Censorship

While reading Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress,  I noticed that the Communist belief system in China at the time placed a big emphasis on banning certain books that were influenced by Western society. I understand how the motive of this is to get people to cooperate with what is being enforced by only teaching them one thing, however, I do not agree with this ideology. Without reading different perspectives and topics within literature, it is easy to be close-minded. Taking away specific forms of literature in society is an act of stopping people from becoming globally aware. In Balzac, I could relate to the narrator's curiosity about other forms of literature outside of the Communist restrictions. That being said, I was shocked when I saw that the Bible was being challenged as a banned book. People should be able to practice their religion freely and in banning this type of literature, it is an act of discrimination upon a certain group of people within society. I also believe that banning certain types of books creates negative views on the beliefs that the books represent As I touch the coarse cover of a new book, I am overwhelmed with the crave to gain knowledge. I think that everyone should be able to experience this sensation and read whatever they please.