Originally posted by Quadriflax@Nov. 23 2002, 2:09 pm
Um, no. My girlfriend's brother read Huck Finn last year in 7th grade and I read Catcher in the Rye in 11th grade. Unless this is VERY recent, I don't think they're banned. Maybe in some states, but not on a nationwide level.
< RANT AGAIN >
What the Hell? OK....The banned list thingie. These are books that parents/community members, etc. feel should not be read by public school students. I read
The Catcher in the Rye last year in 11th AP Literature. The college prep students (we don't have anything below college prep at my school) were not allowed to read these books. I think what it all basically boils down to is how much local community members bitch about what their kids may or may not read. So, something like....say
Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison, for example, is not permitted to be read by regular high school students if the local parents/community members feel that the book contains "explicit citations of things which are real" (offensive material) to quote The Offspring.
I'm sure you can tell by my 2 posts on this thread that I'm rather divided on the matter. I do think that parents should have some say in what their children learn in public school instituions (you wouldn't want a Christian teaching your child his or her morals if you are Buddhist), but then again, I feel that many parents are stupid and should not be granted this privilege. For example, let's say your mother/father is racist and doesn't want you reading anything written by a member of a different race. I think that's incredibly stupid and that particular parent's concerns should be ignored. I know that statement, in itself, sounds rather narrow-minded since individuals are entitled to hold whatever opinion they choose, and parents should be allowed to moderate what their children are subjected to.
Perhaps once adolescence is reached, a child should begin deciding for him or herself what he or she believes is appropriate media to indulge in. This debate has been roaring for years, though (everything from music to video games to books). It's difficult for any one individual to determine how another individual should raise his or her child and what is appropriate media consumption for said child. I suppose it all comes down to a game of "Who's Morals are Correct?" If you are racist/sexist/homophobic/discriminatory against individuals who are different (no, this does not include murderers, thieves, liars, etc.), then your morals tell you it's OK to tell children this. My morals however, strive for some form of equality, and I believe that it is possible to hold your own opinions without being intrusive upon other people's minds or ideas.
Wow....This has strayed far....I suppose that children should be allowed to read any literature avaible (once they are an adolescent). However, I don't think that anyone should undergo forced subjection to any media if they feel it is offensive to them (once again, LEGITIMATE REASON). Freedom of speech and of the press allows a lot of discriminatory things to be said/written/recorded. I suppose I cannot personally do anything to stop this since I do believe freedom of speech is a generally good thing. But I can think people are stupid for some of the opinions they hold. And I'm sure many people will think I'm stupid for the opinions I hold, but isn't that what makes us all so beautiful?