This response is a little OT but related. I would like to hear what the
LMSs from the States think about this. On the weekend, I sat through two
showings of _Bowling for Columbine_ (I am a huge Michael Moore fan). For
those of you who haven't seen the film, he looks at reasons for the high
rate of death from gunshots in the States (over 11,000/per year compared
with about 160 in Canada, 68 in the UK, and 65 in Australia). One of his
theses seems to be that the media in the US keeps people in a state of fear
by broadcasting the most sensational, bloody crimes, particularly focusing
on African American men. They also focus on terrorism (not that it isn't
newsworthy). Also, the politicians, by using generalized terms like "the
evil-doers" without being specific, tend to create an atmosphere of
generalized fear amongst the American people. I have also noticed that
there are numerous and regular postings about book challenges from US LMSs,
whereas where I live (in Canada), I don't even know anyone who has faced a
book challenge. In fact, one of the teacher-librarians in my district was
challenged for not putting a book on her shelves! Do you think that my
perception is true and that there are more challenges in the US than
elsewhere, and if so, could it be related to the culture of fear that
Michael Moore talks about in _Bowling for Columbine_ by creating a fear in
parents about what their children may or may not be exposed to? Or maybe I
just think too much ;-)
Diane Gallagher-Hayashi
Teacher-Librarian
Stelly's School
Saanich School District (63)
Saanichton, British Columbia
Canada
Diane_Hayashi@sd63.bc.ca
daichan@islandnet.com
"I may not be an explorer, or an adventurer, or a treasure-seeker, or a
gunfighter, Mr. O'Connell, but I am proud of what I am...I, am a librarian!"
The Mummy
Diane Gallagher-Hayashi
Teacher-Librarian
Stelly's School
Saanich School District (63)
Saanichton, British Columbia
Canada
Diane_Hayashi@sd63.bc.ca
daichan@islandnet.com
"I may not be an explorer, or an adventurer, or a treasure-seeker, or a
gunfighter, Mr. O'Connell, but I am proud of what I am...I, am a librarian!"
The Mummy
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jane Perry" <perocon@DIALMAINE.COM>
To: <LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU>
Sent: Tuesday, February 04, 2003 7:23 AM
Subject: MID: Challenge:Kissing Doorknobs by Terry Hesser
> Dear LM_NET Colleagues,
> Our school received a call yesterday from a parent (of an 11 yr. old =
> 6th
> grader) who was upset about the choice of this title for our next book
> discussion group. My principal spoke with her and indicated to me that
> nothing short of removing the book from our school would satisfy this =
> woman
> and asked me to give her a call. First of all let me give you a little
> background : our book discussion groups meet approximately once each =
> month
> after school. Any student in grades 6-8 is welcome and it is, of course,
> voluntary. THe group of students who attend the very first meeting =
> determine
> what the titles will be for the year. I provide them with suggestions, =
> they
> are free to add to the suggested titles and then a vote is taken. THis
> woman's daughter has just joined the group last month. I provide copies =
> of
> the titles to any student who would like to join us. THis year the funds
> come from a donation from our Student Council. THe woman objects to
> references in the book to sexual activity, getting high and smoking. ( I
> haven't reached the section in the book she objects to yet myself, the =
> book
> is about obsessive compulsive disorder). ANyway, I am going to provide =
> her
> with a copy of our objectionable materials policy, and hope for the =
> best.
> But it certainly has raised questions for me that I didn't consider =
> prior to
> this incident. This woman is not satisfied with my answer that the group =
> is
> voluntary and her daughter is not forced to attend, but rather feels =
> that
> the choices offered throughout the year should all be "safe"(my word, =
> for
> lack of a better one) enough for her daughter to be able to attend. She =
> told
> me she was "shocked and horrified" that I would even have this book in =
> the
> library. I've never been through a challenge before and it's hard not =
> to
> take it personally. But for those of you who offer book discussion =
> groups
> for your students, do you stay away from potentially controversial =
> titles?
> Do you separate the grade levels and offer something different for =
> younger
> students? Have I been remiss in not sending home some type of
> notification/disclaimer to parents? I started offering these discussion
> groups 3 years ago and I do it on my own time - it's not a "funded"
> activity, but quite frankly, if I have to start screening the potential
> titles for any hints of controversy, I think I will just cease to offer
> this. Any insight, advice, etc. you can offer will be greatly =
> appreciated.
> Thanks.
>
> Jane Perry/School Library Media Specialist
> Winslow Jr. High Library
> 10 Danielson ST.
> Winslow, ME 04901
> jperry@winslow-jhs.u52.k12.me.us
>
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