Amazon Folds under Pressure to Censor Fictional Incest

The independent writers who publish on Amazon report that erotica books containing incest are being taken down with no explanation by Amazon, and removed from the Kindles of purchasers of the books.

Although I am no fan of incest, I am even less a fan of censorship, oppression and control. It is sad that we are still censoring, banning and boycotting books in this time of enlightenment.

What's next, burning books? How about burning witches?

Nom du Keyboard writes "Recently word leaked out about Amazon removing titles containing fictional incest. Surprisingly that ban didn't extend to the 10 titles of Science Fiction Grand Master Robert A. Heinlein that incorporate various themes of incest and pedophilia. Now, it seems that the censorship is expanding to m/m gay fiction if it contains the magic word 'rape' in the title. Just how far is this going to be allowed to proceed in relative silence, and who is pushing these sudden decisions on Amazon's part?"

Author Selena Kitt writes: 'I want to be clear that while the subject of incest may not appeal to some, there is no underage contact in any of my work, and I make that either explicitly clear in all my stories or I state it up front in the book's disclaimer. I don't condone or support actual incest, just as someone who writes mysteries about serial killers wouldn't condone killing. What I write is fiction.' Kindle's own TV ad features a book with a story line of sex between a 19-year-old and his stepmother, defined in some states as incest (Sleepwalking by Amy Bloom)."

No matter how bad a book may seem, if you ban it, where do you draw the line? Who is the judge to say what is acceptable and what is not?

If you don't want your children reading certain books, then tell them not to read them. If you try to force them not to read something, it will only make it more interesting, enticing and alluring.

Children will find out for themselves anyway, what is wrong and what is right. If they are headed in the right direction, they will continue in that direction regardless what books, TV shows or Internet sites they may come across.

Its not for us to decide what others should read, write, watch or listen to. Even if the others are our very own children. If we try to force our belief systems on them, they will resent it, often to the point of distancing themselves from us, sometimes even doing the exact opposite of what we would like for them to do out of spite.

Its up to us to show our children tolerance. To stand up for freedom, including sometimes for the freedom of things we may not like or agree with. But we can't pick and choose which freedom should shine. So say no to censorship. You could even let Amazon know that you'll back them up when they are backed up into a corner. Let them know you won't boycott them for standing firm against censorship.

With all the social media avenues out there, its easy to get a message like this out. Twitter, for example, is an excellent way to get your message heard. Check out my post, How-to Guide to Becoming an Activist: Steps to Supporting Your Cause, on my ActionActivist.com blog. It has some some great tips on how to get your message across.

You would be setting a great example for your children. There is little as powerful to kids, as a parent who stands up for what they believe in, particularly when its against a Giant like Amazon.

It is up to us to promote a sense of decency in our children. It is up to us to teach our children to judge right from wrong. But it is only our children themselves who can decide what they believe to be right or wrong.

It is only our children themselves who can choose to follow what they believe to be right or wrong.

Written By: Tom Retterbush

Sources

Your Rights Online: Amazon Taking Down Erotica, Removing From Kindles by kdawson (Slashdot.org)

Amazon Censorship Expands by samzenpus (Slashdot.org)