Turning Points for Free Expression

In Chapter 6 of The Idea of a Free Press, Copeland writes about "turning points" in the American search for free expression. One of those turning points was the now-famous trial of John Peter Zenger, a case I introduced to you a couple of weeks ago. But the Zenger case was not the only "turning point" in the rise of American free expression, as Copeland makes clear. 

Questions: Based on your reading of Chapter 6, identify and discuss at least one significant event or development (not including the Zenger case) that represents a turning point in America's struggle for free expression. Why was this event or development important? What significance did it have? Who was involved? 

Write a substantive paragraph in the comments section below that addresses these questions. Happy reading. 

chapter 5

Because of the limited control and strick government policies many people from British colonies migrated and settled in America for an equal oppertunity in life and for freedom of speech and press. Many settlers migrated to establish there own printing industries. The government had lots of control over all published printing companies and all press releases. Eventually has time progressed freedom of speech became more open in America and now we have all types of ways expressing ourselves through newspapers, tv's, and extremely through internet, so we can say freedom of speech has came a long way but still is monitor by government policies.

American Origins: Print Culture and Its Obstacles in the Colonies

In Chapter Five of his book The Idea of a Free Press, David Copeland writes about the rise of printing and print culture in the American colonies. The first printing press arrived in North America in 1638, he notes, and over time, the printed word became vital to the lives of the colonists. But the rise of print culture in America was not quick nor easy. As Copeland points out, there were many obstacles to the spread of printing in the colonies and it took some years before books, pamphlets, broadsides, newsletters, and newspapers became widespread in the colonies.

Questions: Why did printing and print culture take so long to become established in the colonies? What general and specific obstacles hindered the rise of printing? For this posting, identify and discuss at least two obstacles to print culture in America, including one obstacle that is different from the English experience. 

As always, be specific. Cite particular passages (with page numbers) from the text. Also, don't forget to sign your name in your post. 

Up Next: Thinking about Banned Books

Every year since 1982, the American Library Association (ALA) has sponsored Banned Books Week, an event that highlights the freedom to read. According to the ALA, Banned Books Week is the only national celebration of the freedom to read, a freedom that is easily overlooked and often taken for granted.

For the TU Free Expression class this year, I want students to consider the freedom to read and the notion of banned books. It turns out than most books aren't "banned" at all. Instead, they are "challenged" for a variety of reasons. Not surprisingly, a lot of books are challenged because of sex, violence and language. Other books are challenged because they are offensive to various religious, racial or ethnic groups. 

Whatever the case, there is a growing list of challenged books. The ALA reports that more than a thousand books have been challenged since 1982, including more than 400 in 2007 alone. The books challenged over the years include a number of literary classics such as Leaves of Grass, Madame Bovary, The Great Gatsby, 1984, Brave New World, The Diary of Ann Frank, The Color Purple and many, many more. More recently, many children's books have been challenged by parents who object to the ideas, themes or language in some children's literature. Many of these books are challenged because of their positive messages about homosexuality. 

Questions: All of this raises a number of thorny questions. What does the freedom to read really mean in the U.S.? How does it apply to public libraries? How does it apply to public schools? If it doesn't apply to minors, at what age should minors be able to exercise their freedom to read? When does the freedom to read interfere with the parents' right to control what their children read? Should religious, racial or ethnic groups be highly offended by negative depictions in books?

In celebration of Banned Books Week, I am asking each student to find and read some portion of a banned book. Once they have studied the book, I want each student to respond to it in the "Comments" section of this blog. Address the following questions: What was so objectionable about the book?  How did the author treat this material? Is there a justification for challenging the book for adults? For older children? For younger children? Why or why not? 

Head to the library and find a banned book. Happy reading.