Freedom to read

Encouraging intellectual freedom

Jeanne Fronda Staff

It’s easy to think that the books at the public library will always be at our fingertips, as the smooth, leather-bound volumes and creased paperbacks seem like they’re overflowing from the shelves. But people are constantly trying to exclude or censor material for a variety of reasons, such as fear that some new, imaginative ideas are going to somehow harm children. Some of the best-loved books have sparked controversy, such as Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale and Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird.

If one looks at the origin of the word “censor,” it’s clear that the intent behind it was at one point considered righteous. The word has Indo-European roots and stems from the Latin censor, which is related to the Roman word censere, meaning “to assess.” So in earlier times, the notion of censorship originated as a lawful device to control or manage the political and moral actions or beliefs of society; thus, the idea of suppressing information was considered a civil duty or a way to rule the population.

But now, restricting information can be considered a violation of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. According to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights’ article 19, “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes the freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.”

But even in Canada, a country that is considered “free,” books are constantly under challenge for their content. There are so many books being challenged all over the world that the American Library Association has compiled a file of the 100 books most frequently challenged between 1990 and 2000.

But concerned book-lovers and free speech defenders have the opportunity to highlight concerns about intellectual or artistic liberty. The 22nd annual Freedom to Read week, which runs from Feb. 26 to March 4, is one way people can bring awareness to book censorship or banning.

For its effort to encourage the right to intellectual freedom, the U of M is hosting the third annual Freedom to Read Marathon, a full 24 hours during which volunteers can read aloud excerpts from some of their favourite books. The marathon is divided into 10-minute reading intervals, so that any one can take the time to mark the importance of the freedom to read. So forget the notion of having to curl up with a good book all by your lonesome, as hundreds around the country and many in the city will be reminding others about the right to intellectual freedom and expression.

The 24-hour Freedom to Read Marathon runs from Thursday, March 2 at 10 a.m. to Friday, March 3 at 10 a.m. in the Fireside Lounge, located on the main floor across from Tim Horton’s in University Centre.





Volume 93 • Issue 23	The Official University of Manitoba Students' Newspaper Website	March 1, 2006

Home About Us Advertise Contact Staff Current Issue PDF Employment Letters to the Editor Meet the Staff Online Archives Personals Volunteer	Font Size Respond Email Print-Friendly Freedom to read Encouraging intellectual freedom Jeanne Fronda Staff It’s easy to think that the books at the public library will always be at our fingertips, as the smooth, leather-bound volumes and creased paperbacks seem like they’re overflowing from the shelves. But people are constantly trying to exclude or censor material for a variety of reasons, such as fear that some new, imaginative ideas are going to somehow harm children. Some of the best-loved books have sparked controversy, such as Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale and Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird. If one looks at the origin of the word “censor,” it’s clear that the intent behind it was at one point considered righteous. The word has Indo-European roots and stems from the Latin censor, which is related to the Roman word censere, meaning “to assess.” So in earlier times, the notion of censorship originated as a lawful device to control or manage the political and moral actions or beliefs of society; thus, the idea of suppressing information was considered a civil duty or a way to rule the population. But now, restricting information can be considered a violation of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. According to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights’ article 19, “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes the freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.” But even in Canada, a country that is considered “free,” books are constantly under challenge for their content. There are so many books being challenged all over the world that the American Library Association has compiled a file of the 100 books most frequently challenged between 1990 and 2000. But concerned book-lovers and free speech defenders have the opportunity to highlight concerns about intellectual or artistic liberty. The 22nd annual Freedom to Read week, which runs from Feb. 26 to March 4, is one way people can bring awareness to book censorship or banning. For its effort to encourage the right to intellectual freedom, the U of M is hosting the third annual Freedom to Read Marathon, a full 24 hours during which volunteers can read aloud excerpts from some of their favourite books. The marathon is divided into 10-minute reading intervals, so that any one can take the time to mark the importance of the freedom to read. So forget the notion of having to curl up with a good book all by your lonesome, as hundreds around the country and many in the city will be reminding others about the right to intellectual freedom and expression. The 24-hour Freedom to Read Marathon runs from Thursday, March 2 at 10 a.m. to Friday, March 3 at 10 a.m. in the Fireside Lounge, located on the main floor across from Tim Horton’s in University Centre.


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