Banning books. It’s alive and well… and as narrow-minded and frightening as ever.
by Keith Yancy
NOTE: The following letter was written in response to a situation unfolding at my high-school-age daughter’s school. In short, a group of parents are trying to remove several books from an Advanced Placement Literature class, despite the class being voluntary and parents being provided with a detailed syllabus prior to the start of the year. After a few outspoken parents protested, a committee meeting was held, at which the parents protesting had the opportunity to speak. This meeting, held at the curious time of 5:00PM (prohibitively early for me to attend, and, I assume, many other working parents), did not allow parents with opposing viewpoints to address the committee. Teachers were allowed the opportunity to defend their curricula, however, and other parents were allowed to submit written opinions.
Sadly, this drama is all-too familiar. Books such as Vonnegut’s “Slaughterhouse-Five,” Salinger’s “Catcher in the Rye” and Orwell’s “1984″ faced similar such efforts over the years… and have rightfully, in time, become classics of American literature. But even now, there remain those who would rather choose censorship rather than expose their high-school-age adolescents to new ideas, challenging views, and the latest generations’ emerging classics.
The following letter was written by me, and I received a note acknowledging they received it. I have not enjoyed the privilege of a response.
[name withheld]
Assistant Principal, __________ High School
December 23, 2011
Dear Mr. ________:
My name is Keith Yancy. I am the father of M——- Yancy, a student in Mr. _______’s AP English class. I am writing to express my disappointment regarding recent and proposed changes to the curriculum for this class. My reasons are as follows:
1. Reading controversial literature is fundamental to the course’s purpose and intent. The very purpose of the course, and the reason works such as Waterland, Beloved, Heart of Darkness and Maus were chosen for study, is to inspire intellectual curiosity, explore new points of view and experiences, and develop the rigor of mind necessary for college-level literary analysis and criticism. It is obvious, therefore, that learners cannot do that without necessarily reading works of literature that only expresses one ideology or only “politically correct” point of view. This course was designed to challenge students beyond their worldview in an academic, structured setting, providing the guidance necessary for students to develop intellectually.
2. The content and quality of the books in question is, in fact, appropriate for the class. Beloved, a book currently being challenged as “inappropriate,” was a Pulitzer Prize-winning book, and was (as recently as 2006) ranked as the best work of American fiction of the past 25 years in a New York Times survey of literary critics. Waterland was considered for a Booker Prize. These books, and others like them, explore controversial and sometimes unpleasant topics. Unfortunately for those who refuse to progress past 1950s-era thinking, these topics are part of our everyday lives (and, notably, the lives of our children). Racial issues, homosexuality, rape… one need only look at the current movie listings in today’s paper to see examples of these topics in our culture, entertainment, and social consciousness. But in the case of these literary works, such topics are elements of the story, not the story itself. If one parent can have a book omitted for including such content, there will be very, very few books on the syllabus. Avoidance of such topics is, in my opinion, irresponsible; having my daughter read these works, in a structured, academic environment, was a driving reason for enrolling her in Mr. _______’s class.
3. The manner in which this curriculum change was made was simply unacceptable. This reason is, perhaps, the least ambiguous of all. One outspoken parent should not affect the study of every other student, nor should one parent presume to speak for anyone else. The course syllabus was provided prior to start of the class, and the time for such protest was then. This AP course is, as I understand it, an “opt-in” course, one which people must apply to get their student into the class. If the reading list or course content is unacceptable to an individual parent, then they should find another class for their child, rather than affect the learning of every other student in the course. Furthermore, if the motivation for taking the course is simply to improve their child’s academic record by having an AP course on their transcript, they’ve missed the entire point of the course, and their child should never have been approved for inclusion in the course. AP English should never be a course for “grade chasers,” but rather only for students truly interested in intellectual growth, literary analysis and preparation for the rigors of college-level study. To my knowledge, no other parents were queried regarding the situation, and I was only informed of what was happening because my daughter expressed disappointment about it. In summary, this entire process is deeply, deeply flawed, and must not be allowed to be repeated (or continued).
