One of the most banned books of all time - Mollie Godfrey
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- Опубликовано: 20 фев 2023
- Explore why Maya Angelou’s memoir “I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings” became one of the most frequently banned books of all time.
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In 1998, a school district removed one of American literature’s most acclaimed works from its curriculum. Parents pushing for the ban said the book was both “sexually explicit” and “anti-white.” The book at the center of this debate was Maya Angelou’s “I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings.” Why was the memoir so controversial? Mollie Godfrey digs into one of the most banned books of all time.
Lesson by Mollie Godfrey, directed by Laura White.
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“The books that the world calls immoral are books that show the world its own shame.” - Oscar Wilde
Mein Kampf?
@@gr6373 to the people of Germany, yes. Ww2 was embarrassing and shameful after realising what actually happened.
Industrial Society and Its Future.
It's odd that most of the campaigns for bans are done by those who have never read those books or watched the movies themselves. Also these guys are privileged people, always....
@@fatihkoc7075 You seriously want to go back to no Internet access, appalingly high child mortality, and short average lifespans?!
‘Censorship is the child of fear. The father of ignorance’ -laurie halse anderson
Very true. And if you live in the West, an entire world of violence and brutality is censored from you.
to quote my book store owning grandmother "only the weak need censorship"
Goes to jot this quote in my notebook
What’s it the mother of
* and the weapon of tyrant
Imagine having one of the most banned books in the world being the literal story of your life. Maya Angelou was truly such an inspirational figure and remains to be. Her life was hard but she was incredible and her hardships shouldn’t have to be censored.
funny how censorship goes
"I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings" sounds like exactly what kids should be reading, and analysing. Tragic so many novels like this are being banned, stopping kids from learning about a diverse variety of experiences and social issues.
It's not a novel it's a memoir
@@fyukfy2366 I was making a generalisation towards banned books, but since that includes "I Know Where the Caged Bird Sings" you are correct, thanks for the correction though, will use if this memoir comes into conversation in any further circumstances.
At our high school, we read "The Hate U Give"
@@Innocentdetails I know my local one has had classes read a myriad of books like such as well. But I live in left-leaning part of one of the US's most dominantly left states. I think it's more of an issue in some regions than others. (Not to dismiss it as an issue in left leaning areas)
it does not sound like something kids should be reading, they wouldn't even be able to understand most of the concepts in the book until they become teenagers and teachers might use it as a tool to influence them. Plus, they are not stopping them from reading it, they are not allowing their libraries to stock it. Big difference.
“Caged Bird” helped saved my life. Thankful for the day my 11th grade English teacher at a conservative Christian school handed it to me and said, “read this, sweet pea”. That teacher became my mentor teacher and I was honored to teach alongside her for 16 years. She is still one of my best friends-family, actually. I still encourage my students at a conservative Christian school in TX to read it.
I am glad you got the help you needed. I live in Florida, and that teacher who helped you would be charged with a felony here. I'm dead serious.
@@laurendoe168 thanks! Me, too.
Your brief description is touching and supports the idea that information is better than darkness in most cases.
@@laurendoe168 That's so unfortunate and scary...
@@faus585 You can say that again - all thanks to our "Florida Man" (and likely future Presidential candidate) Gov DeathSentence.
Books which are banned are the most marvelous ones. Because they teach you more than society does. Love this books series. 😊
Nooo, now people will bring up Adolf's banned book
@@ValentijnEnJack that book is not banned in Germany. Anyone can buy it and read it. It is just prefaced with the contextualization of the work, the hatred and crimes that came out of it, and it is commented throughout
@@ValentijnEnJack Mein kampf is distributed, sold and read in many countries with no ban whatsoever. It is a part of history, an important one and for once it is not at all limited (although I am sure there are countries more inclined for censorship, where it is banned).
@@ValentijnEnJack the point the original comment makes still applies. You should not hide the past, you should learn from all sources, Adolf and his crimes were commited by a society at large. You just have to keep a sense of direction, contextualize it, to allow new readers to comprehend and not be lost in a past they do not know
@@DefnitelyNotFred It was a half-joke (and I never meant for it to take away from the original take. I liked it.), but all feedback is welcome.
