Censorship in literature

So today in one of my teaching classes, I started a bit of a heated debate that I thought I would share...

We were required to form book clubs with our classmates about diverse literature. Our group read the book "Scorpions" by Walter Dean Myers. Quick summary of the novel:
"Jamal is a twelve year of boy growing up in Harlem. His older brother is in prison for murder, his father stops by the apartment occasionally and his mother works long hours to support him and his little sister Sassy. Jamal seems to find trouble wherever he goes. He is harassed and bullied by an older, bigger boy at school and labeled a trouble-maker and loser by his school principal. His older brother sends word from prison that Jamal is to take his place as leader of the street gang Scorpions, a decision not supported by other members of the gang. A member of the gang gives Jamal a gun, opening a new world for. Jamal realizes that the gun can not only keep the bully away but also make disgruntled gang members and tough guys on the street respect him, giving him a false sense of courage and security.The story escalates and Jamal and his best friend Tito find themselves in a dangerous situation that is ended quickly, leaving one boy dead and another in the hospital. This event has dire consequences that force Jamal and Tito to grow up quickly, changing their lives forever." (www.neiu.edu/~gearup/units/yal/IPMS-Scorpions_and_Bad_Boy/1_IPMS-Scorpions_Unit.doc)

As a class, we discussed issues that could arise with using "controversial" books in the classroom. Although I found the book entertaining, I found it completely unrealistic and I was very appalled at how it seemed to glorify gang culture. There were no consequences to Jamal and Tito's actions...including when Jamal brought a gun to school. I do have fairly conservative values and I have no issue sharing my opinion; after all, we are all in college to learn from each other. I mentioned that I would feel uncomfortable teaching this book in certain school districts. My point being that if at-risk children are personally relating to this book, they may think that they can participate in such terrible acts as dealing drugs without facing the consequences.

The book emphasizes "making choices" as a theme but it seams that the boys keep making the wrong choices. What kind of lesson is this teaching our students? Some people in my class do not believe that you should be able to choose books based on the district. This does happen though; remember how we discussed how "Habibi" was banned from the West Bloomfield school district. WB happens to have a huge jewish population and the critics of the book believe it makes the jewish people look bad. The parents do not want their children reading this type of book. Why would parents allow their children to read a book where young children are running crack, murdering, bringing guns to school, fighting, and participating in gang culture. Perhaps if the book also showed what negative consequences happen from these things then there may be a positive message that comes out of the book. In a school where this is not the culture, it might be easier to discuss with the students why this type of behavior is not acceptable. I just believe students are extremely impressionable and I would not read a book like this to my students.

I don't understand why our culture insists on putting ratings on movies but not on literature. How do parents or people not educated in literature know what is appropriate for their children to read? I'm not saying I approve of literature being censored from regular libraries...however in schools it is a different story. This is where we are teaching the children their morals and values and what it means to be a good citizen. We need to pick literature that emphasizes these values!!

I have more thoughts on this issue but I am frustrated and not sure what I want to say at the moment...more on this issue another time.

More pics from Israel...

Pictures from Israel

After our interesting discussion on the novel "Habibi," I thought I would share some of my pictures from my trip to Israel this past summer...

Insider/Outsider Debate

It's quite interesting to think about who has the right to write, illustrate, or talk about different cultures. Thinking about this debate reminded me of an episode of the TV show "degrassi: the next generation." Paige had previously been sexually assaulted and was struggling to deal with her grief. Her bandmate did not know what had happened to Paige but was in the process of writing a song about rape. Paige flipped out and told her she had no right to write about something she had no experience with, and Ashley told her that "she could imagine" and she had done "a lot of research." This little example makes you think about where do you cross the line when writing about something you are not personally associated with. For instance, I feel like no one would be offended if I wrote a novel about being white or Jewish. However, what if I wrote about being Muslim or even being a boy? Sure I could do research and imagine what it's like, but I'm clearly not an authentic source. I'm not entirely sure how I feel about this debate yet...

Post Numero Uno!

Ahhh my very first for TE448, how exciting. I used to have a blog back in the day that was more of a diary, versus a blog on a specific topic so this is new for me. I eventually gave up on the diary because I was in a long distance relationship at the time, and the guy would always check my blog to see what I was up to instead of calling me! I found it a bit stalkerish so I gave up on that, but this should be much better. It's amazing how many classes at MSU are using blogging this semester. I'm writing 3 seperate blogs this semester for teaching classes so hopefully I'll get pretty good at this! Well we wrote some autobiographical poems for our second class in childrens lit today to get to know each other better so I figured I'd post it on here:

A Jewish Pigeonhole

Let’s go out tonight…you have tons of money…
Then how did I just bounce my checking account?
Well, don’t your parents just give you their money?
My parents work hard and want me to do the same.
So aren’t you constantly complaining then?
I don’t feel sorry for myself, I have faith and strong values.
Well I’m sure you’ll have plenty of money soon, Jews are good with money.
Maybe, I know I’m not.
I thought Jews were supposed to be cheap, though?
If I was so cheap, I probably wouldn’t be broke.
So does your mother insist that you call her every day?
She doesn’t insist but I love my mom and maybe you should call yours more often.
Don’t you all talk really loud and not let others finish their sentences…
Sure, some people do. But I don’t know what that has to do with religion.
I could tell you were Jewish from looking at you.
Even though my nose is smaller than yours?
Why are you in this class? Aren’t you supposed to be a doctor or lawyer?
I love children and I want to be a teacher.
You must be thrilled that Obama is our new president, Jews love democrats.
Yet I identify myself with more conservative beliefs.
You keep arguing with everything I’m saying…that’s so Jewish of you.
No, that’s not “so Jewish of me.” That’s “so ignorant” of you.

**So I had my boyfriend read this poem after I wrote it and he wanted to know if I meant to write it as if I was having a 2-way conversation with someone. I actually meant the 2nd parts to be what I think to myself when people make stereotypical remarks to me. My thoughts may not be the nicest in the world, but I don't think stereotyping is so nice either. I like to be open to all types of diversity and think its important to learn about different cultures! I'm going to take this attitude with me as I become a teacher and hopefully I can make a difference in the way my students view the big world around them.

That's all for now!
~Mallory