Book bans leave nations in the dark;

Why and what books are challenged around the world in public schools and libraries

By Stephanie Trembath,
Life & Style Editor

s an avid reader, I often spend
Ants hours and paychecks
searching for different genres

and texts to further grow my library. My
previous four years studying English has
granted me the divine ability to speed read;
polishing off entire novels in a day and
editing essays in under an hour. One might
call it a talent or a gift; the gift I’ve received
from SFU in return for thousands of dollars
in tuition and textbook fees.

During my forage for fine literature,
I’ve found that novels on a national
banned books list are some of the most
intellectually stimulating and enjoyable
to read. There’s nothing quite like reading
material you know a government has
banned for political reasons, or a country
has tried to repress due to sexuality, racism,
or “moral” virtues. Dating back to the
Medieval Ages, blanket bans on literary
texts are issued to repress the release of
novels considered politically radical,
unorthodox, or pornographic.

Unlike many European countries,
the USA and Canada promote the spread
of intellectual properties that confront
political, sexual, moral, and religious
values; PEN Canada was formed in 1926 to
support writers who have been silenced for
their writing. PEN works to raise awareness
and defend the freedom of expression;
working to release imprisoned writers,
fight censorship, and offer professional

opportunities for all authors living in
Canada. x

The list of books with limited access
by Canadian authors as of February 2011
contains a variety of short stories and
novels for children and adults banned for
various reasons. Sherman Alexie’s novel
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time
Indian is also featured on the American
Library Associations top ten banned books
list of 2010. Our right to expression and
access to intellectual property is found in
Article 19; The Declaration of Human
Rights. Banned Books Week [BBW] takes

novels are required reads by most North
American high school students, yet still face
challenges around the world.

Much the same, satirist Aldous
Huxley’s acclaimed novel Brave New
World was banned in Ireland, 1932,
for its language and showcasing anti-
religious content. Present day, Huxley’s
novel is found on the American Library
Association’s most challenged book list,
as many North American schools do not
find Brave New World to act as a positive
literary agent. The American Library
Association [ALA] promotes library

“There’s nothing quite like reading material you know a government has
banned for political reasons, or a country has tried to repress due to
sexuality, racism, or ‘moral’ virtues.”

place from September 24 — October | in the
US to celebrate these freedoms found in our
First Amendment and features books found
on banned books lists or with limited or
challenged access throughout libraries and
schools.

Popular authors such as George Orwell
and Aldous Huxley have had their work
banned in public schools, libraries, and
prisons; mainly for political reasons, and
are usually presented during BBW. Orwell’s
Animal Farm was banned for a full year
in the 1940’s by all British publishing
houses as a result of the political content
that would offend Soviet Russia. Orwell’s’
novel /984 faced similar challenges for
its pro-communist and sexual content,
as well as its anti-Semitism. Today both

services and leadership tools for the
development of library’s and information
services to expand on accurate information
and intellectual properties for all. Found on
their website, the ALA lists all challenged
books in schools, prisons, and library’s;

in 2010 Twilight, The Hunger Games, The
Tango Makes Three, and Brave New World,
all made the top ten banned books list.

A recent work that I discovered
through a class at SFU that I thoroughly
enjoyed and would recommend prior to
any other novel as it is short and quick to
finish is Ma Jians Stick Out Your Tongue.
Through his distinct and aloof prose,

Ma Jian’s collection of short stories
showcases an oppressed Tibetan culture
in a most jarring manner; juxtaposing the

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tranquil images most
Westerners associate
with Tibet against his
own experiences. Stick
Out Your Tongue was
immediately banned
in China after its
publication in 1987,
and Jian was issued for
arrest in Hong Kong.
A few notable pieces of literature
banned in various countries that I have read
and would recommend:

 

* — Ulysses by James Joyce in 1922;
banned throughout the 1930’s and
40’s for explicit sexual content

* Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov;
banned in France, Argentina, New
Zealand, South Africa, and the
UK for “obscenity”

* The Metamorphosis by Franz
Kafka; published in 1915, was
banned during Nazi Germany in
the mid 1940’s

¢ Tropics of Cancer by Henry
Miller: banned in the United
States and seized by customs
1930-1960’s for sexuality and
vulgarity

¢ Doctor Zhivago by Boris
Pasternak: banned in the USSR
for promotion of anti-war themes
during the Russian Civil War, also
for criticism of Stalinism

 

Breakfast: Think twice before skipping the most important meal of the day

By Gurneev Kaur

ack to school means being on time
B for early morning classes, and

since students are usually in a rush,
most people tend to skip breakfast; the
most important meal of the day. Breakfast
literally means “breaking the fast” after a
good night’s sleep. Most people don’t eat
for up to twelve hours between the time
of their evening meal and breakfast on
the following day, at which point energy
levels decrease. The first meal of the day is
important as it supplies the body and brain
with the necessary nutrients after a long
nights sleep.

Eating breakfast is beneficial for both

the body and the mind in several ways:

¢ Those who eat breakfast consume
more essential nutrients which are
necessary for a healthy body and
lifestyle

¢ People who eat breakfast tend to
be slimmer than those who skip
breakfast

¢ Eating breakfast contributes
to cognitive performance as it
improves concentration

* What you choose to eat at
breakfast can affect your mood,
physical and mental performance,
weight, and your general and
long-term health

¢ Eating breakfast is particularly
important for active people who
have high energy

Researchers from the National Weight
Control Registry, a database where roughly
3000 people have lost at least 60 pounds
and kept it off for an average of six years,
found that eating breakfast is an effective
weight control strategy. Nutritional experts
have proven that those who skip breakfast
are more likely to have problems with
concentration, metabolism and weight.

While any breakfast may be better
than no breakfast, there are some foods
you might want to avoid as they are high in
sugar, saturated fats, sodium and calories.

Avoid sugary cereals, high calorie pastries,
and sausages and bacon, as they may
negatively affect your metabolism. Instead
opt for “brain foods” such as: whole grains,
granola, oats, fruits, yogurts, or toasted
brown bread. For those of you that don’t
like eating breakfast try to eat a small snack
every hour; a handful of almonds, a cereal
bar, or a fruit shake are all great options.

Key items to look for when choosing a
cereal:

Fibre

Choose cereals with at least three grams of
fibre per serving (if possible aim for five
grams per serving or more).

Sugar

Sugar doesn’t automatically make a cereal
unhealthy, but the healthiest choices have
five or less grams of sugar per serving.
Check the nutritional facts label. This lists
total grams of sugar per serving, which
includes both naturally occurring sugars
and added sugars. Some cereals contain
dried fruit, which have natural sugars that

   

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may add to the totaled amount of sugar; but
these cereals may still be a healthy choice if
consumed in moderation. Avoid cereals that
list sugar at or near the top of the ingredient
list, or that list multiple types of added
sugar, such as: high fructose corn syrup,
honey, brown sugar and dextrose.

Calories

Choose cereals lower in the calorie index,
ideally less than 120 calories per serving.
Some cereals have more calories per serving
but can still be healthy choices depending
on the nutritional content.

Overall, whether we want to or not, having
breakfast to start your day is a healthy must!

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