Nassau News

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Censorship is a major problem in Nassau County public schools and libraries, according to the Nassau chapter of the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU). That is why, executive director Tara Keenan-Thomson says it is necessary to present a traveling exhibit about censorship and its consequences, to public libraries in the County.

Danielle Hindieh, graduate of C.W. Post, began a chapter of the NYCLU on campus a few years ago. Her experiences were “enlightening” as a college student and she is proud of her accomplishments. She said that the school administration was very conservative and seemed against the idea of beginning this organization on campus. However, widespread campus involvement in signing petitions changed the school administration’s mind.

Alex Erlich, graduate of Locust Valley High School and current Hofstra University junior, recalls how in high school he was unable to “to search for any images [online] at all for fear that we would search for pornographic things.” This was shocking to Erlich and his high school colleagues, despite their signatures on an Acceptable Use Policy for the internet that many schools have adopted.

Thomson, and the NYCLU, want to “let people know that censorship is alive and well…we need to beware of all the different kinds on censorship [that there is] because a lot of people don’t realize censorship is happening in the schools and in the libraries.” She did offer some empathy to teachers, since Thomson is a former instructor, saying that “often times librarians don’t realize it or teachers don’t realize that they are censoring when they are…they don’t realize the impact that might have on the students education and the public’s education.” She adds that, “we want people to just be aware that this is alive and well and we need to guard against it.”

Throughout the month of April, the censorship exhibit will be at the Locust Valley Library. When asked about their censorship practices, the Library offered no comment. Later in the summer, the exhibit will continue all throughout Long Island’s public libraries. Thomson explained that public schools did not have enough space to devote to this exhibit, which is why they are not hosting it.

Overall, censorship is an issue that is still highly controversial. According to the American Library Association, there are still books that are being banned around the country. The list of books includes, “Harry Potter” by JK Rowling, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” by Maya Angelou, and “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” by Mark Twain. Citizens are not able to enjoy the books that they’re entitled to by their first amendment rights.

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Related Links

• Read an article about the Nassau County chapter of the NYCLU.
  
• For more information of banned and challenged books, click here.
• For more information and the locations of the censorship exhibit, click here.
  
• Nassau County NYCLU on MySpace
  
• Locust Valley High School library, click here.