CensorshipTaking the *** out of ***** since ****.

First Amendment

•Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

What is censorship?

•The process of removing parts of books, movies, letters, etc. that are considered inappropriate for moral, religious, or political reasons.

•Does this violate the First Amendment?

How this relates to Fahrenheit 451• Censorship is a key theme

in the book.• In the world of Fahrenheit

451 books are burned because they trigger thought and discontent, two things that are unwelcomed in this “happy oriented society”.

• Is this still seen today?

Music• Many songs are edited

that play on the radio.• How does it make you feel

that songs are edited? Explain why you feel that way.

• Should we continue to edit music? Why or why not?

Music Censorship Through the Years• 1958: The Mutual Broadcasting System drops ALL

rock and roll records from its network music programs, calling it “distorted, monotonous, noisy music”.

• 1966: The Beatles’ album Yesterday and Today was pulled due to its album featuring a “butcher” photo.

• 2001: Clear Channel Communications (largest owner of radio stations in U.S.) releases a list of more than 150 “lyrically questionable” songs that the stations may want to pull.

• 2002: Wal-Mart banned the sale of The Eminem Show.

Film• Theatre’s were bombed,

and massive protests were held when The Last Temptation of Christ (1988) was released.

• Is this a film that should be banned?

• What argument would you make to defend your position?

Books• Numerous books have

been challenged and banned in the United States:

• A challenge is an attempt to remove or restrict materials, based upon the objections of a person or group.

• A banning is the removal of those materials.

Books that have been challenged or banned in the U.S.

Journal Activity

What is one book that would cause you to cry if I were to burn it in front of you? Why?

What makes that book so powerful to you?

What would you do if that book were banned from society?