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I woke up this morning and found Twitter all a buzz about a recent article published in the News-Leader of Springfield, MO. Apparently, Dr. Wesley Scroggins, a professor of business at Missouri State University, wrote a very heated opinion piece about the books used in the Republic education system. The three books that are mentioned are Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut, Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler, and Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. He calls the books "filthy" and proceeds to vehement bashing. As a result of this article, Slaughterhouse Five has been removed from the curriculum, and Twenty Boy Summer is currently under review.
For those of you who don't know, I live in Springfield, MO. I go to college at Missouri State University, and the town of Republic is about twenty-five minutes away from my apartment. I was completely shocked, saddened, and ashamed to find out that a professor from MY university was the one causing all of these problems. I know that what Dr. Scroggins wrote in the News-Leader isn't my fault, and I wholeheartedly disagree with it, but I feel a bit embarrassed that this man published such a piece. He is a professor from Missouri State University, and therefore, he serves as a representative of the college. The way he represented our university gives people the image of a small-minded, ignorant community, and frankly, it completely offends me.
Book banning in itself is an insult to freedom of speech--something that is at the very heart of our beliefs as Americans. While I understand that certain topics might not be appropriate for a particular age range (ex: you don't want to throw a Harlequin Romance at a five year-old), the three books in question, especially Twenty Boy Summer and Speak, are widely read by the young adult audience. These books aren't being forced upon eight and nine year-olds; they're being read by high school teenagers.
The fact of the matter is this: high school serves as a sort of gateway that ushers teenagers into the adult world. The education they receive at this age is extremely important. It is impractical and unrealistic to expect these teenagers to grow up and spend the rest of their lives ignorant of controversial topics and ideas. As such, it is best to expose them to these things in an educational environment, where they can be guided through the process by their teachers and parents. Is there a better way to do this then through reading books that are intended for their age? These books allow teenagers to learn about these difficult issues through characters they can relate to--ones that are the same age as them and go through similar experiences.
Personally, I think this aids teenagers in actually learning what they need to learn. Seeing these issues encountered by kids their own age makes them real and effective in a way that can't be obtained from simple lectures from their adult teachers.
To Dr. Scroggins: congratulations. You are the sole person in three years who has managed to make me ashamed of my place of study. You go on and on about the hazards of infecting children's minds with this "filth," but you've just deprived them of a way to learn about these real life issues in a safe, educational environment. I hope you're proud of yourself.
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I encourage those of you who are as outraged by this article as I am to take action in the following ways:
-E-mail me at mindfulmusings@live.com (or leave your e-mail address below). I'm getting a group together to plan a project concerning this article and Banned Books Week.
I've also added a Mr. Linky form below. Feel free to link up your own posts about this article, book banning, and the like!
Ughhhh book banning is such a sore topic for me. I'm from a tiny town in New Jersey, and while they didn't ban anything, we're the type of town that's assumed would actually ban something. I have to say that I'm absolutely shocked that Twenty Boy Summer is on that list. I just barely read it, and the sexual situations in the book are mild, discreet, and tastefully done. While the title might imply that the book is loose, per se, it's about grieving, loss, and moving on.
ReplyDeleteDare I ask this question to those who ban the books -- the children (aka teens) who are being told these books are bad are going to come face to face with situations very much like those in these banned books...how exactly would you like them to first experience these situations...through tasteful literature, or the harsh realities of life?
Excellent post, Natalie!
ReplyDeleteJust as author Myra McEntire voiced her opinion as a fellow Christian, I applaud you for standing up against a professor at your own school. The argument is so much more powerful coming from you two.
This statement of yours rang so true for me:
"As such, it is best to expose them to these things in an educational environment, where they can be guided through the process by their teachers and parents."
At a bible study I used to attend, a mother with teens told me that's precisely why she chose to educate her kids in the public schools rather than a private Christian school. She wanted them exposed to the real world while they were living under her roof, so they could talk about it and she could share her values with them.
Thanks for being willing to #speakloudly!
I had no clue we're neighbors! (I'm an hour away from Springfield now, but I used to live there.)
ReplyDeleteYou said it so well, Natalie! It amazes me someone would ever say the things he said about a book that is focused on something no one who is a victim of has control over. Glad to join you and everyone else in this battle make sure these books do not get banned!
Very well said, and I completely agree. At least he has brought this issue to light- and not in the way he wants it to be.
ReplyDeleteI agree totally! Out of the books you've listed, I've only read 20 Boy Summer and that was one of the best books I've read all year long.
