In previous issues, The Forum has touched upon the seemingly new crisis of book banning and its painful repercussions on the minds of both young and old generations alike. The concept is fascinating, as its motive is so mind-bogglingly not for the people and breaches the morality our country is founded upon. Though not stated directly, it seems as though the sole purpose of book banning is to strip citizens of their right to think critically, leaving them with no voice to stand for the important issues of this world.

One book in particular, taught here at LS, is J. D. Salinger’s beloved The Catcher in the Rye: an intense yet powerful story of a young man exploring the world and its imperfections. Holden Caulfield, the young man in question, deals with significant pain, and throughout the book we see his mental issues come to life. From PTSD to suicidal thoughts, his unwanted feelings are highlighted as he narrates. Although Salinger uses somewhat vulgar language, oftentimes defying the “rules” of society, his story is meaningful and especially important for the younger generations; it provides relevant messages of alienation and loneliness, as well as depression and anxiety. These experiences, yet difficult to read, are current issues that many individuals face. Holden’s experiences are not unique, so banning this book only makes these individuals more isolated.