http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6728872.html?industryis=47055
This article describes how a New Jersey school district banned a book after complaints from members in the community. The book relates coming out stories and the feelings of gay and lesbian youth on their identities. After reading the article, I am impressed at the way the NCAC and ACLU-NJ are handling the issue. They are trying to discover if the book was banned solely on its theme or if the school's reconsideration policy was followed.
Although school officials may feel a lot of pressure from parents and the rest of the community, it is very important that they remember the books in the library are for the students. While some people may not like the content, it could be very significant for others. Besides, if the school has a librarian on staff and a selection policy in place, then the principal and school board should support the decision of that librarian for choosing to include the book in the collection. I'm sure that on any controversial topic, the decision to include or not include a book is not made lightly. ACLU-NJ Executive Director Deborah Jones stated, "Educators and school librarians are the best qualified to determine what kinds of books and materials schools should keep in their libraries. Neither political groups nor parents have a right to impose their decisions, morals, or values on all students and families." To me, emphasis should be placed on that last sentence. What may be right for one family is not necessarily what is right for another. Removing this book infringes on the rights of others to view it. In addition, if the book contains material of educational value or fills a specific need of the student body, then it should stay in place. I would bet that there are several students that are gay, lesbian, or curious in that school, so the book would fulfill both requirements. There is no reason that I can see as to why it should be removed.
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This raises some important questions. The first is how to deal with a "tyranny of the majority". Clearly the community is just wanting the force their will upon others, since they may happen to have the cultural power in this situation. The follow up to this is the idea of their being an "elite" of some sort, that due to their moral reasoning is able to deal with the situation correctly. I will ask you, how do you deal with a "tyranny of the majority", and what determines that this "elite" is not corrupt, and guided by intelligence and principles.
ReplyDeleteI have read several articles during the last year about how many libraries are not providing materials for the LGBT segment of the community. I admit that it wasn't an issue that I knew existed. One of the trends I am seeing in this class, that the requests for removal are all subjects which make someone or group uncomfortable. As someone in the article pointed out if we removed everything that offended someone or some group nothing would be left on the shelves. As much as some would like to pretend that homosexuality does not exist or that it can be cured, we need to be sure that this group has adequate representation in libraries, as do all groups or subjects that may make us uncomfortable.
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