Yes, I think many have been quite irrational in the past with banning books considered "dangerous to humanity, " and have ended up appearing quite dogmatic, in their approach to censorship and enforced restrictions, especially in a progressive modern age.Personally, I find it ridiculous that Black Beauty makes the list-this was my favourite book when I was about five!:)As for the others: I think many were outlawed by extremely conservative individuals or organisations during eras where these books were thought to be "lurid or obscene," and recommend what the public should read or not read and what was appropriate to typical morality at the time.The fifties were especially renowned for been an ultra-conservative era and many books would have shocked or "disgusted" the more uptight or non-progressive members of society who seeked to shelter the reading population from works thought undesirable or questionable to the state of the world.I have actually read many of the books on the lists and would strongly disagree with banning any;I would protest or sign a petition if anyone or fundamental organisation seeked to try and halt access to these books and ban them altogether.Even with books by radical( many were considered "radical" in their own time, but, were before their years)philosophers, political figures or controversial academics should never be banned as many, maby with polar views, may attempt to study them one day, but, never actually take on a similar stand themself.Many researchers read and analyse works they don't even agree with or support as a theory.It's just so absurd to to deny people the freedom to make up their own minds and read any text.No one can truely say that they live in a free and democratic society if their mind is regulated, their thoughts veiled and they are denied access to different opinions and books.
As an example:Lolita, by Vladimir Nabokov, is not going to turn everyone into a paedophile or make the next middle-aged man, who reads it, want to become the next Humbert Humbert.It's highly irrational to suggest that Lolita be banned because it features things which may be "bad".And another book(and later a Stanley Kubrick film in 1972) A Clockwork Orange, by Anthony Burgess, was considered controversial and frequently banned in cinemas.But just reading this book or watching the film is not going to transform everyone into anti-social delinquents.There is good and bad in nearly everything in life and, sadly, some are going to be more susceptible to the possible negative effects obtained by reading some of those books or watching a particular film;as they are already vunerable to take accounts literally and think that they have to copy the protagonist and do acts which may be deemed dangerous or harmful to the very fabric of society.Those who cannot think for themself or who are most impressionable may fall into a sticky web and find that they are caught up in a distorted realm where the world is now one big black maze which they can't get out of.But this should not mean that the majority of readers should be denied access to any of the books to assess and do analysis of the material on their own rational terms.If one has true reason then we shall come to the conclusion that goodness is a reward in itself and hopefully people can find the path that is best for them.
