The issue of book banning and textbook selection is being brought to the forefront by organizations and individuals. A major debate being led by Norma and Mel Gabler against certain textbooks used in public schools has met at the Florida Department of Education in Tallahassee. The Longview, Texas couple have decided to focus attention on Florida because of “liberal backsliding” engineered by commissioner Ralph Turlington.
To combat the “growing assault” on the first amendment, television producer Norman Lear announced the appointment of Barbara Parker to head People For The American Way’s National Schools and Libraries Project. At a press conference yesterday Lear said, “The misinformed new right is behind the like’s of Jerry Falwell and Phyllis Schafly.” Ms. Parker added, “Censorship activities are so well organized, that the only way to combat it is through an equal amount of organization. If 93% of the community does not want Catcher in the Rye, that’s okay. That’s a community decision. My disagreement is that in education today things are being run by vocal control, not local control.”
The textbook selection committee has been hearing objections to the adoption of certain textbooks from interested parties this week. Norma Gabler, who is heading the protest against questionable books testified in open hearings, “The mind’s of the children have been controlled for years by those liberal elements in publishing.” Mrs. Gabler also pointed to a fourth grade text by McDougal, Littel and Co., and objected to a paragraph listing the beneficial qualities of drugs like insulin for diabetes on the grounds that such information is instilling in student minds that the term “drug” refers to a beneficial product. In another textbook by Ginn and Co., the Gabler’s opposed a chapter called “When things go wrong.” Their demand: A positive title ‘When things go right.” In yet another text on American civics, they found fault with an entire chapter because of “an unnecessarily large amount of people protesting.”
In response to the comment made by Gabler, Parker said, “We find it ionic that people who make their living protesting would object to protesting by other’s.” The board of education will accept written rebuttals by supporters of criticized texts.
During the hearing Mr. Gabler said, “Contrary to what our critics claim, we have no control over the textbook selection process in Texas, or any other state. All we want is to let the public see what’s in the textbooks. Our opposition does not want the public to know what’s in them.” The Gabler’s camp has concentrated primarily on world history texts citing problems with the books’ emphasized criticism of capitalism and no mention of socialism or Marxism. In addition, history books should gloss over slavery, the Depression, Watergate, and other episodes that “raise doubts about our system.”
Along with Gabler’s fight against world history and language composition books, they are fervently opposing science materials. They argue that science books should give equal time to biblical world creation and evolution; passively explain human development and sexuality; and downplay the social problems connected to teen pregnancy, venereal diseases, and homosexuality.
Many people are backing the Gabler’s in their assault against questionable school books. Paul Matthew’s of the Texas State Board of Education said, “I feel the Gabler’s are doing a great service. They are ferreting out slang, vulgarities, and things which are unpatriotic.”
According to the 1982 proclamation of the Florida State Board of Education, “Textbook content shall not encourage lifestyles deviating from generally accepted standards of society.” Within the documents obtained from the proclamation, the board maintained that content should promote citizenship and the understanding of the free enterprise system, emphasize patriotism and respect for recognized authority.
From the viewpoint of the average American, comes many distinctly different opinions from two sides of the issue. Lori Prado, a housewife from Downy, California says, “When my son reaches school age , I want the books her reads in school to be scrutinized by someone. I would do the same for him in my home. I would like to see more organizations formed in support of censorship.” Sixteen year old Penny Boyles of Russelville, Alabama said, “My biology teacher refused to teach us about evolution. He said if we wanted to learn about it on our own, fine, but he didn’t believe in it, so he skipped right over it in the book. I’m glad he decided not to teach it, there are just some things I don’t want to know about.”
From the other side of the censorship spectrum comes a remark from Warren James, Utility Assembler of Garden City, Michigan. He said, “Censorship of textbooks is about the best excuse I can think of for a kid to claim he doesn’t know anything because he didn’t learn it in school. This is an information based society. Kids need information to survive.”
Others, not content with the Gabler’s opposition to school textbooks, are speaking out as well. Barbara Parker, of People for the American Way said, “The Gabler’s are not content to decide what their children read and study; they want to decide what your children read and study in public schools.”
