Jtc79

1. To bolster the section on controversy and censorship (but not specific cases):

The banning of books in school districts for homosexual and other taboo themes is becoming more and more common. Schools are beginning to explore the inclusion of review boards for educational materials. Rep. Walter Jones, R-N.C., is one leader in this movement, as he has introduced legislation in Congress that would require parent councils to review new books added to the curricula and school library [5].

Teachers have spoken out about not being able to discuss the book in class, even though the subject matter is may be of educational value to the student’s. Many times teachers are not educated on the policy for the introduction of new materials unless the district has recently dealt with a scandal. This can create doubt, second-guesses, and agony in the mind of a teacher about whether or not a work is considered “safe”. Self censorship cannot be accounted for in school districts or by parents because the decision is not in public domain. [3]

Another possible explanation for teacher resistance to this and other texts in the curriculum relies on a view of adolescence as a "fiction" [7].

“Now, I feel like I've betrayed everyone because I planned on killing myself today. I was so ready to swallow the pills and just let my heart give out, but reading your book gave me a reason to not kill myself. It made me think about everything.” [1]

“I heard an expression a long time ago that I thought was very beautiful that says that ‘he who saves a single life saves the world entire.’” [1]

1. Specific Case:

The Perks of Being a Wallflower has been critically acclaimed for its candid treatment of teenagers, touching on topics such as suicide, sexual abuse, homosexuality, masturbation, and drug use. These topics have also led to widespread challenges of the book, frequently putting it on ALA’s annual list of the most challenged and banned books. In Wallingford, Connecticut, Jean Pierre Bolat, parent and now a Board of Education member, filed a formal complaint petitioning to have [the Perks of Being a Wallflower] removed from his son’s freshman class after having a conversation with his son regarding the book’s inclusion of themes such as homosexuality, masturbation, sex, and what he calls, a “glorification of alcohol use and drugs.” A review committee decided to keep the book as part of the reading list, but Bolat appealed the decision. In February, Superintendent Salvatore Menzo removed the book from the curriculum, and he has stood by that decision despite opposition. [4] A Connecticut news source that has been following the ban, spoke with Chbosky, who is offended by Bolat’s attack on his book: “The entire book is a blueprint for survival. It’s for people who have been through terrible things and need hope and support,” he explained. “The idea of taking two pages out of context and creating an atmosphere as perverse is offensive to me — deeply offensive.” [4] Eventually this was overturned and documented by the National Coalition Against Censorship. As the NCAC stated in its letter to the Wallingford school board, the decision to remove the book absent any educational rationale was “both educationally and legally suspect,” and it flew in the face of the district’s own guidelines: “While the Board of Education upholds the right of all parents to assess and evaluate their own children’s educational materials, it will resist any attempt to censor materials used by others.” [5]