Banning books

[6265AT99]

I too have read that story and if, indeed, it is true,then all I have to say is God help this country when these "children" are of age to be running things!!!  I believe we are not raising strong individuals anymore but just a bunch of whiny babies who can't grow up and I also believe that parents and school teachers have a lot to do with that - you cannot keep giving children praise for the things that are done and never let them learn what "disappointment" is whether it be in a scholastic way, a sporting way or even in a parenting way!!   

[countrygirl12]

I just read a story about a school district banning two books - Too Kill a Mockingbird and Huckleberry Finn - because of some inappropriate language. Thoughts on this?

I saw this as well.  But I do not think it is because of language.  I have never read to Kill a Mockingbird.  I have read Huckleberry Finn.  It is the same with wanting to ban everything to do with the Confederate Flag.  Some pansy who gets their feelings hurt if somebody wears the wrong color shirt complained.  This country cannot go on like this.  I saw a story on Yahoo where a kid in preschool wore leggings with cartoon monsters on them.  Another mother complained that they were too scary and scared her kid.  So the preschool who does not have a dress code told his mother that he cannot wear the scary pants any more.  Smh.

[dinkydawes]

I just read a story about a school district banning two books - Too Kill a Mockingbird and Huckleberry Finn - because of some inappropriate language. Thoughts on this?

I saw this as well.  But I do not think it is because of language.  I have never read to Kill a Mockingbird.  I have read Huckleberry Finn.  It is the same with wanting to ban everything to do with the Confederate Flag.  Some pansy who gets their feelings hurt if somebody wears the wrong color shirt complained.  This country cannot go on like this.  I saw a story on Yahoo where a kid in preschool wore leggings with cartoon monsters on them.  Another mother complained that they were too scary and scared her kid.  So the preschool who does not have a dress code told his mother that he cannot wear the scary pants any more.  Smh.

I saw that legging story on Yahoo as well, people are morons. And since I love reading, and haven't read these novels yet, will make sure to get to the Library and check them out.

[Gxldvn]

I think it depends on what type of school it is. I understand if its for elementry kids. But Middle schoolers and high schoolers are already exposed to these words and most of them use the words.

[stretch1967]

That is sad. Too many things are being pulled because of ignorance. God help us!

[paints]

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn was published in 1884.  Its' first ban was in 1885.  They said it was  “trash and suitable only for the slums.”

To Kill a Mockingbird was banned in my high school.  This was during the late 60s.  It was called "a degrading, profane and racist work that “promotes white supremacy.”  Or "one of the greatest texts teens can study in an American literature class."

Banning books don't keep people from reading them.  In fact, it makes them more likely to be sought out and read, if for no other reason than to see what all the fuss is about.

http://www.bannedbooksweek.org/censorship/bannedbooksthatshapedamerica

[braggin]

I think both these books are American classics and it is up to the teacher to explain any bad language as having been the reality of the time in which they were written but are no longer an appropriate or acceptable way of speaking.

[countrygirl12]

I'm guessing they were banned due to the use of the N-word. In the case of Huckleberry Finn, I'm sure they could censor the word so kids can still read it, as it's a children's classic.

It doesn't need to be censored.  Kids need to learn that the world is full of people who are all different.  And not everyone is going to agree with you.  Kids are screaming the F word by the first grade.  And it has nothing to do with books.  It has to do with what mommy and daddy say.  You think they don't hear but they do.  Or the parents just do not care.  People are such wusses these days.  They seem to think they are not allowed to be "offended".  Or basically they know that is the word to yell.  I don't like what you say or think so I scream I am "offended" and I can shut you down.   It is not different than kids yelling "shut up" when somebody says something they do not agree with.