A major proponent against banning and the removal of certain textbooks are the publishers. The United States Supreme Court reviewed their decision to bring to trial Random House, Harper Row and other publishing companies, against Island Trees Union free school district in Levittown, New York. The high court ruled that the ban might violate first amendment rights and ordered a trial to determine the reason for the books’ removal. The court ruled 6-1 to reinstate nine previously banned books to school shelves. A school board spokesperson said they wished to avoid a trail and withdrew the ban; however, the spokesperson added, “When a student checks out one of the books on the list, a note will be sent home to the parents informing them of the students’ actions.”
Among the previously banned are: Slaughterhouse Five, by Kurt Vonnegut, and Soul on Ice, by Eldridge Cleaver. During the past twelve months ending June 1, seventy-five books have been either banned or challenged. Among them are: The Merchant of Venice, by Shakespeare; Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath; Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter; Salinger’s Catcher in the Rye; Orwell’s 1984; and Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.
Ray Bradbury’s The Martian Chronicles, and Robert Cormeir’s The Chocolate War, are among the books challenged or banned because of “profanity and the use of God’s name in vain.” And “foul language, violence and the degradation of schools and teachers,” respectively. The list goes on.
At least five of Ms. Blume’s book have been banned throughout the country, and she is not alone. Henry Miller, John Steinbeck, William Faulker, Earnest Hemingway, Aldous Huxley, D.H. Lawrence, Sinclair Lewis, and Mark Twain have all been challenged or banned.
Anne Frank’s diary of her ordeal during the Nazi occupation in World war II was condemned by the Alabama State Textbook Committee on the grounds that it was “a real downer.” The same committee found fault with Henrik Ibsen’s Doll House, written in the 1800’s because it “propagates feminist views.”
Although National Banned Books Week is not being spotlighted by most Jacksonville booksellers, organizations including American Booksellers Association, American Library Association, and the national Association of College Stores want to remind readers about the banning of books.
Maxie Jones of Maxie’s Book Rack, explains the reason why she is not participating. “It’s just apathy. I feel very strong about it. I just don’t think it would receive any attention here.” She added, “I haven’t heard anybody say anything about it in the store. And I am sure every serious book reader is aware books are being banned.”
Leslie Rigoulet, manager of White’s of San Marco said, “No, we are participating. I feel that it does need to be brought to the attention of readers, though. The first amendment is being quietly attacked and nobody seems to care.”
Some booksellers are taking a more aggressive approach to warding off customers who may not be good candidates for some questionable books. The Almar Bookstore in Normandy Mall has an exhibit featuring a skull and crossbones warning readers of reportedly hazardous books. Displayed are banned or challenged books in the front of the store to show people the kinds of books that are being censored. Holly Parker, owner of the store said, “There’s a lot of ignorance about these things. The one that surprised me was the Judy Blume books because I have had gobs of parents buy them for their children for instructional purposes. Banners are simply unenlightened.”
The impact of book banning is plaguing local Jacksonville schools as well. At Sandalwood High School, librarian Rosalyde Cowdry said, “A good number of books on the shelves contain what some people might consider even more offensive than anything they could find in a great book like Catcher In the Rye.” English and writing teacher Bill Gresham added, “It is ridiculous. The experience of the character Holden Caufield mirrors about every attitude of the sixties. For that reason I think it is an important piece of literature. The language and situations depicted in many television shows today is strong compared with Catcher in the Rye. They are not banning books, they are banning ideas.”
Others who work in the education system do not hold the same beliefs. Fletcher High School’s librarian Francis Meide commented, “There are certain works that are appropriate for young people to read, and there are other materials that are vulgar, and have no redeeming virtues that would warrant it being in a high school collection.” She added, “I feel these books should be available on a reserve basis, with permission by the parents for a student to check out.”
As the censorship struggle ensues and gains momentum from all sides, more books are challenged, more trials are ordered, and more educational tools are destroyed or re-written with new specs. This is one battle the constitution cannot seem to solve.
