Celebrating Banned Books Week in Texas
Categories: Teens & tweens, Media, Education, Gadgets & tech, That's entertainment
Oh, the irony! Alton Verm of Conroe, Texas wants his daughter's high school to ban a book. "It's just all kinds of filth," he said. He did admit that he had not actually read the book. The book in question? Ray Bradbury's 1953 Science Fiction classic, Fahrenheit 451. Why is that so ironic that it actually hurts? Because Fahrenheit 451 is a cautionary tale depicting a society in which books are banned and critical thought is suppressed.
The title of the book refers to "the temperature at which book-paper catches fire, and burns ..."; the protagonist is a fireman -- someone whose job is to burn books. As I recall, (I read it a long time ago,) it was a dark book with an obvious -- to me -- message. I tend to prefer lighter stuff when I read for pleasure, so I'm certain I never read it more than once or twice. It does, however, provide an important lesson for younger folks who may not understand why banning ideas (and the books that contain them) is a Really Bad Idea. You may not like someone else's idea, but that isn't a good enough reason to ban it; it might be your ideas that are out of favor next week.
I have to admit, I am flabbergasted by this. If the parent doesn't want their kid to read the book, that's fine; it's their choice. The thing is, they shouldn't try to force that on others -- which is, of course, a big part of the message of the book. And, just in case this story wasn't ridiculous enough as it is, it all started during Banned Books week. I'm sorry... I think I need to go cry now.
The title of the book refers to "the temperature at which book-paper catches fire, and burns ..."; the protagonist is a fireman -- someone whose job is to burn books. As I recall, (I read it a long time ago,) it was a dark book with an obvious -- to me -- message. I tend to prefer lighter stuff when I read for pleasure, so I'm certain I never read it more than once or twice. It does, however, provide an important lesson for younger folks who may not understand why banning ideas (and the books that contain them) is a Really Bad Idea. You may not like someone else's idea, but that isn't a good enough reason to ban it; it might be your ideas that are out of favor next week.
I have to admit, I am flabbergasted by this. If the parent doesn't want their kid to read the book, that's fine; it's their choice. The thing is, they shouldn't try to force that on others -- which is, of course, a big part of the message of the book. And, just in case this story wasn't ridiculous enough as it is, it all started during Banned Books week. I'm sorry... I think I need to go cry now.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Brenda 10-04-2006 @ 10:05AM
Some people just have no sense of irony.
Of course some parents think that not only should their kids not have to see nudes in an art museum, but no other kids should be able to see them either.
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anonny 10-04-2006 @ 10:13AM
I object to Alton Verm's bad grammar. According to the article, Verm doesn't understand how the district can punish students for using bad language, yet require them to read a book with bad language as part of a class.
I don't understand how a man who is unable to speak well can possibly have a valid say in anything to do with literacy, English, or education for that matter.
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Kimberly 10-04-2006 @ 10:29AM
I agree with annony. And submit my own challenge based on the fact the Verm admits he has not read the book he seeks to ban.
Along with lacking a sense of irony, Verm clearly doesn't grasp the concept of context. The drinking involved is portrayed in a highly negative light--as a narcotic to numb the brain damaging effects of thoughtless society. The smoking? Historically appropriate. The biblical references? Mostly positive.
Oh, yeah, I also challenge his arguement that the book should be removed from the school because it offends his religous belief--perhaps he should return to Civics class and learn about the separation of Church and State.
Finally, if he's up in arms about Farenheit 451, I can't wait to see what he does when his daughter brings home Catcher in the Rye.
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Heather 10-04-2006 @ 10:48AM
I saw the list of books that were banned or tried to be banned in the USA I was shocked. Judy Blume must have been the most common Author on there. Are you there God it's me Margaret, and Blubber were on the list.
Why are so many people afraid of letting thier kids read a book and have thier won opinion, They are people too.
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ann adams 10-04-2006 @ 11:20AM
When I wrote my own post about Banned (challenged) Books Week, the first book that sprang to mind was Fahrenheit 451.
I'm not surprised that he hasn't read it. It's typical of "my mind is made up; don't confuse me with facts".
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Michelle 10-04-2006 @ 1:25PM
A mother in our county wants to ban Harry Potter books. She has taken it to the state school board because she failed on the county level. BTW, she wants them banned from the school library because they discuss witchcraft. She fails to see that she would have to have "Macbeth", "Sleeping Beauty", "Little Mermaid" and others for the same reason. If she doesn't want her child to read a certain book, she should ban it in her own home. I dislike when people think I can't parent my own children and decide what they can or cannot do, watch, read, or say. That is my job, not hers. I wouldn't presume to tell her she should let her child read "Harry Potter". That is her business, not mine. It's a 2-way street.
The list of banned books is ridiculous. The books on it are ones we read all through school, from elementary through college. Many of them have historical value. Also, a great number of them are on my bookshelf waiting for my children to be old and mature enough to read them.
Sometimes people piss me off!
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Alysa age: 14 12-10-2006 @ 8:28PM
My english teacher has assigned us a project where we have to read a banned or challenged book; then we are supposed to resherch on why it was banned or challenged and then we're supposed to go to a libary or a teacher or a student who has gone through the banning prosess and interview them on there thoughts.then we write two essays; one on why we think the book is challenged and another essay in the perspective of a person who went throgh the prosess on the book you read. So far i'm finding the project a very enjoyable and interesting prosess and i hope that i'll never be banned from reading a book just from what other people think!!!!
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