ReplyDeleteI think some people have nothing better to do than stir up controversy. :(
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ReplyDeleteI also wanted to add, this just adds to the publicity of a book and I have to be honest... I'd not thought about reading Speak before, but now... I am going to make a trip to Borders to buy it.
ReplyDeleteSo rather than deter me from reading it, he's merely succeeded in making me want to read it. :) Good job!
Can I just say, in addition to my outrage and sadness at this...*snort* Scroggins. What a name. Sounds like a Dickens villain.
ReplyDeleteExcellent post, Natalie! It's hard to believe an educated person wrote that article.
ReplyDeleteEveryone should be able to read what they want.
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ReplyDeleteTerrific post, Natalie! I read the article in question last night and was completely flabbergasted. It's like Beaumont (from Footloose) come to life. The ignorance running rampant in this country makes me sick. I sincerely hope that the man who wrote the article sees this post. I'd love to participate in the project you're getting together for Banned Books Week - shoot me an email at thebookishtype [at] yahoo [dot] com
ReplyDeleteVery well said Natalie. Teens are going to come face to face with difficult issues at some point in their lives and to shelter them from realities is only going to do more damage in the future. Books like Speak and Twenty Boy Summer will give teens a way to experience something secondhand, but to have all the emotions that come with it. And for those who are raped or who are going through something difficult, these books allow them to see that they aren't alone. That others hurt just like them.
ReplyDeleteI applaud you for standing up against a professor from your very own university and I only hope that others will see Dr. Scroggins' opinions as strictly his own and not a representation of the university as a whole.
Wow. Nice to hear from somebody who lives close to the epicenter of all of this, and also nice to hear from somebody who believes in age-appropriateness as well as censorship being wrong. There IS a difference between age-appropriateness and censorship, only this guy clearly missed it. Thank you for the eloquent and well-thought-out post! =)
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone for your thoughtful comments and support! Scroggins has essentially helped spread the word about the very books he sought to challenge. :-)
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to hear from somebody who's actually really close to the issue. If I were in your position I would probably walk up to the guy and give him a piece of my mind. It's so ridiculous that he thinks he can do this and just get away with it. Right now things are kind of backfiring for him since so much attention is being payed to the books he wants banned.
ReplyDeleteWell said, Natalie!
ReplyDeleteIt helps no one when you shield teenagers from the realities of this world. Whether you like it or not, the teenagers of today will shortly become the teenagers of tomorrow. If you allow them to go into the world being naive and having had every personal value decided for them, you are only preparing them for failure.
Books should viewed as window to the world, where teenagers can learn and grow from what they see.
Very well said. I hate what people like Scroggins stand for, but I'm so glad that the book community is coming together so strongly and speaking out. Please consider me for anything you have planned for Banned Books Week.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I love that we as bloggers can come together and fight for a very important cause. I have my post up and I'm Speaking out LOUDLY! I'm also giving away a copy of Speak to one lucky blogger:) If there is anything I can do to help out more let me know.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Steph
papercutreviewer(at)gmail(dot)com
I can't believe he wants to ban Speak! I don't know why my link keeps disappearing from Mr. Linkey but it's here...
ReplyDeletehttp://marielovesbooks.blogspot.com/2010/09/speak-loudly.html
I'm also giving away a copy of Speak and Twenty Boy Summer!
Brilliant, well said Natalie and I couldn't agree more. It never ceases to amaze me when people with people like Scroggins, they seek to ban something "offensive" and in doing so, create the opposite effect of their original intention. Nothing makes someone want to do something more than being told they can't.
ReplyDeleteNatalie, students like you who think and question and discuss make Mo State a school to be proud of.
ReplyDeleteOne of the things that makes me so angry about how Scroggins characterizes the book is that he participates in shaming the target of the assault. We've been so sullied, we shouldn't even speak of it--we must protect society from the knowledge of such things. Uh, no. It's not a child's job, and it's not a crime victim's job.
Great post! Let people chose for themselves! Looking forward to the event!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely agree with you Natalie! Reading a variety of books exposes people of all ages to different stories, different experiences for the characters. It brings forth topics and situations a reader might not have experienced. It provokes thought and has readers ask themselves, "What would I do if I were in that situation?" Reading is a wonderful and safe was to explore life. I will definitely speak against this!
ReplyDeleteFantastic post, and thanks so much for the list of links! So disturbing that this is happening, but the overwhelming support for these authors and their books is so inspiring.
ReplyDeleteI'm also having a book giveaway-- winner's choice of either Speak, Twenty Boy Summer, of Slaughterhouse Five at my critique group's blog, Will Write For Cake, linked in #41 on the list above.
