The problem in our country isn’t with books being banned, but with people no longer reading. You don’t have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.
The problem in our country isn’t with books being banned, but with people no longer reading. You don’t have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.
RAY BRADBURY
Cultures of control abhor the prospect of free thought. The necessity to dominate the mindset of a population is the very top priority of a society whose dictatorial, authoritarian regime must ascribe.
In writing Fahrenheit 451, in 1953, Ray Bradbury created a dystopian vision of a future America in which all books are burned by “firemen.” While potentially shocking to some, it was really just a recap of older chapters in history such as the Bonfire of the Vanities in Florence, in which supporters of the Dominican friar Girolamo Savonarola collected and burned thousands of objects such as cosmetics, art, and books in the public square of Florence, Italy. The focus of this destruction was on objects that might tempt one to sin, including vanity items such as mirrors, cosmetics, fine dresses, playing cards, and musical instruments. Other targets included books which Savonarola deemed immoral, manuscripts of secular songs, and artworks, including paintings and sculpture.
In all cases, fictional or real, the need to extinguish free thought remains the topic of concern. If a dominant society is imposing their will upon the people, rather than enabling a true democracy in which the people are able to create a safe haven to disagree publicly and debate the alternate options until such time as one of those options are adopted by a majority, then any outspoken opposition to that dominant society must be silenced, lest it create discontent among the masses.
Dominant societies grow comfortable, and in doing so, are much more willing to overlook those in the world who do not have the means to survive. This is currently, and has always been the case with Homo sapiens. Ask any Neanderthal, (if one were still alive to ask), and they would most certainly agree.
I think freedom of speech is one of the most compelling of topics because I am so continuously divided between my belief in the freedom, and my fear of those who speak in dialogues that directly threaten me and everyone I love and care for.
We are most certainly bringing this issue to a boiling point (again) in this country as we struggle to maintain a truly representational government of the people, by the people and for the people.
As more and more distraction layers are spun out of those who wish for all of this to subside so that they may continue to dominate their positions in the current world order, we would all be wise to watch what is allowed to be spoken, read or shared and that which is banned, and try our very best to understand who is banning a topic or person or book, and why they are motivated to do so.
Happy Monday
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