Book Banning

[WonderWomanGoddess]

Let's see if this will get some interesting conversation going in here.

Right now, a school district in my area is pushing to ban Margret Atwood's A Handmaiden's Tale. Why? Claims from parents, or a parent, who knows, that it is sexually graphic.

For those who haven't read this book, you must read it. It is on my top ten books that must be read by all peoples! It's right up there with 1984, but lacks it's recognition in my opinion, because it's centered on women's roles, patriarchal society, etc. This is also, in my opinion why these people want the book banned.

The book has one scene in a brothel, but no real 'graphic' to me sex in that scene. There is one sex scene, and it is not graphic at all, compared to 'sex education'. It's about the emotion of free human connection.

So, what does everyone else think?

Any thoughts on the messages of the book as a whole? Wieght ins on whether the sex contained is graphic or not?

And what about book bannings in general? Clan of the Cave Bear was banned from my school, and that book, and series is one of my favorites, with an excellent female role model for the protagonist. Am I sensing a theme here?

Opinions, opinions, I'm soliciting them....

[Kwick22a]

Well, I can't comment on the book itself as I haven't read it, but as far as book banning is concerned I am definitely against it. I mean I can understand if a parent doesn't want their child exposed to certain materials, but I think that's really a conversation that needs to take place between the parents and the child. Also I think people should take the time to check the book, read it themselves, before getting on the ban wagon. It seems, to me, that a lot of people are willing to take a stand against something based mostly on what they've heard rather than what they've experienced.
I'm sure there's more I could say about this but at the moment I am very tired and having trouble organizing my thoughts. If I think of something else I'll post it later.

[easy D]

You know, there was some controversy about a ceratin book (whose name escapes me at the moment) over the use of some racial slurs spoken by the main character. However, the story goes on and the dude has his life saved by a black dude, and the guy changes his ways. Something like that.

Anyways, a lot of parents were offended by the use of (I'll be politcally correct here) "the N-word", and demanded that the book be pulled from the library. I just think that's ridiculous.

Now, I've never read A Handmaiden's Tale, I doubt any of the people who are pushing the ban have read it. It's like that Family Guy episode. People in power get a call about being offended and suddenly everyone's up in arms.

It's the uneducated few trying to dumb down everything else.

[WonderWomanGoddess]

Update on the situation with the Handmaiden's tale:

It was taken to the school board, and the vote was 5-2 in favor of keeping the book, therefore it has been reinstated. I was right, it was just one parent who wanted it banned. At the meeting, five people spoke against it, counting the one parent's husband and herself. A dozen students, ten teachers, and one other parent spoke for it. (where have all the parents gone?!) 200 high school students showed up in support of the book.

Here is part of speech made by a male senior, keeping in mind the protagonist of the book is a woman, who's child has been taken from her, husband killed and is forced into this highly ritualized sexual slavery.

"the sexual content in the book was being taken out of context. If anything, he said, the book is a cautionary tale that teaches students to respect their bodies and respect the rights of others.

"It made me stop. It made me think. It made me reflect," he said. "If I had not had a chance to read this book, I feel I would've been cheated out of an opportunity to learn and grow."

Another male senior had this to say in part of his speech, to cheers and applause from the audience.

"If we do ban 'The Handmaid's Tale' because of sexual content, then why not ban 'Huckleberry Finn' for racism? Why not ban 'The Crucible' for witchcraft? Why not ban 'The Things They Carried' for violence..."

And really that's the problem with Banning (aside from already being protected from it by our constitution). Where does it stop? Writing is a form of expression and creativity, just like art and music, and many other forms. It's pivotal to the evolution of human mind and society, but yet cannot be regulated by bodies of authority, nor based upon society's reaction.

Except for the FCC or the Comics Code Authority, or Lieberman! and none of the above can stop you from making it. ...But without more defense of our rights, they might very well be able to keep you from reaching a wide audience, or making any money.

[thenightwatchman]

it all sounds a bit Nuremburg Ralley to me. if a book creates that kinda extreme opinion from people, then its always gotta be worth reading.