Word - Censoring magic

On May 12, the Gwinnett board of education ruled against a parent who requested that the Harry Potter book series be removed from school libraries. The parent, Laura Mallory, argued that the books are filled with evil, while opponents claimed the books focus on the ability for good to overcome evil. Mallory hasn’t yet decided whether she’ll appeal the ruling.

“I want to protect children from evil, not fill their minds with it. The Harry Potter books teach children and adults that witchcraft is OK for children.”

-- Laura Mallory, at the April 20 Harry Potter Hearing

“At the very heart of this issue is censorship. Our students do understand the difference between fact and fiction. Let’s let those who want to read the Harry Potter books have the opportunity to do so.”

-- Gwinnett School Board member Carole Boyce, on the board’s decision

“In a surprise move last night the Ministry of Magic passed new legislation giving itself an unprecedented level of control at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. ‘The Minister has been growing uneasy about goings-on at Hogwarts for some time,’ said Junior Assistant to the Minister, Percy Weasley. ‘He is now responding to concerns voiced by anxious parents, who feel the school may be moving in a direction they do not approve of.’”

-- From the article “Ministry Seeks Educational Reform,” which appeared in the Wizardry Community’s Newspaper Of Record In Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, the fifth book in the series