I like reading what you guys think.
“When you tear out a man's tongue, you are not proving him a liar, you're only telling the world that you fear what he might say.”
― George R.R. Martin, A Clash of Kings
Sort of reminds me of Avoxes in The Hunger Games…the things they’d say if they could
Fact: every time a school or library has banned a book, sales of that same book in bookstores have increased. Thus leading to many bookstores advertising that books have been banned in certain places in order to boost sales.
Like the old adage says, “There’s no such thing as bad publicity.”
The Streisand effect
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Streisand_effect#:~:text=The%20Streisand%20effect%20is%20the,increasing%20awareness%20of%20that%20information.
Edit: Wow, most channels just block links. But TedEd doesn't. Which is ironic considering this video's topic..
@@unliving_ball_of_gaswhat’s the opposite of ironic?
i think it fits the theme perfectly as it’s against censoring
@@tl1326 I guess you have a point. I have had a misunderstanding of irony all this time. Your reply made me research the meaning. I'm not sure what's the opposite of irony is, but I guess honesty? Or Doing what you believe in, in this case. Google says it's sincerity.
Ah yes the invisible hand of capitalism saves the day for a change
In India, we have "Why the caged Bird sings" in our English curriculum, happy it's not banned but praised
which board?
@@sierramadre1734 icse
Yes! Not the entire book, but the poem "I know why the Caged Bird sings" is mandatorily present in our board textbooks at the moment. We even did a project on it, as well as on Paul Laurence Dunbar's "Sympathy" this year.
Ikr
Which board? I'm in cbse and I haven't encountered it till now .
People shouldn't be afraid to talk to their kids about these topics. Kids do not live in a bubble. Banning this book is uncessary.
Kinda seems like creating a bubble around these topics for kids just enables these kinds of abuses and talking about it openly would help kids abused or who know someone being abused to actually name their abuser.
definitely, kids are exposed much more than what adults think.
I love Ted-ed videos, but I think this was one of this first times I've gotten this emotional. That end quote after the buildup and context was so powerful.
fr man! 🥲
ted ed can make any subject great but theres SOMETHING about the way they talk about literature. please more of these videos.
I agree.
Sounds like something everyone should read. Dont ban the reality.
I hope you don’t react like this with the banning of Protocols of the Elders of Zion.
@@jeffreygao3956 that is extremely different from this
Last year, Ellen Hopkins visited my school to give a narration of her life's story regarding the inspiration for "Crank". Its the basically unchanged story of her daughter's addiction to methamphetamine and the repercussions. It's 38th on the list of most banned books in the U.S. from 2010-2019. Why hide this stuff? If you're worries about people doing it, then show them the consequences. The people who decide to ban these books want to avoid thinking about the bad things in this world and society, but that doesn't mean people shouldn't be able to read them. I actually own at least ten of the books on that list, and they're all amazing.
@@coolracoon7 - Banning reality has been attempted by American "conservatives" since at least when the Puritans came here. It helps them to misrepresent reality and control people more easily. Authoritarians in other countries have done it, as well.
@@aidenwallin3523 - "No, you see - the best way to discourage kids from abusing drugs is just to tell them not to do it. Same deal with teen pregnancy and STI's. If that doesn't work, that just means that those kids are bad people..."
- American "conservatives"
“The book chronicles Angela’s journey to rediscover her voice, all while exploring the pain and misplaced shame of avoiding uncomfortable realities.”
Parents lobby: it makes us uncomfortable therefore we don’t want our kids to read it. BAN THE BOOK!!!
Oh the irony.
IKR
We have this book at my school. It sits in a book storage room because teachers are too afraid to teach it. But imagine just how many children could learn from and connect with Maya's story. Educators must be brave.
True
I'm 90% through with this masterpiece and I don't know what to pick up next because what on earth could possibly top I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings?! Even in death, she remains a force to be reckoned with. I've never read a work so open, honest, and pure.
Book is a solid 7/10
@@guynumber3100 I guess the only way to settle your disagreement with the others who are recommending this book is for all of us to read it. Thanks for the motivation.