For more information on book banning and censorship, contact your local library, call your state representative, or one of the groups mentioned in this article.
Copyright 2013 Brazen Brunhilda, All Rights Reserved
To combat the “growing assault” on the first amendment, television producer Norman Lear announced the appointment of Barbara Parker to head People For The American Way’s National Schools and Libraries Project. At a press conference yesterday Lear said, “The misinformed new right is behind the like’s of Jerry Falwell and Phyllis Schafly.” Ms. Parker added, “Censorship activities are so well organized, that the only way to combat it is through an equal amount of organization. If 93% of the community does not want Catcher in the Rye, that’s okay. That’s a community decision. My disagreement is that in education today things are being run by vocal control, not local control.”
The textbook selection committee has been hearing objections to the adoption of certain textbooks from interested parties this week. Norma Gabler, who is heading the protest against questionable books testified in open hearings, “The mind’s of the children have been controlled for years by those liberal elements in publishing.” Mrs. Gabler also pointed to a fourth grade text by McDougal, Littel and Co., and objected to a paragraph listing the beneficial qualities of drugs like insulin for diabetes on the grounds that such information is instilling in student minds that the term “drug” refers to a beneficial product. In another textbook by Ginn and Co., the Gabler’s opposed a chapter called “When things go wrong.” Their demand: A positive title ‘When things go right.” In yet another text on American civics, they found fault with an entire chapter because of “an unnecessarily large amount of people protesting.”
In response to the comment made by Gabler, Parker said, “We find it ionic that people who make their living protesting would object to protesting by other’s.” The board of education will accept written rebuttals by supporters of criticized texts.
During the hearing Mr. Gabler said, “Contrary to what our critics claim, we have no control over the textbook selection process in Texas, or any other state. All we want is to let the public see what’s in the textbooks. Our opposition does not want the public to know what’s in them.” The Gabler’s camp has concentrated primarily on world history texts citing problems with the books’ emphasized criticism of capitalism and no mention of socialism or Marxism. In addition, history books should gloss over slavery, the Depression, Watergate, and other episodes that “raise doubts about our system.”
Along with Gabler’s fight against world history and language composition books, they are fervently opposing science materials. They argue that science books should give equal time to biblical world creation and evolution; passively explain human development and sexuality; and downplay the social problems connected to teen pregnancy, venereal diseases, and homosexuality.
Many people are backing the Gabler’s in their assault against questionable school books. Paul Matthew’s of the Texas State Board of Education said, “I feel the Gabler’s are doing a great service. They are ferreting out slang, vulgarities, and things which are unpatriotic.”
According to the 1982 proclamation of the Florida State Board of Education, “Textbook content shall not encourage lifestyles deviating from generally accepted standards of society.” Within the documents obtained from the proclamation, the board maintained that content should promote citizenship and the understanding of the free enterprise system, emphasize patriotism and respect for recognized authority.
From the viewpoint of the average American, comes many distinctly different opinions from two sides of the issue. Lori Prado, a housewife from Downy, California says, “When my son reaches school age , I want the books her reads in school to be scrutinized by someone. I would do the same for him in my home. I would like to see more organizations formed in support of censorship.” Sixteen year old Penny Boyles of Russelville, Alabama said, “My biology teacher refused to teach us about evolution. He said if we wanted to learn about it on our own, fine, but he didn’t believe in it, so he skipped right over it in the book. I’m glad he decided not to teach it, there are just some things I don’t want to know about.”
From the other side of the censorship spectrum comes a remark from Warren James, Utility Assembler of Garden City, Michigan. He said, “Censorship of textbooks is about the best excuse I can think of for a kid to claim he doesn’t know anything because he didn’t learn it in school. This is an information based society. Kids need information to survive.”
Others, not content with the Gabler’s opposition to school textbooks, are speaking out as well. Barbara Parker, of People for the American Way said, “The Gabler’s are not content to decide what their children read and study; they want to decide what your children read and study in public schools.”
