I don't know why, but I instantly thought "Halsey!"
Unfortunately, I was right.
Taffey Anderson has filed paperwork to have a popular graphic novel banned from the library of Central Linn High School in Halsey.There’s just one hitch: Anderson refuses to return The Book of Bunny Suicides to the school district so a committee can review her complaint.
She won’t budge. In fact, she reportedly plans to burn the book. (The Oregonian, via Oregon Live)
I taught English at this school last year, so it pains me to see this happening. Central Linn is a small underfunded school—typical for rural areas (typical for Real America, yeah?). I initially thought it was so funny because it rings of redneck stereotype: I don't like this book, so dangit! I'm settin' it aflame! Just like your homosexual sinning soul!
Then, I thought it was funny because a different book, Shutterbug Follies, was challenged last year, mostly because of cartoon nudity. We were pretty split about what we should do with it. Being a young liberal, I thought we should read it to kindergartners. Others didn't like it, for it was a little prurient. One History-sometimes-English-teacher said "it wasn't written well." Which, as others agreed with him, means ultimately "I don't like cartoon nudity, cursewords, and a female protagonist who sneaks around detective-like." Because you know what? It was written well. If you agree with Oscar Wilde, you can't make any other judgements about it.
MOVING ON...What is so heartbreaking about this story?
First, rather than take advantage of this "teachable moment" (something that was harped on constantly in the College of Ed.), the mother tears the book away from her son and says she is going to burn it. Because she doesn't like it. Second, the mother, in knowingly not returning the book to the library, is stealing. Well, as it turns out, in this great teachable moment, the mother is imparting a lesson to her child: if something upsets you, get rid of it. Preferably illegally (stealing) or violently (burning).
Luckily for mom, she has a legal recourse to get this book out of the library: she can challenge it through the district by filling out some reconsideration forms. This is a good thing, should there truly be some offensive literature in the library (perhaps a "How to Start a Juvenile Chapter of the KKK" book). Parents participating in their school community is always a good thing.
But pushing their own agenda on other students? Rather than use this opportunity to talk about what is reponsible or appropriate literature, she leaves her child wondering. And perhaps this taste of forbidden fruit will leave him wanting more liberal trash! He may vote for Ralph Nader in eight years?
And why should she get to dictate what other students in the district have access to? This book didn't magically appear in the library. The librarian is not an irresponsible woman out to corrupt your children. She would never order a book she thought was harmful! In fact, last year's nearly-banned book and this one have something in common: they are critically acclaimed and recommended by librarians across the country.
It is refreshing to see parents get involved in their student's curriculum and reading. However, trying to get a book banned helps no one, and stealing the book sets a very bad example. And burning it? Shit. I really wish Central Linn had copies of Fahrenheit 451. That book would spurn the greatest, most relevant English lesson EVER at that school.
The great thing about blogs is that this story is all over the place. Commenters upon commenters have said, "I sent a new copy of the book to CLHS via Amazon." Which is great, because this mother will never be able to check out all the copies (in just reading two blogs' comments, I saw that there are at least 10 copies headed to the school).
But on the other hand, if this story is all over the place, other parents may get the idea to fill out "Material Reconsideration" forms. When we reviewed Shutterbug Follies last year, each person on the committee spent hours in meetings/reviewing the book/reading relevant articles. This school district cannot afford that—it is spread too thin as it is!
AND DAMMIT, it just makes me mad. I don't think books should be banned because they contain suicidal cartoon animals, cartoon nudity, profanity or sexual content.
LAST YEAR, in Senior English, the students (well, realistically, four of 23) read Brave New World. If we apply the same standards of these controversial books, it should be banned too. Hell, I should have been fired on the spot. True, there are no graphics, so we nix the suicidal animals and nudity. However, it is full of profanity, sexual content, and perhaps most dangerously, satire.
OK, I MUST STOP or I will go on forever. Please comment! Let's discuss. Your thoughts?
I have much more to share concerning this.