I don’t know if it’ll top it but I’d recommend Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison
the brothers karamazov - dostoevsky and crime and punishment - also dostoevsky
I don't know if you read _The Little Prince_ but it's a Classic everyone should read.
‘There is no greater agony, than bearing an untold story inside of you.’-Maya Angelou, ‘I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings’
The irony of banning a book that speaks about the dangers of silecence.
The same thing happened with Fahrenheit 451. I hate this country.
“The unspeakable is far more dangerous when unspoken”
that hit hard
Keeping your child in a bubble is a dangerous thing
I want to read this book now, thank you TED-Ed, and Maya Angelou!
Do it! It was one of the best memoirs I've ever read.
@@stasiaerickson9342 It is only one of the many books of her memoirs. They are all fantastic!
@@ImaLeshLushnIcantgetmyPhil I didn't know she wrote other memoirs. How cool! Thanks for telling me. :)
@@stasiaerickson9342 You’re welcome :-) Enjoy, there are quite a few. She was trailblazer for African American women and all women! Was privileged, she did a lecture/talk in my state, it was the most inspiring and emotional couple hours in my life still. She’s a National Treasure ❣️
When I was a kid we read this book in school, and it was never a problem even though it made some people uncomfortable but honestly that’s part of learning and teaching kids about how the world is sometimes without sheltering them too much.
Sooner or later everyone will encounter something that makes them deeply uncomfortable, unless they lack something emotionally like a psychopath
I feel that banning something is equivalent of a denying its existence. Because if you deny something doesn't exist, that doesn't mean it's still does not exist. It's like handing someone a bottle of water, drinking all the water, and handing down the bottle to another person. The bottle still exists and it can be refilled with more water. But trying to take it away doesn't change the fact that it existed in the first place.
Something about that book teaches is it's okay to speak up about someone that bad has happened to you. If you feel guilt for something that was not 100% was not your fault, You should not feel sorry for that, You should seek help. That's the main thing that book tries to teach people. What's the main lesson of the book, If something bad has happened to you, you have to tell someone, or it will continue to happen
haha, here is the real comment. yo dude, some bot copied your comment and it had 70 upvotes, jesus, youtube comment section sucks
@@Alfalfa88888 ???
@@Alfalfa88888 this makes me sad
@@Rosewiththorns2022 someone copied your comment and got more likes than you apparently
the more fervently someone tries to ban truthful writing, the more necessary it proves itself to be, time and time again.
A combination of the script, the narrator's voice, the animation, background music and the topic at hand have made this one of my favourite ted ed videos in recent months!
I agree
My mom was SA’d by her dad, and she didn’t know the grammar for it. Teach your children young. 😢
A book like this must never be silenced, especially when it's relevant to this day
Telling kids they can't read a book will only get them to want to read it more. The people trying to get all these books banned just don't realize that.
the story telling from this channel is excellent. They not only captivates us but also does that in a non-stereotypical way, takes us on a journey.
I have heard of Maya Angelou from my literature class, and when I found out about her story I was heartbroken and felt so bad for her. I never read her memoir but I might read it, so that I can understand her more and learn a valuable lesson.
CRAZY that I’m literally reading this book at the moment! So much love for Maya Angelou!!!
Do you know where could I read the book for free???
@@centynela2235 you can look it up “ i know why the caged bird sings full text” or pdf
@@Gg-ij7li sigh
I read this book in college in the early 90s. I had no idea it was controversial. I remember it well written.
I hadn't heard about it being banned before watching this, but it's unclear just from the video in which schools it was banned. It seems to me the controversy is whether it should be taught in elementary schools (but maybe middle and high schools as well). I honestly can't imagine why anyone would want to ban it in middle and high school (though I also haven't read it for myself). I could, however, understand why some would say that elementary schoolers aren't ready for it, though Ms. Angelou's counter-argument is rather compelling.
"Any book worth banning is a book worth reading" - Isaac Asimov
Mein Kampf?? No it’s not worth reading
@@denisg1208mein kampf isn't banned though?
@@quantum9546 in what country??
@@denisg1208 have you read it?
