Monday, May 21, 2012

Fifty Shades of Censorship

I despise censorship. And I am especially bothered by libraries that do it because they are supposed to be the go-to source for books - lots and lots of books. Why did they do it? Because the blockbuster erotica Fifty Shades of Grey was too racy for a few folks? Oh, yeah. They don't carry erotica. Why the hell not? Loads of people want to read it.

At first I thought it was only my home state of Florida, which tends to be inconsistently idiotic! But the trend is spreading across the country. What will be next? Thing is, I don't understand what all the fuss is about. This book is about two consenting adults doing what they want in privacy.

Sure, we writers tend to have a pretty liberal view of censorship but after speaking to some of my non-writer friends who have read the book, I realized it's not just writers who find this ridiculous. One lady told me she didn't think the book was much racier than the old Harold Robbins books she used to read.

But what can we do about it? Speak up. I wrote my local library a letter telling them I wanted access to books like Fifty Shades. I haven't heard back yet, but it was important to me to let them know my feelings. I'm only one person but if others do the same, maybe they will listen.


9 comments:

Jax Cassidy said...

I agree! I hate censorship. All they need to do is put a warning note in their system so minors can't check the books out but to ban the books is absurd. They carry books that are far more damaging and it's amazing they aren't doing anything about those things. Pretty soon they'll ban most romances for their explicit content. :(

Sharon Hamilton said...

I agree with you. But some of the YouTube parodies on Fifty Shades are absolutely side splitting. I guess we should be able to enjoy or laugh at anything.

I hate it when the thought police get out there and tell me what I "need to do/think." That goes in all directions, too.

Thanks for bringing it up. I enjoyed all 3 books, myself.

Wynter said...

Let's hope not, Jax! I agree - so much of what's out there is way more damaging.

Thanks Sharon. I'll have to check out the parodies.

Naima Simone said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Naima Simone said...

Wynter, include Alabama in the idiotic category! I believe at the ripe old age of thirty-something I can determine what I can and cannot read for myself! Last time I checked I didn't need help deciding thatN. It's hypocritical considering the same people deciding what is too racey are the same people with boxes of porn in their closet and under their bed!

Wynter said...

So true, Naima!

Casey Crow said...

I'm with Jax. Put a label on the book! I think the Fifty Shades phenomenon is helping us all.

Callie Croix said...

Wow, if Fifty Shades' going mainstream doesn't help open up libraries to erotic romance, then what will?

Dalton Diaz said...

Bet it would be the number one book checked out for an entire year!