Fairfax County Moms tries to ban a book - Washington Post article

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I dont have a position on this, but I think a primary point missing from this discussion is that teachers cannot show excerpts from the movie without parental notice and like subject matter is prohibited via the Internet on school computers, but these same restrictions are ignored in written material.

But you can opt out from reading the book. Same thing.

[Anonymous]

This whole story is so hilarious. A 17 year old is disturbed by a book and his mommy takes up the torch even though he is now 19 and in COLLEGE? And he willingly gave an interview, with his name attached, confirming he was just so horribly affected by this book? LOL.

[Anonymous]

16:32 - well that's bullshit. Besides, it's a terrific work of fiction....why would it be banned?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:16:32 - well that's bullshit. Besides, it's a terrific work of fiction....why would it be banned?

I know, right? All that infanticide, incest, and rape...just good, old-fashioned values.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It gets banned because its subject matter is difficult (really difficult) to read. Critics (mostly parents) cite the novel's treatment of bestiality, infanticide, racism, and sex as inappropriate for underage readers. As recently as 2007 and 2008, Beloved was pulled from library shelves in Kentucky, Idaho, and Illinois by concerned parents and school boards.

"Concerned parents" can worry about their own damn children and let me make my own decisions for my kid. I have not read this book and so don't have an opinion on its propriety for my kid. But, I do NOT need someone do dictate that decision to me.

I find her actions repulsive.

[Anonymous]

It is bizarre to me that they included 3 photos of this woman in different staged shots, looking pensive. overkill, much? I can't imagine this complaint getting any traction, given this material is for 17-18 yr old AP students and that their is an opt-out system in place already. But perhaps the fact she comes off looking so ludicrous in this article will discourage others from following in her footsteps.

[Anonymous]

Why did they even give this woman the time of day? "Beloved" is considered the best work of American fiction of the last 25 years by the NY Times.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It gets banned because its subject matter is difficult (really difficult) to read. Critics (mostly parents) cite the novel's treatment of bestiality, infanticide, racism, and sex as inappropriate for underage readers. As recently as 2007 and 2008, Beloved was pulled from library shelves in Kentucky, Idaho, and Illinois by concerned parents and school boards.

"Concerned parents" can worry about their own damn children and let me make my own decisions for my kid. I have not read this book and so don't have an opinion on its propriety for my kid. But, I do NOT need someone do dictate that decision to me.

I find her actions repulsive.

Please read the book and then share your thoughts. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

"Concerned parents" can worry about their own damn children and let me make my own decisions for my kid. I have not read this book and so don't have an opinion on its propriety for my kid. But, I do NOT need someone do dictate that decision to me.

I find her actions repulsive.

I haven't read the book and have no view on it personally. I am quite surprised that any parent places so much faith in the school system that they would give it a blanket approval on anything it wants to teach.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I heard the book was overly exaggerated attempt to point out how bad slavery was.

Because reading it would be too hard for you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:16:32 - well that's bullshit. Besides, it's a terrific work of fiction....why would it be banned?

I know, right? All that infanticide, incest, and rape...just good, old-fashioned values.

You think it didn't happen? You think slaves realizing what awaited did not kill their children and others? And let me guess all the children born from slaves and masters were consensual, right? After all real rape doesn't allow pregnancy.Trust me hon the truth is sadder than Beloved.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:16:32 - well that's bullshit. Besides, it's a terrific work of fiction....why would it be banned?

I know, right? All that infanticide, incest, and rape...just good, old-fashioned values.

Where was there incest in the book? I don't remember any, but of course it was in college that I read it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I dont have a position on this, but I think a primary point missing from this discussion is that teachers cannot show excerpts from the movie without parental notice and like subject matter is prohibited via the Internet on school computers, but these same restrictions are ignored in written material.

But you can opt out from reading the book. Same thing.

The wording was that someone could opt out if they found the book offensive - as in - they have to actually read it first - to figure out if it is offensive (this is how I read the article, it could be much different in reality).. Plus, for movies, the school has to give notice. With books, it sounds like they just hand them out without warning about the material. I'm not saying I support this mom, but I also never read the book. But I do wonder if there is a real need to read a book about beastility and gang rape. I wouldn't go as far as banning the book, but I don't really see why the teachers feel the need to include it as a lesson. I mean, we all are questioning why there is so much violence in the world. And yet there are two pages of people saying its ridiculous that a teenager isn't already desensitized toward gang rape and beastiality. Maybe we should be applauding the fact that at least one child made it that far in life without thinking "oh heck, gang rape happens."

But I also have a young child - hard for me to imagine him as a teen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:16:32 - well that's bullshit. Besides, it's a terrific work of fiction....why would it be banned?

I know, right? All that infanticide, incest, and rape...just good, old-fashioned values.

Where was there incest in the book? I don't remember any, but of course it was in college that I read it.

Maybe it's because the slave owners would rape everyone?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:16:32 - well that's bullshit. Besides, it's a terrific work of fiction....why would it be banned?

I know, right? All that infanticide, incest, and rape...just good, old-fashioned values.

Where was there incest in the book? I don't remember any, but of course it was in college that I read it.

Maybe it's because the slave owners would rape everyone?

Thiese statements are referring to the Bible, not the book in the article.