Censorship

Wow!  I was deeply challenged by the reading material for class this week.  It reminded me of a story one of my education professors told me when she was a 6^th reading teacher.  For a period of 12 years, her school district taught a unit using Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Patterson.  This book is one of my favorite books I read during middle school.  I thought it would be great to create a secret world with my best friend and escape from all of my problems.  Well, I was shocked to learn that my professor’s school district suddenly banned the book.  A SINGLE parent made a complaint about the book.  The basis of the complaint was that Patterson is a Christian (her husband is a well known preacher) and her philosophies were promoting an afterlife (i.e. “escaping into a fantasy world”).  After class that day, I went straight to my dorm room and re-read Bridge to Terabithia.  My opinion is this parent has not read the actual novel because Terabithia never mentions or applies any Christian philosophies.  I have a hard time understanding how one person can stop a whole body of people from learning.

I was surprised about the different opinions expressed by the educators in the “Ripple Effect of Censorship.”  Anne struck a chord with me because I can understand her viewpoint.  My parents made the decision to put me in public schools because it is unrealistic in the real world to everyone have the same beliefs.  When I graduated from high school, I turned down a scholarship to a prestigious Christian college because I wanted understand how to interact with students and colleagues that are different from me.  Unlike Anne, I could NEVER censor books based on my religious convictions.  I know that not every student will have the same morals and beliefs that I have.  I have a very open mind to what I like to read and I hope I can be a model for my students to push themselves.

Another teacher featured in the article that made an impact on me was Ellen.  I thought it was interesting how she involved students and their parents.  It is a great way for students to involve their families in what they are learning in school.  I love how if there is some sort of problem arises, she allows the student to pick another book.  By permitting students to do this, it creates an open discussion instead of creating a divide between parents and educators.  I could see how this model could successfully work in my classroom.

My conclusion is that there is not a single way that you can look at censorship. As I read, I struggled with the questions like “How would I have approached this subject” or “Would I fight to teach this book or would I quietly obey the rules?”  Actually, these questions made me think about The Chocolate War with the poster that said “Do I dare disturb the universe?” Pardon a country song reference, but you have know when to hold them and when to fold them.  If you fight for every single book that is challenged, you could come off as a “difficult” person and no one will listen.  If you are passive and allow everything to be dictated to you, no one will take you seriously.  I think if an educator believes that a certain book must be taught because it will benefit the students, then they should pursue defending it.  I think that we owe it to our students to model behavior where we can stand up for ourselves.