable or incendiary topics in a public setting, the norms are disrupted, people are offended, “polite society” breaks down, and communication ceases. There is no longer an educational discourse where observations, perspectives, and experiences are being shared. All that remains is an argument, and in an argument, someone wins (or feels like they do) and someone loses (or feels like they do).
If we are truly striving to be a more empathetic, accepting, and caring society, these norms need be observed so as not to offend and alienate others. If we ignore the niceties of “polite society” all we’re doing is trying (and failing) to win the argument.