I ran across this excellent post about book banning and censorship, and in light of the disgraceful situation we have going on with the attempted book banning in Howell, it seemed like a perfect opportunity to post it.
Camille, who runes the blog, told me all of the examples of censorship by what she calls “book banning know nothing nutters” actually happened and are “ripped from the headlines,” for you “Law and Order” fans. We know that’s true because we here in Howell have seen some of these very things happen from the so-called “LOVE” group.
If you love to read, love books and love to talk about them check out her blog the “Book Moot.”
It occurs to me that I should be clear. There is a difference between a concerned parent and a book banning know nothing nutter.
I love concerned parents.
Both a Concerned Parent and a BBKNN may not have read a children's book since their Betsy & Tacey / Go Dog Go days and are genuinely distressed by something in a children's or YA book
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A Concerned Parent reviews the book their child has checked out of the library
whereas
A BBKNN is working from a list they found on the internet and checking to see if the school library has any of the titles.
*******
A Concerned Parent talks to their child's teacher, librarian or principal about the book. They have a discussion with the librarian and others about the book.
whereas
A BBKNN goes directly to the school board demanding the book be banned.
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A Concerned Parent is genuinely worried about the effect a book has on their child and should be applauded for taking an interest in their child's reading life.
whereas
A BBKNN is primarily interested in the newspaper article about their school board appearance.
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A Concerned Parent works with the librarian to offer alternative reading choices to their child and the parent talks to their child about the books they expect them to read.
whereas
A BBKNN sends their kid into the library to check out yet ANOTHER controversial book so they can add it to their list of grievances.
*******
A Concerned Parent may determine that their child's reading selections need exploring and realize this is an opportunity to discuss certain issues with their child.
whereas
A BBKNN begins an email campaign maligning the librarian and expressing outrage over the presence of the book in the library and on the planet Earth.
*******
A Concerned Parent realizes that they can make reading choices for their own child but have no right to determine reading selections for other people's children.
whereas
A BBKNN complains about the book to people where he/she works and vows to "take the book down."
*******
A Concerned Parent may still honestly feel a book needs to be reconsidered after they have read it and they file paper work to have the book reconsidered.
whereas
A BBKNN files paperwork to challenge the book without reading the book in its entirety and goes through and picks words and scenes out of context to include in the complaint.
*******
A Concerned Parent reads the report of the reconsideration committee and finds a) the committee has agreed with the concerned parent or b) accepts that others have found value and merit in the book and is resigned that the book will remain on the shelf.
whereas
A BBKNN reads the report of the reconsideration committee and finds a) the committee has agreed with the BBKNN or b) shrieks in frustration that others have found value and merit in the book and is NOT resigned that the book will remain on the shelf.
Instead they immediately escalate and file an appeal vowing to take their complaint all the way to the state board of education.
*******
Concerned parents are concerned with the welfare of their own child.
whereas
BBKNNs' own children are not part of the equation because they don't let their kids read “those kinds of books” anyway.
I love concerned parents.
I also want to urge people to “Take the Banned Book Challenge” as part of Freedom to Read Week that begins Monday. Pelham Public Library in Fonthill, Ontario is sponsoring the challenge, and they are asking people to set a goal to read as many banned or challenged books as you wish between Feb. 26 and June 30, 2007. Readers can visit the Pelham Public Library’s Fahrenheit 451: Banned Book Blog to set your goal and report on your progress with an online form.
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