A major proponent against banning and the removal of certain textbooks are the publishers. The United States Supreme Court reviewed their decision to bring to trial Random House, Harper Row and other publishing companies, against Island Trees Union free school district in Levittown, New York. The high court ruled that the ban might violate first amendment rights and ordered a trial to determine the reason for the books’ removal. The court ruled 6-1 to reinstate nine previously banned books to school shelves. A school board spokesperson said they wished to avoid a trail and withdrew the ban; however, the spokesperson added, “When a student checks out one of the books on the list, a note will be sent home to the parents informing them of the students’ actions.”
Among the previously banned are: Slaughterhouse Five, by Kurt Vonnegut, and Soul on Ice, by Eldridge Cleaver. During the past twelve months ending June 1, seventy-five books have been either banned or challenged. Among them are: The Merchant of Venice, by Shakespeare; Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath; Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter; Salinger’s Catcher in the Rye; Orwell’s 1984; and Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.
Ray Bradbury’s The Martian Chronicles, and Robert Cormeir’s The Chocolate War, are among the books challenged or banned because of “profanity and the use of God’s name in vain.” And “foul language, violence and the degradation of schools and teachers,” respectively. The list goes on.
At least five of Ms. Blume’s book have been banned throughout the country, and she is not alone. Henry Miller, John Steinbeck, William Faulker, Earnest Hemingway, Aldous Huxley, D.H. Lawrence, Sinclair Lewis, and Mark Twain have all been challenged or banned.
Anne Frank’s diary of her ordeal during the Nazi occupation in World war II was condemned by the Alabama State Textbook Committee on the grounds that it was “a real downer.” The same committee found fault with Henrik Ibsen’s Doll House, written in the 1800’s because it “propagates feminist views.”
Although National Banned Books Week is not being spotlighted by most Jacksonville booksellers, organizations including American Booksellers Association, American Library Association, and the national Association of College Stores want to remind readers about the banning of books.
Maxie Jones of Maxie’s Book Rack, explains the reason why she is not participating. “It’s just apathy. I feel very strong about it. I just don’t think it would receive any attention here.” She added, “I haven’t heard anybody say anything about it in the store. And I am sure every serious book reader is aware books are being banned.”
Leslie Rigoulet, manager of White’s of San Marco said, “No, we are participating. I feel that it does need to be brought to the attention of readers, though. The first amendment is being quietly attacked and nobody seems to care.”
Some booksellers are taking a more aggressive approach to warding off customers who may not be good candidates for some questionable books. The Almar Bookstore in Normandy Mall has an exhibit featuring a skull and crossbones warning readers of reportedly hazardous books. Displayed are banned or challenged books in the front of the store to show people the kinds of books that are being censored. Holly Parker, owner of the store said, “There’s a lot of ignorance about these things. The one that surprised me was the Judy Blume books because I have had gobs of parents buy them for their children for instructional purposes. Banners are simply unenlightened.”
The impact of book banning is plaguing local Jacksonville schools as well. At Sandalwood High School, librarian Rosalyde Cowdry said, “A good number of books on the shelves contain what some people might consider even more offensive than anything they could find in a great book like Catcher In the Rye.” English and writing teacher Bill Gresham added, “It is ridiculous. The experience of the character Holden Caufield mirrors about every attitude of the sixties. For that reason I think it is an important piece of literature. The language and situations depicted in many television shows today is strong compared with Catcher in the Rye. They are not banning books, they are banning ideas.”
Others who work in the education system do not hold the same beliefs. Fletcher High School’s librarian Francis Meide commented, “There are certain works that are appropriate for young people to read, and there are other materials that are vulgar, and have no redeeming virtues that would warrant it being in a high school collection.” She added, “I feel these books should be available on a reserve basis, with permission by the parents for a student to check out.”
As the censorship struggle ensues and gains momentum from all sides, more books are challenged, more trials are ordered, and more educational tools are destroyed or re-written with new specs. This is one battle the constitution cannot seem to solve.
For more information on book banning and censorship, contact your local library, call your state representative, or one of the groups mentioned in this article.
Copyright 2013 Brazen Brunhilda, All Rights Reserved
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