4. The implications for the faculty and the school are deeply troubling. I was highly impressed with the professionalism, enthusiasm, and dedication displayed by Mr. _______ [the teacher] when we discussed the intent and details of this course. But I can only guess at the resentment and disappointment Mr. _______ must feel to have his curriculum revised after having published it over 3 months ago. I expect him to have the necessary discernment and contextual intelligence to choose appropriate and relevant literature for such a class, and I have been pleased with his choices. To have them censored by the shrill protests of a single parent — who, unlike Mr. _______, never shared his/her point of view with anyone — is appalling. Furthermore, for the school administration to not defend the published and (presumably) pre-approved course curriculum of its faculty is, in my opinion, shameful. Even if I were a protesting parent, I would be astonished if a singular complaint made by myself resulted in a curriculum change for dozens of other students. I would hope that any curriculum worth the administration’s approval at the beginning of the school year is one worth defending during the school year.
In conclusion, Mr. _________, a parent may foolishly choose to wall the world’s unpleasantness out from their children’s life, but such thinking only delays intellectual and spiritual development. The strongest faith, the highest conviction, and the most profound beliefs can only be useful if they can withstand opposition and challenge. Having our students shielded from various worldviews and experiences limits intellectual growth and undermines their readiness for higher learning. Censoring the pre-approved curriculum for this AP English class, while convenient in the face of a vocal parent’s misguided protests, displays a lack of support for the faculty, for the many parents who knowingly signed up their children for the class, and — perhaps most importantly — for the very purpose of the class: to challenge and develop the intellectual abilities of _______ High School’s most talented students.
It is my hope that the administration of the [district school system] re-examines this situation, and has the integrity to do what is clearly the right thing: to let the curriculum stand.
Respectfully,
Keith Yancy
___________________________
At the time of this post, a decision on whether to remove books deemed “controversial” has not been made. I’m looking forward to hearing what the decision will be, and what can be done if these books are, in fact, removed from the curriculum. If such a vocal group of parents can affect my child’s curriculum over my wishes, what else will they be able to change? Internet access at school? Current Events class topics? Musical selections in the school orchestra?
I hope the committee is equal to their task.
Until next time… : |
The more things change, the more they stay the same. Individual choice and freedom, what? People who want to foist their beliefs and values on others are tenacious beyond belief. Good for you, Keith, to stand up and say what needs to be said, and often. Excellent post, as always. Keep fighting the good fight, sir.
Thanks. It’s amazing to me that people who choose to highlight a few sentences from an entire novel can conclude — without regard to theme, plot, symbolism, or anything else — that a book is inappropriate. And to further believe that they should be able to control other peoples’ choices because of their beliefs is almost as shocking as watching administrators seriously considering agreeing with them.
I guess some things never change. People like this have been railing against troubling ideas for centuries. And, in instances where people are timid or leaderless, they sometimes win. It’s both outrageous and depressing.
Thanks for the comment. I may encourage people to re-post if they agree with my point of view.
Excellent writing Keith – and I am completely appalled that this can be happening here, in my town. May clear minds and vision prevail – censorship is never the answer.
So frustrating Keith and good for you for speaking out. I wonder if other parents of students in the class are aware of what is going on?
Thanks for reading, Jill — great to hear from you!
Yes, other parents are starting to wake up and respond, and at this point, it appears that the protesting parents are in a rather small minority. Let’s hope they don’t intimidate the school board into listening to their “reasoning,” which my daughter discovered they basically lifted out of some whack-ball web site.
There’s a chance I might get interviewed on the radio about this. I’ll keep you posted — thanks for reading!
I share your concern not only with regard to the changes in curriculum but the power we have given to those who oppose and not giving those who support the curriculum the ability to respond.
Thanks, Linda. I suspect the protesting couple is intimidating the administration, which I suspect is fearful of a lawsuit. Sadly, they may find themselves facing one whichever way they decide.
I’ll keep you posted. Thanks so much for reading.
I find this type of censorship really scary. What comes next. I heard that the term “slaves” is being removed from text books being printed for children. If children are not taught the dangers of not treating all Americans equally, history will repeat itself and we will all lose our freedom. We have some forms of slavery already occurring in international waters just off our shorelines in the Gulf of Mexico. It wouldn’t surprise me to find out that illegals are being lured into the country in search of the golden dream and find themselves exploited.
