Argument Essay- 1st draft

For my inquiry book I read “The Contender” by Robert Lipstye. After finishing this book I came to the conclusion that this book shouldn’t be banned because of its positive message to never give up and to never let anyone define you nor bring you down. Alfred is a high school dropout, who works in a grocery store, and lives with his aunt. Throughout the book Alfred learns how to become a stronger person, a man, a contender. “- It’s the climbing that makes the man. Getting to the top is an extra award” (TC p35). This part of the speech that Mr.Donatelli gives Alfred encourages him to fight for what he wants, and to make something of himself. This shows that fighting for what you want will make you a stronger person but accomplishing it is like a gift in return for the hard work. “You coming? Alfred shook his head- you coming James or you gonna be a slave too?” (TC p7). In this part of the text Alfred refuses to join Major and the guys to break into a store; even when his best friend is going too. This shows to not give into peer pressure, even if your friends are part of what ever bad thing they’re going to do. “Why you wanna do all this? Because I know I can. And you’re my partner. Ready?” (TC p.226). In this part of the text James (Alfred’s best friend) gets in deep trouble with the cops and Alfred is there to the rescue. The way Alfred is treating James and helping him out compared to how James has been treating him shows that friendship is important and that no matter what you need to be there for each other through thick and thin. However, my question is… why would people want to ban a book with so many great lessons for young readers? Throughout the books there is violence, racism and drug/alcohol use. For example, “You just a slave. You was born a slave. You gonna die a slave” (TC p.5). To others referring to blacks as slaves is offensive and encourages the audience to use such foul and racist language to others. “-four of them were in a tight pile of swinging arms and legs, kicking, cuffing, punching “(p.16). This may give the younger readers that violence us okay and might use it on others. “The red bulb burned out, and it was pitch-dark in the clubroom. Wine bottles kept coming around, and the cigarettes” (p.18). This part of the text might also encourage the young readers to drink and take drugs and smoke cigarettes. According to “Darkness to Visible” book banners say “It has to do with the child’s happiness and tenderness of heart” meaning that books read by young audiences should make them feel comfortable and that the content of the book should be on the right level of maturity for the reader. Book banners also said “Let’s hope publishers do have young people’s interest at heart- and they are not selling books by sensationalizing children’s suffering” according to “Sick-Lit”. But non book banners have a much different and bigger opinion. “The argument in favor of such novels is that they validate the teen experience, giving the tortured adolescents who would otherwise be voiceless” (DTV p.2). Books like these can give young readers a sense of controversial topics as a teen like being a high school dropout and giving into peer pressure and can relate to others in the same situation. Books like these can also show the young readers what to do and what not to do by learning from the characters mistakes. Banning books because of strong language, graphic details and maturity takes away the meaning of the book. Books like these are pointed to young readers so they can learn and have a sense of the sensitive topics to teens today. “I don’t want to compromise how kids talk. I don’t want to acknowledge those f-ing gate keepers” said by an editor responding to “Darkness to Visible”. She meant that people who think it’s appropriate to guide what young people read is wrong and inappropriate. We all have a right to freedom of expression and there’s no law saying kids can’t read what they want without others permission. Books are meant to explain things differently instead of just reading it in a daily paper or a magazine. Books are to help you understand and learn about these sensitive controversial topics today. If others can’t handle a book, how do you think it’s like in real life?