@@vsezaye in most countries I believe. It is read, not for entertainment, but for insight into Hitler's life, his goals, and his actions later in life.
'I know why the caged bird sings' was in our curriculum in India in high school
I am a class 12th students of cbse school and I haven’t seen it in any of the english textbooks there in the syllabus 😮
@@sushilskolia you do know that there are school boards apart from CBSE?
@@sushilskolia it is there in icse class 10
@@sushilskolia it was a poem in icse class 10 .
😮 In which class? I wish these sort of stories were there in our syllabus too instead of rubbish stuff.
If the violence of US racism is "inappropriate for young readers" then maybe we shouldn't be perpetuating it.
As a white male I'm his 30's i found the story very difficult to continue reading. Though, I believe that was the point. Sometimes, a story can be so complex as to have meaning stretch far beyond it's words.
If you think banning or destroying a book, however against your beliefs, is the right course of action regardless of it's contents, maybe you should rethink your ideals. This seems to only be a problem for modern day conservatives, but so-called "libertarians" as well.
Book banning is about as old as it is to write books
I am pretty sure conservative don’t want censorship, they want less government and more individual freedom 💀
Maryland bans books because it’s a very democratic state
Books shouldn't be banned unless they are promoting hate or communal disharmony and can provoke murders/abuse of innocents.
The far left are as bad at banning, censoring and deplatforming as any other group.
Great video like always
Thanks, Ted
I wish people would stop banning books, and actually read them instead.
" I know why the Caged Bird sings " ..
This is on our English Literature course of class 10 ICSE (India) 🤷♂️
The scene in the book with Ms. Flowers where Ms. Flowers tells Maya to read aloud as it is her voice that gives words power continues to resonate with me since I read the book many years ago. Powerfu piece of lit.
Great video. Knowledge about threat can pave a long way to prevent and fight against the threat. ❤
"The unspeakable is far more dangerous when left unspoken" - wise words :) 4:39
Just started reading!! Thanks Ted ed!
Thank you this is just what I was looking for.
I read it in middle school! As a brown child it changed my life. I read it twice the next year 💖💖💖 her prose and poetry were truly eye opening
What a beautiful video. Thank you.
Wonderfully produced, with excellent writing, narrating, and animation.
Very good topic to be brought up or to be brought into light because such topics the more they are banned or kept at the back does not only suppress the sufferer but support the doer not directly but indirectly this should not be a taboo topic seeing the current scenario and these autobiographies are one of the best sources for the survivors to see and learn about how to be a survivor .Truly TED-Ed took a great topic today to deliver 🙌
We had a poem which was known by the same name written by her in 10th grade it was amazing
ICSE board right?
I was so confused because we read a poem about slavery but the book discovers such wide topics
@@areyouallergictoawesomenes613 Yes icse
I'm sorry but something being historically accurate does not make it anti-white by default.
Wow, one of the best videos ever in my opinion, how very important subjects and wonderful pictures!
Despite being one of the most frequently banned books of all time I've never heard of this book until now.
That's a real shame, it's a gorgeous masterpiece. Hopefully you read it.
The animation is so gorgeous, it really makes up the environment ❤️
People should try to read more books.
thank you for sharing this.
"AND STILL I RISE" - Maya Angelou ☝🏽😌💕
Banning this book is like burning Fahrenheit 451
Listening and learning ❤ the unspeakable is far more dangerous when left unspoken. So powerful
Please bring back Why You Should Read ... video series 🙏🙏
You'd think banning a book is a sure-fire way of inciting curiosity for it. The forbidden fruit, you could say.
I find it *incredibly* interesting how most banned books are ones that discuss issues such as censorship, totalitarianism, and oppression... funny, isn't it?
Most of the best books ever written have been banned somewhere. This video is a good reminder that I should reread this book. I read 'I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings' in my college years and even then it was an amazing read. There was something very poetic about its ending that really moved me at the time, so I can only imagine how much more moving it will be after having lived through certain life experiences since then.
Shortly after I read it I even met a lady at a nursing home I volunteered at and she knew Maya Angelou when she was a kid since they went to school together. How cool is that? Small world. I felt very lucky to be able to talk with her and hear about her experiences.