[countrygirl12]

I too have read that story and if, indeed, it is true,then all I have to say is God help this country when these "children" are of age to be running things!!!  I believe we are not raising strong individuals anymore but just a bunch of whiny babies who can't grow up and I also believe that parents and school teachers have a lot to do with that - you cannot keep giving children praise for the things that are done and never let them learn what "disappointment" is whether it be in a scholastic way, a sporting way or even in a parenting way!!   

lol We aren't.  We are raising a bunch of pansies with their "safe space" where you go hug your teddy bear and cry when somebody doesn't agree with something you think is okay.

[countrygirl12]

I just read a story about a school district banning two books - Too Kill a Mockingbird and Huckleberry Finn - because of some inappropriate language. Thoughts on this?

I saw this as well.  But I do not think it is because of language.  I have never read to Kill a Mockingbird.  I have read Huckleberry Finn.  It is the same with wanting to ban everything to do with the Confederate Flag.  Some pansy who gets their feelings hurt if somebody wears the wrong color shirt complained.  This country cannot go on like this.  I saw a story on Yahoo where a kid in preschool wore leggings with cartoon monsters on them.  Another mother complained that they were too scary and scared her kid.  So the preschool who does not have a dress code told his mother that he cannot wear the scary pants any more.  Smh.

I saw that legging story on Yahoo as well, people are morons. And since I love reading, and haven't read these novels yet, will make sure to get to the Library and check them out.

I have never read to Kill a Mockingbird but did read Huckleberry Finn.  I did not see anything wrong with it at all.
It is kind of long though. lol  And if I were the parent of the toddler in preschool he would wear scary pants every day.  And the other kid was most likely not scared at all.  The busy body nosey mother just wanted something to complain about.  Goes back to what I just said.  Yelling "shut up" and somebody.  I don't agree with what your kid wears so I can say I am "offended" or my kid is scared of your kid's pants and I can shut you down.  If her kid is that scared of the outside world perhaps she needs to keep her at home another year.

[countrygirl12]

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn was published in 1884.  Its' first ban was in 1885.  They said it was  “trash and suitable only for the slums.”

To Kill a Mockingbird was banned in my high school.  This was during the late 60s.  It was called "a degrading, profane and racist work that “promotes white supremacy.”  Or "one of the greatest texts teens can study in an American literature class."

Banning books don't keep people from reading them.  In fact, it makes them more likely to be sought out and read, if for no other reason than to see what all the fuss is about.

http://www.bannedbooksweek.org/censorship/bannedbooksthatshapedamerica

Maybe I need to check this book out and see what it is about.  And all they are doing by trying to ban them is making the people read them more.  Two on here have said they will check them out because of all the fuss.  As far as I know neither my grade school nor my high school banned any books.

[countrygirl12]

I think both these books are American classics and it is up to the teacher to explain any bad language as having been the reality of the time in which they were written but are no longer an appropriate or acceptable way of speaking.

I do not think the "teacher" needs to explain anything.  Parents need to PARENT.  None of the words in those books are not used today.  Black people call each other n*gers all the time.  Especially guys.  Heck lately I have even heard white people called that. lol.  And we aren't talking about reading the books as a class project but if a kid wants to do a book report on them then let them.  What's next The Diary of Anne Frank?  People are just too cry baby these days.  While we are all off sucking our thumbs in our safe space somebody gonna come in here from another country and take over.  Oh wait, I think they already have. lol

[Liquidfire_43]

Public Schools banned a lot of books. To be honest I don't understand the big deal, yeah sure it might be graphic to read but compare to the stuff you see in the internet, outside, home, and television/movies, it doesn't compare to it.

I used to read The Catcher in the Rye, as a summer book in HS and that was eventually banned too

[ancmetro]

    By the way: Some books are nuisance...a health hazard!

[JaniceSW]

I'm not sure what the childrens' ages were, but to ban classics that have been around for years and teach valuable lessons is ridiculous.  Too much emphasis on political correctness and the occasional person who complains about everything just to hear themself complain.  Part of the lesson would be for the teacher and/or parent to explain anything that might be offensive to someone and why!