Re: Censorship, promotion of books and dissemination of ideas. - Edit 3
Before modification by Mossman at 08/02/2010 03:18:23 AM
1. Are there any books that should ever be censored? If so, why? If so, which ones? Who should decide what books are censored and for whom?
I'm going to say no. If a book offends you, don't read it. I'm all for parents censoring their child's reading, but beyond that, let people decide for themselves.
2. Should any books be withheld from libraries in high schools? If so, why? If so, which ones? Who should decide what books are withheld?
I think it depends on what you believe is the role of the public school, and the public school library, but that's a longer discussion than I care to get into here. Personally, I'd stay away from graphic sexual content, gratuitous violence. Off the top of my head, Koko by Peter Straub, a good bit of Stephen King, anything of that ilk...
3. Name five books (aside from religious works) that you think have had a massive impact on the world, and at least one that is frequently overlooked on lists of that sort.
The Iliad, The Odyssey, Dante's Inferno, Lord of the Rings, Lord of the Flies.
4. Do you think any of the books you listed in point 3 should be read in schools as mandatory reading? Why or why not?
No. There are plenty of great books out there, and good books being written every day. I don't like the idea of locking in a "canon." As a teacher, my goal is to engender a love of reading in my students, in hopes that they will read widely as they grow older. (Of course, I teach 7th grade, so it's a different situation than High School.)
5. Name five books (aside from religious works) that you think SHOULD be mandatory reading in schools (or at least "on the curriculum" if you don't like the word "mandatory"), and why.
The Bridge by Ivo Andric (I think I'm recalling the title correctly) is a great read for World History. Helped me see Eastern Europe through new eyes. I recall getting a great deal out of The Jungle, The Grapes of Wrath, and Hiroshima in US History class in High School. They helped me understand the plights of "average" people, and were more entertaining than the non-fiction fare in our school library. I also like The Odyessy, because of its historical significance.
<quots>6. Do you think schools are too careful in choosing books due to pressure from those who would censor the curriculum? If so, which sorts of books do you feel are unjustly censored?
Too careful? Difficult to say. When you're dealing with other peoples' children, it's not wrong to err on the side of caution. If someone wants to read a particular book, go to the bookstore an buy it. It's not the responsibility of a public school to make controversial books available for your unsupervised perusal. I will say that I am bemused by the fact that parents don't bat an eye at books with violent content, but will have a conniption over the vaguest sexual references. I don't suppose that's anything new. It's okay to hack someone to bits, but don't you dare engage in the act of physical love. That's a sin!
7. Do you think schools place too much emphasis on particular themes or ideas when choosing their curriculum? If so, which ones?
I've observed an over the top effort to be multi-cultural in both book selections and in the selections in textbooks. My school is 75% African American, yet students are frequently asking, "How come all these stories are about racism? Why can't we just read regular stories?"
I've also noticed that our school's novel sets are outdated Newberry Award winners. I've been working on getting a selection of more recent titles.
8. Are there any authors you would remove from school curricula who are presently well-represented? Why?
Not at my school. Of course, I live in the "Bible Belt" so the Media Committee is pretty careful about what gets through.
9. Are there any authors not represented that you would like to see added generally? Why?
Mark Twain has been removed from many libraries because of the use of the "N word." I think that's a shame. High School students are intelligent enough to understand historical context. I wouldn't require a student to read it, but I think his books have value.
10. Is there ONE book (aside from religious works) that you think EVERYONE should read? If so, what book and why?
Anything by David Wood, so I can retire a wealthy man
