Lumby Freedom to Read Week invites Canadians to celebrate freedom of expression Feb. 20-26 this year.
Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms protects freedom of expression, but there are those who would like to make exceptions.
In 2010, Canadians lost the opportunity to hear Dire Straits’ Money for Nothing because of one complaint to the Canadian Broadcasts Standards Council. The song was declared offensive and cannot be played on Canadian airwaves.
And Mark Twain’s classic American novel, Huckleberry Finn, was altered by publisher NewSouth Books, changing the language used to refer to African-American and First Nations to better suit our modern times.
In 2010, Canadian author Rohinton Mistry’s novel Such a Long Journey was removed from Mumbai University’s curriculum. According to politician Ashokrao Chavan the book contained “very bad language.” The novel, published in 1991, was short-listed for the Booker Prize.
Lumby United Church participates in Freedom to Read Week by hosting a used book sale each year.
Any book you choose that is on the list of more than 100 books on the Challenged List at www.freedomtoread.ca is free. As well, bring a book featured on the Challenged List to the grand opening at 9 a.m. to participate in the display.
The book sale takes place Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Lumby United Church at the corner of Park Avenue and Vernon Street. Everyone is welcome.
Anyone wishing to donate books to the sale may drop them off today from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. All books are welcome.
