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Censorship

Censorship is the suppression of words, images, or ideas that are deemed “harmful” by those attempting to impose their personal, political, religious, or moral values on others. Censorship can be carried out by governments as well as by private pressure groups and organizations.

Blog January 2, 2023

EDI Is Not an Excuse For Censorship

Can we fight racism without chilling expression? The answer must be a resounding yes, but how can we ensure that schools and educators understand their responsibilities to protect their students from censorship and from discrimination both at once? It isn’t easy and it can’t be done in one lesson or even in one course. However, when we avoid discussing race and racism or other forms of oppression out of fear that we are going to be using or permitting the wrong language, or that our motivations will be misunderstood, we become part of the problem.
BPC Bulletin December 30, 2022

BPC Bulletin: Quebec's Health Department Denounces Book for Teens, Part 1

In a three-page memo sent to all of Quebec’s regional public health directors on December 16, Assistant Health and Social Services Minister Marie-Ève Bédard warns against any promotion, mention or school activities dealing with the young adult horror/supernatural novel Le garçon les pieds à l’envers (“The Boy with Inverted Feet”), posthumously published in October by popular Quebec author François Blais, a Governor General award-winner who committed suicide last May.
BPC Bulletin December 9, 2022

BPC Bulletin: A Parent Takes Part in a Library Audit at His Child's School

In Toronto, the principal of a public elementary school recently invited parents to participate in a “library audit.” Parents were given a copy of the Toronto District School Board’s Equity Toolkit, and they were told to evaluate library books according to a checklist. Ira Wells, an assistant professor of literature at the University of Toronto, took part in the audit.
BPC Bulletin December 9, 2022

BPC Bulletin: A New History of the Index of Prohibited Books

A new history of Roman Catholic censorship is on the market. The Index of Prohibited Books: Four Centuries of Struggle over Word and Image for the Greater Glory of God appeared this year. Robin Vose, the book’s author, teaches at St. Thomas University in Fredericton, New Brunswick. St. Thomas University provides a news story: