I believe it was Buddy Armor who spoke up warning the school board that banning books can lead to a lot of exposure. His words are starting to ring true.
The article, Student, parents defend book, mentions the National Coalition against Censorship taking notice.
"The National Coalition against Censorship is forming a response to the school board with those sentiments.
Rebecca Zeidel, coalition coordinator, said it is the first amendment right of parents to choose what their children reads, but it is not their right to dictate what other children read."
Next, a letter to the editor is in the paper. Book broadens minds, speaks up in favor of "The Kite Runner". The letter was written by Dr. Ita Killbride, a professor of Education at Lees-McRae College.
We also have two students writing letters in favor of academic freedom. Dana Middleton wrote Can't Shield Students and Tori Thomas wrote Student Defends Book.
Finally we have Larry Smith telling everyone one it is just Sour Grapes He writes, "We have a few people complaining about so-called problems in the school system". We actually have someone from the National Coalition Against Censorship, a college professor, and two high school students.
He then writes, "I remember the past board doing things that people didn't like, but they didn't holler sour grapes like is being screamed now." Yes they did and they did it very well. So well that they got themselves elected to the school board. And I am pretty sure this is not your first letter to the editor (back me up in the comments).
He ends the letter with, "By the way, I didn't get a job I applied for the other day and my wife is still ticked off." It is funny how the letters by students were more professional and better written than Larry Smith's.
I hope to get more students involved, I will need your help on my next post.
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I commend the stands of Ms. Thomas, Ms. Middleton, the good professor at Lees-McRea, and Rev. Matthews. To condemn a literary work as filth and pornography is foolish and dangerous. To do so in the capacity of an elected member of the board of education speaks volumns about our electorate, their regard for learning, and their faith in the professionalism of our teachers.
These "moral" adults who claim a divine calling and make irresponsible generalizations do our students an injustice by promoting fear and ignorance. They do not understand how a book like The Kite Runner can empower or enlight. They see morality and godliness as too fragile and too shakable. They appear to have no faith in how grace has prepared our kids to use discernment and good sense.
How ridiculous of our board chair and vice-chair to even suggest the suspension of policy in order to gain favor with their political base. But I'm thinking that that base may be seeing and growing tired of the incessant folly of their favorite son and daughter.
I do not believe that our Heavenly Father nor our earthly parents appreciate this blatant misrepresentation of truth or this mockery of courage by folks elected and charged with setting the course for our kids' education.
The new board majority would rather challenge books, films, and music than challenge students. What rational person could believe that God is incapable of using a book like The Kite Runner for His own purpose? What moral genius worships a God that is so small?
I am currently reading The Kite Runner, and thus far, I am deeply saddened my Ms. Norman and Mr. Barnard's sensational description of the rape scene. The scene, as many others have pointed out, is not gratuitous. Nor is it graphic. It was not written to evoke any sort of sexual response in the reader. Rather, it serves to point out the brutality of social injustice and class devision.
Also, have Norman and Barnard read the book? According to the News Herald's article, Norman said that she would be embarassed to read a passage from the book because of its vulgarity. That comment leads those who have not read the book to think that it is pornographic in nature. It is not. Norman's comments also lead people to believe that the book is rife with inappropriate language. It is not. Inappropriate language is rarely used, and when it is, illustrates the theme of the book. The characters do not curse for the sake of teaching our children curse words. In fact, I've heard more inappropriate language in movies rated PG-13. (Movies formwhich tenth graders are old enough to buy tickets.) The only vulgarity exists in the minds of those who have only read one or two dogeared pages, or who have not read it at all and still pass judgment.
The citizenry of Burke County, of which I am a resident, need to remember that we are supposed to be rearing our children to compete and interact in a wider, global community. Understanding other cultures and their histories is just as necessary as learning the history of our state. We cannot isolate, nor can we insulate, if we truly want our children to become leaders who can fight such atrocities as oppression and intolerance. Burke County's children need to be aware of the wonders and the atrocities in the outside world. We do them an injustice in letting them think they are not connected to events across the globe. As concerned parents and educators, we must guide them through these issues. Turning a blind eye will help no one in the end.
Obviously Tracy hasn't read the book. She commented in that it makes her sick to her stomach that a grown man stands by while another grown man rapes a little boy. That is not how the scene unfolds at all. I guess reading comprehension isn't her strong suit.
If she was referring to the fact that Hassan's son was turned over to Assef later in the book, then she should realize that the man who allowed the child to be taken away did so in order to save dozens of other children. It is a terrible situation, but not uncommon in worn-torn and/or oppressed countries. The teens in our area need to be aware of these terrible acts. They need to realize that there is more going on in the world than trips to the mall. They must be taught to THINK about what happens around them, around the country, and around the world. We want our children to stand for what is right and just, don't we? If we don't allow them to learn, think, and discuss, then they will not be equipped to make moral and intelligent decisions.
"...books are not absolutely dead things, but do contain a potency of life in them to be as active as that soul was whose progeny they are; nay, they do preserve as in a vial the purest efficacy and extraction of that living intellect that bred them. I know they are as lively, and as vigorously productive, as those fabulous dragon's teeth: and being sown up and down, may chance to spring up armed men. And yet, on the other hand, unless wariness be used, as good almost kill a man as kill a good book: who kills a man kills a reasonable creature, God's image; but he who destroys a good book, kills reason itself, kills the image of God, as it were, in the eye." ~ John Milton
I want my children to be thinkers. One of God's greatest gifts to mankind is reason. Please Tim and Tracy, don't take that away from our schools.
recipe:
one pot
fill with shit
stir, enjoy.
To add to the "Sour Grapes" editorial, I also remember some campaign promises board members made, too, to look out for the interest of the people and the community. Whether they are really doing this now, or just kowtowing to a few only time will tell. I didn't vote for them, and there were probably some voters who got caught up in the "stink" over naming the two new high schools in Burke County, and were hoping for a change. I'm sure there are many voters who now regret placing these board members in office. Sour grapes? Well, something has definitely soured, and Aesop's fox doesn't need to make that judgement for me to believe it.
Dear 2/24/08 8:05am,
I do believe that Ms. Norman was referring to the child molestation scene on pages 279-281, where Assef was molesting Sohrab in front of the two guards.
Thank you, though, for your compassionate concern over Ms. Norman's reading comprehension. Those sentiments are so helpful to the students of Burke County, as well as those who are working to educate them.
Ms. Norman must have been molested as a child.
Does Tracy even know the Supreme Court's stance on pornography? The "You'll know it when you see it test" or the more popular "limp-dick standard" required by some Justices. AWESOME!
HEY TRACY, NEXT TIME YOU HAVE A THOUGHT....let it go.
Does School maintance drive county vehicles home?? If so why?? I heard of guns being sold at maintance shop??
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