Thanks, Doris. I hope you’re feeling well. This entire episode is deeply, deeply disturbing. I’m nearly obsessed with trying to prevent quality literature from being banned by these short-sighted people.
The strongest faith, the highest conviction, and the most profound beliefs can only be useful if they can withstand opposition and challenge.
Amen.
Thanks. I think someone thought I plagiarized that line — they tried to google it — but if I did, it was pure coincidence.
Keith
so glad to have you as a fellow parent in PCCS
Thank you! I hope we meet sometime soon.
Keith, as you may know, I am very conservative — and I am also not the biggest fan of the public school system. I wasn’t when my children were growing up, and still retain the conviction (right or wrong) that some in academia view these institutions as a ready-made population of little laboratory rats for the educational theories du jour; some good, some really awful, and some with a social agenda that differs radically from my own beliefs.
Having said that … I also recognize the difference between an opt-in course and a required course, and it was this dissenting parent’s responsibility to review the syllabus prior to its start and AT THAT TIME decide whether or not her child would take the class as outlined, rather than pitch a fit after the fact. A far more appropriate response, but one that requires more work and commitment on her part than making an impassioned speech at a meeting, would have been to tune into the coursework as her child progressed through the class and discuss whatever issues arise.
It is absolutely her call whether to shelter her child from ideas that challenge her beliefs (though frankly I don’t think that’s wise), but she is doing her child a disservice here. You said it best: “The strongest faith, the highest conviction, and the most profound beliefs can only be useful if they can withstand opposition and challenge.” To be afraid of ideas is to shut down reasoning. God would not have given each of us a mind if He didn’t expect us to use them.
Mona,
Thanks for your comments — it’s great to hear from you.
Normally, I’m pretty conservative. I shelter my younger children from trash television, restrict them from watching inappropriate movies, etc. That’s nothing noble — most decent parents do so. But, as our children grow into young adults, it also becomes necessary to allow them to learn about challenging and controversial ideas — in an appropriate, structured environment. That’s what this class is for, as you obviously know.
My wife and I (and Meredith) are opposed to these book banning efforts, not because we’re into pornography or the steady decline of Western civilization and “family values,” but because we know and trust our beliefs, and the beliefs we’ve (hopefully) instilled in our daughter. It’s easy to be ethical or religious when times are good and people think the way you do; but those with the strongest and deepest convictions are those who have their beliefs and values tempered in the fire of conflict and opposition. No belief, no value, no virtue is more precious than the one you’ve fought for, the one that’s threatened, the one that proves to be true and comforting through the darkest times. One best knows the light who’s seen the darkness… and in this instance, these young adults are allowed to explore difficult topics and concepts, learn the principles of literary analysis, and develop the ability to provide scholarly criticism in a collaborative, guided, and (in my opinion) safe environment.
Obviously, I’ve had numerous opportunities to experience such learning, and can honestly say it changed and shaped my life — who I am, how I view the world, and (most importantly) how I’ve developed a sense of values. Studying literature was and is one of the most illuminating and rewarding experiences of my life, and I’m determined to give my daughters the same opportunities my wife and I enjoyed.
And because I appreciate such learning so much, I’ll be damned to sit back and let one set of zealous parents affect the education I’ve knowingly chosen for my daughter. Sorry if I got preachy, just wrote what I felt without applying any “filter.”
Thanks for reading, and it’s been great to hear from you. I’m still in mourning that your Cardinals won and my Tigers lost. (That bitterness never totally goes away.)
[...] post is in response to a book challenge at a local public school. Here’s the introduction to blog post written by a parent of a child in the AP Literature class under scrutiny: The following letter was written in response to a situation unfolding at my [...]
I guess my reply left itself on your blog, Keith. Your daughters are fortunate to have you and Chris in their corner. Please share any reply your letter receives.
Sarah
Thanks, Sarah… I will keep you posted, but I’m not going to hold my breath waiting for a response. They won’t, because they don’t know yet how to respond. My guess is that the school board and superintendent (interim, at that) are busy wringing their hands and wondering how to get out of this mess without a lawsuit being filed. I don’t think they can.