From the Vault: Be a rebel…read a book
I was reminded that Banned Books Week is coming up by reading of an unfortunate event that happened in my own state. Dustbury writes
Author Ellen Hopkins was scheduled to speak to eighth-graders at Whittier Middle School today about her career, writing process and books.
Hopkins is the author of several New York Times best-selling books for young adults. She was notified Thursday her visit was canceled because a parent at the school requested a review of her book Glass.
The free-verse novel is the second in a series about a teen dealing with drug addiction. The novel is loosely based on Hopkins’ experience with her own daughter, who was addicted to methamphetamine.
He’s got a good roundup on this issue, so please head on over and read more.
In honor of Banned Books Week, here is a repost from last year’s event, with updated links for books and events for this year.
Banned Books Week: Celebrating the Freedom to Read is observed during the last week of September each year. Observed since 1982, this annual ALA event reminds Americans not to take this precious democratic freedom for granted.
BBW celebrates the freedom to choose or the freedom to express one’s opinion even if that opinion might be considered unorthodox or unpopular and stresses the importance of ensuring the availability of those unorthodox or unpopular viewpoints to all who wish to read them. After all, intellectual freedom can exist only where these two essential conditions are met.
We often hear about someone not being happy that their precious child might happen to see something that the parent doesn’t want them to see when they go to the library. PROTECT TEH CHILDREN!!! is very often the reason given for a book being challenged or taken off the shelves. (Sally Kern is noted for wanting to decide what we can and can’t read, for instance. Those evil gays…) Thankfully though, we have some kick ass librarians who don’t like being told what people can and can’t read.
So in honor of BBW, check out the list of 2008-2009’s most challenged books, and read one you haven’t read yet. Or at least help spread the word, and if possible check out some of the BBW events! Unfortunately there are no events listed for Oklahoma, but there’s gotta be something going on somewhere. Any Okies with more info, please let me know and/or spread the word!
UPDATE! The ACLU of Oklahoma and Full Circle Bookstore are celebrating on Oct 1st at 6:30pm!
Technorati tags: banned books week, censorship, american library association, freedom to read
Posted in Political Rants, Main Punk Blog, From the Vault |