Banned Books and Censorship?
         In the article "Look Out Harry Potter-- Book Banning Heats Up", Dianne Weaver Dunne (the deputy editor of Education World) the topic of book banning is discussed. The article begins by talking about the Harry Potter series of books. It brings to light the views of those who oppose the series as being anti-religion, and why it could possibly be seen this way. The article also shows the other argument: that the books are simply fantasy and have no anti-religious context. Dunne then moves on to talk about censorship in schools and how appropriate it is for teachers or librarians to decide what books are removed. The article touches on the rights of parents to opt their children out of reading an objectionable book. Lastly, Dunne talks about the challenges of banning any sort of media for many different reasons. Dunne uses credible citations in her arguments, with many of her quotes and supports coming from other authors as well as the National Coalition Against Censorship. With a graduate degree in communications and  several jobs under her belt, she utilizes many resources and has a fair sense of credibility to her writings. 

         In her article, Dunne pushes the idea that the Harry Potter series is nothing more than fantasy. She suggests that the book has no anti-religious views as many people seem to think. Dunne uses the ideas of a Christian author, Berit Kjos, to support the argument that the book series supports the love for witchcraft as opposed to the biblical God. This helps Dunne's case in the sense that she is acknowledging the other side's argument with the views of an author with conviction of this idea. However, Dunne moves on to support the other argument that Harry Potter shouldn't be banned out of fear and ignorance, in the words of Wiccan Priestess Tamara Forslun. Forslun supports Dunne's idea saying that "These are children's books, and as long as they are not nasty, cruel, ridiculous in any way or show witches as evil, obscene creatures, then there is no cause for mudslinging or legal retaliation."This shows a great amount of support for Dunne's argument, in the sense that she has shown the views of both sides of the argument, while still making her own views on the subject known. 

            Dunne also discusses the self-censoring of teachers and librarians in schools. She asserts that teachers and librarians take it upon themselves to remove their opinion of objectionable books and media from schools. She uses the specific case of a superintendent in Michigan restricting the use of Harry Potter books.  She supports the argument with the views of a field representative from National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE), Charles Suhor. Dunne then goes on to discuss the different medias that are under controversy and how censorship and the banning of books is a widespread dilemma. She uses the views of several of the authors from earlier in the article to support her claim. She uses specific items of media to support their views along with her own.

            Dunne’s article is about the banning of Harry Potter books, but also about the widespread censorship happening with all aspects of the media. She uses claims of other authors to support her views, and can cite specific incidences of censorship to make her argument strong. She is clearly well researched on her topic, and made a rather convincing argument.

Sources:
Look Out Harry Potter-- Book Banning Heats Up
Author Info