share.triangle.com - School book censoring - Comments

Don't forget about reading

Visitor — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 15:44:57 -0500

Don't forget about reading that book too! It was, and still is, a timely cautionary tale about the rumblings of fascism.

Yup, 'tis truly a sad day when the parents & so-called "moralists" of a community transform into an angry mob armed with torches bent on storming the bastions of free speech, expression, the press, etc. Nope, nope, NOPE!! Cannot be allowed to happen! The law of this nation, specifically the 1st Amendment, is more important to uphold. My justification on that thought? Simple: our country is made up of more religions, varied ones, than we can easily count. And I'm sure not all of them believe in banning books. Neither should the mob of Johnston.

I wonder what's next...Of Mice and Men?

Racoons — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 13:02:39 -0500

What is even more obvious is the fact that this was a board approved book on an extended reading list! As a resident of Johnston County I am always amazaed at our insistence to stay in some make believe land that has never existed. 500 channels, Internet, an judging by the halls of West Johnston an abstinence program that is clearly not working! You're right Anthony Carter (count your 15 minutes) of Four Oaks, NC it must be this book that is the absolute decline of Western Civilization.
PS If I were you, I would turn to Song of Soloman, risque!

Have a Little Respect

Visitor — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 09:19:54 -0500

I'd like to tell the book banners to respect other people's judgement and intelligence. How would they feel if they were told that the Bible was going to be withdrawn from their local public school because it contains a divinely ordered genocide in the Book of Joshua, in which God orders the killing of every man, woman, and child in several Canaanite cities? Or because it contains father-daughter incest in the story of Lot and his daughters? My guess is that they'd be sputtering in indignation, protesting that the Holy Book should not be judged ONLY by such passages.

Yet they apparently feel fine about denying other people's children access to Julia Alvarez's beautiful and funny story about coming of age as an immigrant in American culture. And they haven't even read the whole book!!! I'm floored by their assumption that they know better than others who have taken the time to inform themselves.

Interview anyone?

Leslie Parnell — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 10:06:09 -0500

Is there anyone who would like to be quoted in a news article about book banning, this book specifically?

I'm really looking for a professional to answer some questions for me, but any Johnston County parent is totally welcome to express their views. In fact, I'd love to hear from parents.

My E-mail is lparnell@mydailyrecord.com. If you're interested in allowing me to interview you, please drop me a line by E-mail before midnight Thursday Dec. 27 and give me a contact number so I can call you.

P.S. Not all interviews will be used in the article. I will use commons views and a few quotes.

banning books.

Visitor — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 13:11:04 -0500

Are far will it go. We can not start banning books. I am a mother and grandmother. If my child should not be reading it ,its up to me. Goverment and so called do gooders should not be aloud to tell others what they should or should not read.

What it boils down to

Kenneth — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 12:18:24 -0500

Here is what it boils down to. Those who challenge these books are eroding our nation's core values and freedoms. Those who would impose their religious or "moral" convictions upon others are foolishly squandering the tolerance that makes (made?) our country great.

There is no justification. "Morality" can not be used as a shield. The values of a single religion can not be imposed on everyone who lives in this diverse land.

Yes, I know that this country is founded based upon Judeo-Christian values. But we're not talking here about proscriptions against murder and violence and theft; we're talking about access to ideas. It is essential for the intellectual life of this nation that we do not deny children or adults access to ideas that we may find repugnant or distressing.

Those who would challenge these books are intellectually empty and ethically impoverished -- and it is sad.

Huh?

Visitor — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 10:16:34 -0500

Can you cite a single "over the edge" incident in Johnston County that was caused by a student reading a library book?

Ban the bible

Visitor — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 10:12:03 -0500

As the christian bible includes graphic depictions of
rape, murder, and homosexuality, it is only fair that
it, too, be banned.

re: I say "Congratulations"

laura k — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 08:42:38 -0500

Taking a bunch of quotes out of context doesn't argue for the validity or lack thereof of any artistic work.