Never had the opportunity to read this in high school (although I have 'read' 1984, and Animal Farm and Lord of the Flies we're options for me to pick). Though TBH, I didn't like to read at all back then due to my learning disabilities. That changed when I participated in a reading circle (for extra credit) of the first Harry Potter book. That being said, it made things easier to read other books that were assigned in my college classes, like the Bread Givers. Although I've never experienced the type of trauma the author shared in I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, I can only imagine...
The thing about writing that I found out is the writer does better to take something from themselves which enriches the novel. I'll admit I never read the book "Confessions of a Mask" by the controversial Japanese writer Yukio Mishima (who attempted to overthrow his country in a half-baked coupe attempt), but in a book describing Mishima's madness described the book as not being a pretty, but "an honest one." Being honest alone make a book worth looking at for those who are interested.
This kind of books should be part of the Standard Curriculum all over the US!
Also, seems like history is echoing the past at the moment!
Wow😂😂😂 our school has this in our curriculum but we never thought about the obscene stuff, our teachers never told us about the actual symbolism
So what is even the point?
I'm pretty sure we(ICSE board) read a poem,not the book
@@areyouallergictoawesomenes613 Oh! Ok😁😭🤣
@are you allergic to awesomeness... ok. So? You realise it is a poem. Not a book.
@@hiralsingh6895 yeah that's what I was telling you,no need to be rude
"Because listening and learning are essential to overcoming, and the unspeakable is far more dangerous when left unspoken"
The unspeakable is far more dangerous when left unspoken ♥️
Another great video! I've been waiting to see this book covered for a few months now! How about doing 'The pillow book' next?
"The unspeakable is far more dangerous when left unspoken". Wow.
Thank you Teded for letting me know such a good book and wonderful story.
Time to read the book. In The Netherlands she is not so well known. I’ve heard of her of course, but never read a book of her. This was a good introduction to one of her books.
They literally did what the book told not too
One of the most banned books of all time... in the US.
Mark Twain is being censored, right now. They won't print the old versions. Literature lost, erased.
more videos about books please!!!
This is amazing! Commenting so more people can get to know this
Had no idea this book was banned
thank you for the video
The animation is mesmerizing 💞
What a gorgeous video!
"You see, those things are dangerous only for kids to read, not to experience!"
Moral of the story, banned books are often the ones that you most need to read.
She also has poems on Spotify!!
Your videos are the best
“While book banning decisions usually aren’t made at the state or national level” this aged incredibly poorly
Censoring a book on censorship seems so ironic
If people frequently ban “I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings” don’t let the get a hold of “Kite Runner”
The folks writing about the Bible and Mein Kampf in the comments must think they're the funniest people around...
We say we prepare children for the real world, but we always hide it from them
It sounds like such a good book of truth and experiences. Why ban a book with such knowledge? It is important to know this too.
I remember reading the poem 'I know Why the Caged Bird Sings' which was in our English Literature curriculum. That was the first time I learnet about racial discrimination in the US. Btw I live in a small Island in south Asia.
im glad ted ed shared this
Keep up posting other episodes of "Why you should read" please!!
Scary how similar things are happening in schools RIGHT NOW
The scene where the roses climbed up her back was beautiful.
I expected the most banned book would be a book about how to make nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction. Anyway it sounds really important that this is NOT censored. Im in doubt if it should be age restricted (for kids younger than teen) or could actually help some children that really needs to hear about it. But its definitely not something that should be hidden from the world
this made me cry. Maya is a brilliant human being.
same, I never read this, but I **DISTINCTLY** remember this book being a thing that exists, and how iirc it's about important stuff relating to racism or the perspective of minorities or something, and the fact that got banned is **such** a YIKES (I sent this after just beginning to watch, I see it is being explained)
@@Gg-ij7li Can you please stop? Your message is not rooted in love it is rooted in wanting others to conform. I am not religious and I do not follow christianity for many many reasons. quit trying to indoctrinate people online!
Listening and Learning are essential to overcome ✨️
The people who want to ban a book or to silence people often want to do so because they exhibit the harmful behaviours that the book or people call attention too