The Fight for Written Works : Case Study of the Minnesota Coalition Against Censorship in 1970-1980

Abstract

1970 through the 1980s was a time in the United States when the question of how schools should address written literature was up for debate. In Minnesota, there was a Coalition that had formed to help the fight against censorship in the state. Historians have not looked at the question of school censorship until recent years. The topic of censorship in schools is one that people in the education field explore. By looking at the Minnesota Coalition Against Censorship, a collection at the Minnesota Historical Society, there is much to learn about how this Coalition combatted the ideas of censorship. Looking at the Coalition's correspondence, cases they were asked to help with, and newspaper clippings that talked about cases they were helping with or watching the results help explain how the Coalition worked. Examining a specific location during a change can help better understand why the changes happened in a small area. Then able to see if this case study would also apply to what was happening nationally. The topic is essential as this is a little explored topic in the study of history, and the paper will help fill some of the gaps. At the same time, censorship is constantly an evolving topic that never has an end. Finally, the paper looks to highlight different solutions that have been used in the past to help the current society.