Important and hard to see (Score 1)

Censorship is an important issue because even at a local (physical or virtual) community level, censorship denies members of those same communities their individual rights to access published material freely and wholly. I worry that people would for any reason, good, bad or indifferent choose to limit or any sort of information available to the public. Why? Because how can we know what is missing if it is missing? How can our friends and our families learn about news, history, life, experiences of others, fiction, mathematics, philosophy - anything - if those publications are subjectively censored for content by any governing board? This is a very real threat to the development of community. Who would give up this most precious right?

I agree that the need for parents to guide their children is real and undeniable. I was lucky that my own parents handled this in a thoughtful and involved way: I began reading before I was two years old and was fairly adept not long after, although my comprehension was still forming and continues to grow with life experience. My mother often sent me to bookstores and the public library with notes saying, "I give my permission for my child to read this..." or that, or whatever the desired subject material was. So often, well-intentioned librarians and salespeople would say I needed permission from a parent to purchase a book or remove a book from the library that was deemed "too old." During my entire childhood, there was NO published material that was denied me with the exception of a particularly racist book detailing incorrect differences between Caucasion people and African American people. The book was put aside until my parents felt that I was mature enough to understand the content within.

My family chose to take an active role in my development by offering knowledge and stimulation as much as they could and seeking to foster my interests by letting me develop relationships with other mentors as well. They made themselves available for discussion every day. There was no subject or question that was considered taboo, although beware sweeping generalizations. Those were met with research assignments and deadlines. So that even as a child, I was expected to provide insights for why I would choose a decision one way or another on a basis too-quickly formed opinion. When I listen to the unsubstantiated opinions that are serving as fact to enact rules of society, I realize even more that I was very, very lucky to have such loving and devoted people to guide me. People who offered time and care to help a child learn and grow without fear of recrimination or stultifying attitudes.

It is my opinion that the pervasive and damaging form of censorship promoted by Kimberly Fraser and others, goodly-intentioned to be sure, as laziness and lack of commitment to our society's children. Why would anyone think this censorship service was necessary? Because there is not enough time to spend with our children? Because we cannot be ubiquitous and all knowing? Because we cannot trust our children outside the home? Because we are unwilling, unable, unmotivated to accompany our children to the library or instruct caretakers? Because all of these reasons and more? These are puny and unsubstantiated reasons that are borne out of neglect or antipathy. It is easier, cleaner, more convenient and faster to let other people decide for our children and us what is palatable and what is not. I shudder to think that I will lose my right of choice in reading material (in any format). I am angered that in the future I may not know about choice because those tools of development will already be censored.

A biased segment of our population is determining now, that access to certain content is unworthy for us to view and therefore unnecessary for our future as well. As a community of caring contributors, it is vital that we speak against censorship and preserve our right to form our own conclusions.