Blue Springs, Mo Votes 6-0 against book banning in schools

[Mary in KC]

Whew!

I have just starting posting here again so I don't know if there were posts about a religious group wanting to control what books were used in the Public School. But it was big news here in KC.

The particular book was "The Giver"? I had never heard of it. But there were lots of other books on the "challenged" list. Lots of them have been classics - Of Mice and Men was one. And all of the usuals. Plus anything to do with gay or lesbian - oh and Harry Potter. There were lots and lots on the list.

The school board voted the messure down 6-0. They said they didn't want special interest groups determining their programs.

Yea! This is a very big deal for a Red state. Actually, I think we are a purple state. We are pretty divided right down the middle.

[Arkana]

1. "The Giver" is a classic example of censorship

That's probably why it was on the list. Wouldn't want any of those uppity smart kids makin' connections between book banning at their school and the EXTREME form of control exerted over the society depicted in "The Giver."

[LynzM]

2. Awesome

The Giver is a great book, and I don't know why it would be on the 'to be banned' list (then again, it's probably been 10 years since I read it). Glad to hear that it got voted down. Book banning is absurd. Discussion is necessary about certain books, for sure, but banning them entirely?

[Mary in KC]

4. There is a witch hunt going on here.

The ultra conservatives are trying to get control of the public schools in both Missouri and Kansas. Remember Phil Kline and the abortion clinic records.

So far the courts have been keeping them under control.

[Mary in KC]

11. They Said they didn't want any books having bad

language, sex, stressful situations - oh, I don't know what all. They just wanted happy books. Children shouldn't be bothered with the bad stuff.

Of course the banning probably got more kids to read than at any time in Missouri history. You know that every kid there went out and bought every book on the banned list. Kids are funny that way.

[LynzM]

12. Right,

Because if we just ignore all the realistic or bad stuff that happens in life, of course it will never happen, and having never read about it or discussed, of course you'll have no thoughts about what might be or not be appropriate reactions, or whether what you're feeling is normal. :eyes: Ignoring things does not make them disappear, generally! </rant>

And I agree, distributing that list probably ensures that as many kids read them as possible, without the benefit of discussing them later. Both funny and sad...

[Mary in KC]

13. I've been trying to ignore the Bush guys

but it hasn't worked so far.

[LynzM]

14. Yeah

Sadly, ignoring that particular bunch actually causes them to do *more* harm, I think. Or maybe allows them to, I don't know. I do wish they'd go away, though!

[Mary in KC]

16. Oh, really!

Ignoring the ultra conservatives is a big mistake. They really like to slide in under the radar if they can. Especially in government. Then they can turn things to their own agenda.

[MountainLaurel]

15. To paraphrase

An African-American author of children's books (I'm pretty sure it was Steptoe): "Books about these subjects need to be published and read because there are children who must LIVE these stories every day."

He was referring to racism, poverty, and other social ills, but the same could be said of any "stressful situation" book. How else is a child who has been abused all their lives to know that what's happening to them is not what happens to every other kid.

[marmar]

3. Thank goodness...

People haven't gone completely bonkers in Red State America. This also leads me believe that the country isn't nearly as conservative as it's alleged to be.

[Mary in KC]

6. I don't know. I live here and it's pretty conservative.

At least the blue people don't speak out much in public. You just can't. It is not acceptable. And shunning is a very effective way to control free speech.

[Gold Metal Flake]

5. Do you expect a backlash?

Folks out there should give the school board some love, because I expect the otherside to heap some serious hate.

[Mary in KC]

7. I hadn't really thought about a back-lash.

They probably will bring in Fred Phelps to picket in Blue Springs.

Really, we have a backlash going on all of the time. It is just a never ending battle.

The ultra conservatives never give up. They just back up and try to come in from another direction.

[MuseRider]

8. Thank goodness.

There is a thread on it in the Kansas forum. I have been watching this. It was astonishing the number of books they were looking to ban and the reasons for their banning. Blew my mind. Hooray for Blue Springs. Let us know how this comes up again, it will, and we can write letters or whatever you need to help out.

[catmandu57]

9. I'm glad the nazis got stopped

there. Blue Springs is an affluent suburb, the fundies can't get the support they need down there. Now, if they tried that crap up here in the sticks, where people aren't as educated they may get away with their crap.

[Mary in KC]

10. I think they do get away with it out in the rural areas

Honestly, uneducated people just do not see the dangers until it is too late. And many rural people just aren't very educated.

Like all the people out in rural areas who voted Red on what they perceifved to be moral values. And now their benefits are being cut to the bone. Now they are beginning to realize but it's too late.

[newportdadde]

17. I actually live in Blue Springs but hadn't heard of this.

I'm glad it got voted down. I think we here in Jackson county along with St Louis county maybe were the only two counties to go blue in Missouri last Nov.

Your right about the push around here by NeoCons. This victory though makes me feel like I'm not quite as alone as I had felt after the election.