Frankly, I believe that true, meaningful sexual morality can better arise out of seeing what it is that you are deciding not to engage in. Do we think our children are so stupid that they will be that easily swayed in their beliefs and what we've taught them?

Suggesting books and then banning?

Visitor — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 18:51:08 -0500

How the Garcia Girls lost their accents had been on the JoCo Suggested Reading List since 1999. Just another bit...

OK. You do know that

Visitor — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 13:34:00 -0500

OK. You do know that religious kids still experience all of this stuff, right? And if they are raised in an environment where they are kept from reading anything difficult, then they will feel that they are alone when it happens to them. To read about it - to understand that you aren't alone in what you've seen - it's healing and freeing. It doesn't make you want to go out and do it. Reading does not make a person immoral - it helps them to define their character. Have more faith in your faith. If you are teaching your child correctly, you use these materials as opportunities to discuss difficult topics. Trying to avoid it keeps kids feeling ashamed of what is actually prevalent and has been prevalent for thousands of years. People have sex. People have sex with the wrong people. Kids get introduced to the "world" too early. But that is life and it needs to be expressed and discussed.

Context

Visitor — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 10:15:19 -0500

Hey, I've seen that website too. Look up the word "context." Your site pulls all the curse words out of books and prints them out of context in order to stir up controversy. I guess it worked on you. But since you didn't take the time to read the book and you probably won't look up the word context either, I'll put it here for you.

context ( ) n. The part of a text or statement that surrounds a particular word or passage and determines its meaning.

Now you've learned something valuable and our kids can too if we just open our minds and eyes to what is right in front of our faces.

How the Garica Girls lost their accent

Libia — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 10:56:16 -0500

Greetings from Miami where we hispanics are not seen as second class citizens and are respected.
I read this book 16 years ago and do not recall anything inappropriate.
The book tells the story of three sisters relocating North from Santo Domingo. I have since read more of Ms. Alvarez' work and have met her at a book signing.
Do not embarrass your community by banning this book-the rest of the country will just laugh at you.
Like your kids don't watch MTV.

I was there!

Visitor — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 19:15:16 -0500

I am a 15 year old student and I was in the class and no kids ever read out loud. The teacher read to us and explained the book as we went along so we could understand what was right and wrong. The two students who didn't want to read the book obviously couldn't stay in the classroom if their parents didn't want them to hear about the book. And they weren't both in the hallway. I don't know where this info came from but I was there every day and I know that most of what was stated above is not true.

What about the kids?

Visitor — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 15:21:38 -0500

Truth is, none of us were in that classroom when the book was being utilized. I know students who were though. This book was being read aloud by 15 year old boys and girls. Many in the classroom were uncomfortable, but felt they couldn't go to their parents with it because a big deal would be made when their parents surely objected to the material. What teenager wants to be singled out? This is exactly what has happened though when these parents stood up for their daughter and tried to do what they felt was best. I understand this girl and another girl were placed in chairs in the hallway to read their alternative book. They were part of the classroom readings until they discussed it with their parents. If the libraries are for all books, should they not be for all students? Did anyone think about the students? Surely they could have been assigned to a better location. The parents names were printed in the newspaper, and other students were aware that they were assigned to the hallway, so who had to bear the biggest burden? The adults can fight about this for years to come, but I commend any student who will take a stand, or ask for help, knowing what they will obviously be subjected to by adults. I can only hope these students will continue to stand up for their beliefs.

School book censoring

mwilliam — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 17:24:39 -0500

Johnston County school officials are scouring the library shelves for potentially offensive books after “How the Garcia girls lost their accents,” a novel by Julia Alvarez, was removed from school libraries and classrooms earlier this fall due to sexual content and profane language. This raises a question: At what point do parents and school officials need to get involved and inquire about what books are used in schools?

Johnston County school officials are scouring the library shelves for potentially offensive books after “How the Garcia girls lost their accents,” a novel by Julia…