Journal bethanie's Journal: What are you afraid of? 22
No, not you -- the "you" meaning "they." The "they" pertaining to the YRO story about the ALA's banned book list.
I looked over that list, and although I've seen it before, I was amazed to read it again. I have read at least half of the books on that list, the vast majority of them by the time I was 14. They were really wonderful books -- I'd say the best part of my youth was spent engaged in those books.
So it's really difficult for me to imagine Americans insisting that they should be banned. I specify Americans because freedom of speech is part of our cultural heritage -- it's one of the things that we seem to cling to most fervently.
Look at the statistics, most of the challenges were brought by parents. I would think -- HOPE -- that parents would feel empowered enough, if a particular work offends them, that they could ban it from their own households. But most of the challenges were made to remove the materials from schools and/or school libraries, which tells you that parents don't want their kids being taught this stuff in schools.
Well, I suppose I can understand that -- I am pretty darn picky about how I want my kids to be taught, too, which is why I plan to do it myself. And yes, the most common protest is against sexually explicit material (which I doubt is being taught in the classroom -- more likely, the books are just available in the school library in those cases). But when it comes to the objections against offensive language, occult themes, and homosexuality, I, as a parent, would welcome challenges to my own viewpoint, and take them as opportunities to discuss the issues with my children and further promote my opinions.
I wonder at parents who think that simply by preventing their children from being exposed to these elements they will impart their own beliefs to them. Don't folks realize that kids really need to understand the "WHY" behind things? And if they don't, isn't the third year of your child's life enough to get the point across??? (For those of you without kids, this is the year when EVERYTHING you say to your child is answered with the question, "Why?"
Anyway, I invite you to go look at that list of banned/challenged books -- there are some *really* good ones on there. In my opinion, it's a good start for any basic curriculum.
I looked over that list, and although I've seen it before, I was amazed to read it again. I have read at least half of the books on that list, the vast majority of them by the time I was 14. They were really wonderful books -- I'd say the best part of my youth was spent engaged in those books.
So it's really difficult for me to imagine Americans insisting that they should be banned. I specify Americans because freedom of speech is part of our cultural heritage -- it's one of the things that we seem to cling to most fervently.
Look at the statistics, most of the challenges were brought by parents. I would think -- HOPE -- that parents would feel empowered enough, if a particular work offends them, that they could ban it from their own households. But most of the challenges were made to remove the materials from schools and/or school libraries, which tells you that parents don't want their kids being taught this stuff in schools.
Well, I suppose I can understand that -- I am pretty darn picky about how I want my kids to be taught, too, which is why I plan to do it myself. And yes, the most common protest is against sexually explicit material (which I doubt is being taught in the classroom -- more likely, the books are just available in the school library in those cases). But when it comes to the objections against offensive language, occult themes, and homosexuality, I, as a parent, would welcome challenges to my own viewpoint, and take them as opportunities to discuss the issues with my children and further promote my opinions.
I wonder at parents who think that simply by preventing their children from being exposed to these elements they will impart their own beliefs to them. Don't folks realize that kids really need to understand the "WHY" behind things? And if they don't, isn't the third year of your child's life enough to get the point across??? (For those of you without kids, this is the year when EVERYTHING you say to your child is answered with the question, "Why?"
Anyway, I invite you to go look at that list of banned/challenged books -- there are some *really* good ones on there. In my opinion, it's a good start for any basic curriculum.
Re: (Score:2)
Re:a couple points (Score:1)
If a book is nothing but cover to cover pictures of full blown hard core pornography, then sure, ban it. Then again, I don't see very many issues of Maxim or such on school bookshelves.
(I WAS amazed when one middle school I went to had a copy of the Bible in the library, I had never seen one in a school before
I haven't looked at the list (Score:2)
I have to say when we did East of Eden in HS and there was sexual content, I was rather shocked. I was a pretty sheltered kid, and I think if mom had known she would likely have objected.
Which isn't to say she would have called for the book to be banned, but then, my HS was pretty good at providing the option to not have to read something that might be offensive; I definitely remember a couple of my classmates having permission slips to read someth
Re:I haven't looked at the list (Score:2)
Your school == Weak.
We had lesbians come in to teach us about how to use conceceptives.
We watched Rocky Horror Picture Show.
I have had sex ed since the 4th grade, pretty much every other year.
My school had more problems with students PERFORMING oral sex on each other in the bathrooms.
Nobody really gave a crap if you just talked about it.
Re:I haven't looked at the list (Score:2)
So did mine. I don't recall saying I was typical. You seem to suggest that such behavior is a good thing. I didn't think so then, and I don't think so now.
And I think there's an obvious difference between real sex education (which again, I think parents ought to be allowed to opt out of if they're so inclined) and fictional accounts. You know, the difference between the textbook and, say, 9 1/2 weeks? It's a g
Re:I haven't looked at the list (Score:1)
I didn't say it was positive, just that having it in a book is really no big deal compared to RL.
Well rounded views mean having looked at all sides of an issue.
Re:I haven't looked at the list (Score:1)
Re:I haven't looked at the list (Score:1)
Listening to the jocks in gym class boast about how sweet so-n-so's twat was last weekend doesn't have the same sanction as assigned reading.
Wow (Score:1)
My POV... (Score:2)
anarchist cookbook, (Score:1)
Re:anarchist cookbook, (Score:2)
I had a copy of the Anarchist's Cookbook -- store bought with my own money. I loved that book. It appealed to the Geek/Hacker in me (wanting to know the 'how stuff works' itch). But as you suggest, it's probably not a good idea to have in your locker at school or in your carrie-on luggage.
Re:anarchist cookbook, (Score:2)
You have to be kidding me! (Score:2)
I had a couple of thoughts (Score:2)
Of the entire 100, there was only one that I found offensive enough to choose *not* to introduce to my children when they
No, no, no (Score:2)
It's a sad human tendancy to think that those ideas, or those whom you dislike, are less worthy of liberty.
You mean... (Score:2)
Actually, some of my favorites are on there too, like "A Wrinkle in Time." WTF? Why would anyone object to that? I don't get it. Or "Julie of the Wolves." Or "James and the Giant Peach." What could possibly be wrong with that? With some of these it's pretty obvious what people were objecting to (though it's pretty disturbing that "Brave New World" is on there -- totalitarian mentality, anyone?), but some of them are just bizarre.
Required reading (Score:2)
I have read (Score:1)
Some of the books, however, have been written after I was already growed up. (Harry Potter doesn't count. I'm collecting the books and reading them now.)
What I don't get is why "Where's Waldo" would be banned. WTF?
^_^
Damn... (Score:1)
Harder to control kids at school (Score:2)
I can't fully understand their viewpoint, however. My attitude has always been that I'd rather have the book in my home and discuss it with my children than ban it at home and have them seek it out elsewhere as some
Crackheads (Score:2)
Seriously? What the fuck is worng with any of the following classics of Western Literature?
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
The Color Purple by Alice Walker
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Beloved by Toni Morrison
The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
A Light in the Attic by