I view it as my responsibility as a parent to know what my children are reading. My blog partner and I recently had a conversation wherein she expressed surprise that I read ALL of the books that are purchased or given to my children before they do. I have requested that their teachers tell me what books will be read so I can read those, as well. Christin was surprised by this, as her reading choices were never questioned as a child. Neither were mine. Reading was encouraged, and I was NEVER told I couldn't read a book. And I don't discourage my childrens' love of reading. But I want to know what my children are reading so that I can discuss with them the topics that need discussion. This is the answer to books with uncomfortable topics...individual parental choices about whether the topic is appropriate for your child. Discussing the controversial topic with your child. Banning of books is NEVER the answer.
ReplyDeleteLouise
Between the Covers
Thank you for writing this post.
ReplyDeleteGreat post!! Very well said!
ReplyDeleteI'm in Springfield too, and it's amazing to find out how many other book bloggers are from this area! I had no idea.
While most of us are infuriated by someone trying to tell us how to raise our kids, the one fun thing about this type of controversy is that Dr. Scroggins' complaints will probably result in more kids reading these books, rather than less.
ReplyDeleteI also blogged about this "back to the future" nightmare. See my link above.
Great post- I know how you feel- I live in Republic, and my daughter goes to school in the district. I am outraged by this, but am glad its been brought to our attention. I also feel a sense of responsibility for this man, and hope that we can make a differnce. I posted a link to my blog, and wrote a post about it. I also wrote the Superintendent and got a reply saying, "thank you for your letter.". Hopefully we'll get to go to a board meeting or public forum on this!
ReplyDeleteWell said! I have often written on my blog about the novel Speak and I was totally blown away and outraged by the article. I believe in freedom of speech but I don't believe that excuses ignorance. Ironically I just posted a giveaway on my blog and one of the Ya books up for grabs is Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson.
ReplyDeleteThanks for bringing this to my attention. I look forward to blogging about this in the near future.
Great post. This whole thing has me pretty angry. These books are so important to teens. I don't understand what this guy thinks will happen if kids are so sheltered from this stuff that they have no clue how to respond if it happens, or even any clue of what is being done to them. These books aren't about sex. They're about coping with tragic events. It is good to see people speaking up in defense of them.
ReplyDeleteIt is a shame that Dr. Scroggins lives in such a bubble. In the ideal world, none of these things would happen. Profanity, rape, alcohol use and underage sex wouldn't be a concern. Unfortunately this is not an ideal world. These things do happen and our children are under more pressure than he can imagine. You can't send someone into battle without knowing who the enemy is and how you can protect yourself from them.
ReplyDeleteIgnorance is no protection. Sex education is a necessity and too many parents either can't or won't do an adequate job of preparing their children for what is out there. I should certainly hope we are past the stage of telling our little ones they were found under a cabbage leaf or brought by the stork.
As for the books, learning from someone else's mistakes is preferable to making them yourself. Many children feel isolated because of things that have happened to them. Letting them know they are not alone is a good step towards their getting the help they need and deserve. Not talking about rape will not prevent it from happening. Girls need to know they have the right to say no and expect it to be heeded. They need to feel it is safe to tell someone what has happened and not feel guilty. They need to know what will happen to them if they put themselves in certain situations. Isn't it much better for them to get this information in a Sex Ed class or a book discussion in English class than to be at a party with no way out when things get out of hand?
As for the profanity - has he been living in a vacuum? There is more profanity on the school grounds than in many adult venues. I am not excusing it nor am I happy about it, but these children are picking up this language at home and around friends. 25 years ago, I heard language from 5th graders I hadn't heard until I was 30, and it wasn't something they would likely have heard in class.
SLAUGHTER HOUSE FIVE is an example of how very wrong things can go in a society as is 1984 by Ray Bradbury. It is a warning of what things could be like if we don't have a moral base.
Stuff happens out in the real world, Dr. Scroggins. I would prefer that our children be prepared to know what is out there, how to deal with it, and how to cope when something goes wrong. I want them to be able to speak out when a predator either tries to or succeeds in inflicting harm. I don't want them to be ashamed that they were a victim. When a person reposts being molested or raped, I don't want the first thing someone says to them to be "Well, what did you do to cause this?"
It's painful and difficult to write about some of this but I wanted to show not just that I support these authors BUT why. Thanks for kind of leading the charge Natalie. :)
ReplyDeleteWell said. I found Dr. Scroggins comments about pornography utterly disgusting. It seems he relates more to the rapist than the victim.
ReplyDelete