Moxie Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 This is so dumb. A local family is *marching* in front of the middle school because the literature class is reading Hunger Games. The school has a policy that the parents can substitute any book that they object too but that isn't good enough for them. These people pulled their child out of school for the day, gave her a sign that says "I don't want to kill" (WTH???), and had her march in front of her own school. Poor kid! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KungFuPanda Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 Wackadoos! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elegantlion Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 Have they actually read the books? :willy_nilly: :blink: :confused: mind-boggling Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MFG Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 I suppose everyone needs a hobby. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charcat13 Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 I'll bet they've never read a single page of it. I remember being disturbed when a friend said her daughter was reading it because of all I had heard about it. Then I read it and couldn't figure out why everyone was whining about it. I'll never comment on or judge a book again by what others say. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather in Neverland Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 My goodness. Don't tell anyone I let my students read... Gasp... Romeo and Juliet... At a CHRISTIAN school. The killing, the drinking, the sex, and more killing. Oh the horror! How could I have been so irresponsible as to let my students read such filth??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MercyA Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 These people pulled their child out of school for the day, gave her a sign that says "I don't want to kill" (WTH???), and had her march in front of her own school. What?!? :confused1: They are obviously completely missing the point of the books. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinder Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 My goodness. Don't tell anyone I let my students read... Gasp... Romeo and Juliet... At a CHRISTIAN school. The killing, the drinking, the sex, and more killing. Oh the horror! How could I have been so irresponsible as to let my students read such filth??? My ds's attend a Christian school and they read R&J also. AND--they were allowed to read The Hunger Games as one of their summer reading selections last year. :eek: :D :D :D I'm not aware of any loud objections to that title being offered as one of the choices. ETA: The "I don't want to kill" sign confuses me. What's that supposed to mean? Is it like how some people thought reading Harry Potter would turn kids into devil worshipers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barefoot Explorer Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 Gah! Censorship drives me insane, even when it is directed towards a book that I am not a huge fan of. This reminds me of how there were people at my Christian school who didn't want The Chronicles of Narnia on the reading list because there was a witch in it. I don't know whether to just get mad or to pity them for their ignorance and move on. In college I went to a class called Banned Books and Censorship where we read through some of the most banned books throughout history. Some were great and others were terrible, but I don't think that it is right to ban something simply because you disagree with it. One of my favorite books, "A Wrinkle in Time" has been censored hundreds of times since it was first printed. I think that this comes from parents whose goal is to shelter their kids from everything instead of teaching them the skills to approach books with an analytical mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexigail Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 That's like banning Ferenheit 451 because you object to book burning ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Marple Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 Poor girl! A newly married young lady I know from church used FB to post about the movie. She claimed it was dark and left her feeling empty. Um...yeah, it's dystopian literature. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milovany Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 Meh. I'm just thankful they have the freedom to protest. That's a good thing, no? Even if you don't agree with their opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom-ninja. Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 Meh. I'm just thankful they have the freedom to protest. That's a good thing, no? Even if you don't agree with their opinion. Of course it is. We also have the freedom to think and say what we think about their protesting. Namely, it's stupid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nmoira Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 Of course it is. We also have the freedom to think and say what we think about their protesting. Namely, it's stupid. But the poor kid... :sad: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milovany Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 Of course it is. We also have the freedom to think and say what we think about their protesting. Namely, it's stupid. True that. And they probably think your opinion is stupid. It's a great country where we can have opinions and express them. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renthead Mommy Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 I feel sorry for the kid. With a family like that she was probably already somewhat of a social outcast at school. This just sealed the deal for her. Especially since every other kid will read the books and then really not get what her/their point was. It will just make her freaky. The HP thing drove me crazy. There was a one woman in play group that was completely against it. She didn't have clue about it, was basing everything on what someone at church told her their mother's minister had said. You don't want to read it, fine. But don't make stuff up you don't know anything about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barefoot Explorer Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 It is wonderful that we have the freedom to protest, but what these people are doing is trying to take away other's freedom to read a book. That is what I have a problem with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommaduck Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 Go out there and hand them literature on homeschooling? Funny what people protest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom-ninja. Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 True that. And they probably think your opinion is stupid. It's a great country where we can have opinions and express them. :) Oh, I'm sure there's a lot about me that they would think is stupid or worse. :tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommaduck Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 Go out there and hand them literature on homeschooling? Funny what people protest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom-ninja. Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 It is wonderful that we have the freedom to protest, but what these people are doing is trying to take away other's freedom to read a book. That is what I have a problem with. Are they? Or are they just being very public about their own beliefs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milovany Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 Are they? Or are they just being very public about their own beliefs? Yeah, I didn't see anything in the OP about them trying to get the book banned. There are a lot of supposings and assumptions being made about this family in this thread, and if I have a problem with anything in this scenario, that's it. People read something and immediately caricaturize a family without knowing anything about them except that they don't like a book that others like. Assumptions are being alluded to that this "poor child" is being forced to do something by her "crazy" parents when we have no idea whether or not they've read the book and what the discussion was like in their home. We have no idea, and they have the freedom to express their opinion. That's my point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FaithManor Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 My goodness. Don't tell anyone I let my students read... Gasp... Romeo and Juliet... At a CHRISTIAN school. The killing, the drinking, the sex, and more killing. Oh the horror! How could I have been so irresponsible as to let my students read such filth??? Snicker, snicker, snicker...we just finished an in depth study of R & J (much to the chagrin of my anti-romance boys) because a local theater company - well, not local but close enough to be worth making the long commute to - is performing the play. I always tell Christian parents that are against the classics (not suggesting that HG is by any definition "classic", talking about other traditional historical literature) that if they object to much of this type of content, then they had better make sure their children don't read the Old Testament. If one had to give that a rating, it would be R! The world is filthy and kids do have to deal with that. I'm not for gratuitious violence and s&x just for the sake thereof. But, sometimes, you have to have some discourse and debate about the nasty issues. I am sure some think the Hunger Games is gratuitous and others see a lot of discussion that can take place about dictators, regimes, parallels to the Roman Empire, personal responsibility, facing the ultimate test of your faith and morals, etc. We found a lot that was worth discussing and though the reading level is certainly not challenging, dh and I were able to challenge the boys' thinking on situational ethics. So we felt it had value. Seriously, marching against it! If they were allowed to just say, "Hey, I don't want my kid to read that!" and then choose something else, they've got no business making such a scene. There was a policy in place that protected their right for family values to trump the assignment. They should be thrilled. In most schools, you read what you are assigned period and get a 0 if you don't. Parents need not complain; it will fall on deaf ears. The "march" appears maybe to be just attention seeking since their child would not have been forced to read the book. Faith Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joker Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 Here's a link if anyone is interested. I don't think the girl is being forced because she seems to believe just as her parents do. She even states once that she feels one of the students may read this book now and then grow up to kill someone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest inoubliable Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 Meh. People are funny. I'd go by and hand them copies of 50 Shades of Gray. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Word Nerd Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 I think 6th grade is a little young for it to be assigned reading, but the protest seems rather silly. The girl is seriously worried someone will read the book and kill people? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milovany Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 Seriously, marching against it! If they were allowed to just say, "Hey, I don't want my kid to read that!" and then choose something else, they've got no business making such a scene... :blink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caroline Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 The school already had a policy in place so the child didn't have to read the book. So if they aren't protesting to keep the whole school from reading the book, what are they protesting? Yeah, I didn't see anything in the OP about them trying to get the book banned. There are a lot of supposings and assumptions being made about this family in this thread, and if I have a problem with anything in this scenario, that's it. People read something and immediately caricaturize a family without knowing anything about them except that they don't like a book that others like. Assumptions are being alluded to that this "poor child" is being forced to do something by her "crazy" parents when we have no idea whether or not they've read the book and what the discussion was like in their home. We have no idea, and they have the freedom to express their opinion. That's my point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Word Nerd Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 I'd go by and hand them copies of 50 Shades of Gray. Why? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jolley Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 Could it be an overreaction to the violence in that area lately? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nmoira Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 Why? If nothing else, it could give them a better appreciation of Collins' prose. :p Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milovany Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 The school already had a policy in place so the child didn't have to read the book. So if they aren't protesting to keep the whole school from reading the book, what are they protesting? Possibly to say that they don't think it's a good choice of reading material for kids that age? I don't know. I haven't talked to them. They are free to express their opinion, though, and that's what they're doing. Maybe they're just trying to get people to think rather than just do. I'm transcribing a high school English class this year, and I could see where some of these choices in literature are left wanting. If I were a parent, I might think there are better choices and might state so. I may not do a public protest, but I have the freedom to if I wanted to. That's all I'm saying. Why be so critical -- and why try to define and analyze everything to the nth degree -- when all they're doing is exercising a freedom they have to express an opinion about a book? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milovany Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 I don't disagree, but really I thought we were just kinda talking about it, not really being harsh exactly. At the end of the day I could care less if she wants to march in front of the school. You're right. I removed the word "harsh" before I even saw this post of yours. And as to the second part of your post -- I agree with that, too. My thoughts have been stated and now I have no more time/energy to donate to this thread . :) Off I go to buy Chex Mix ingredients for the "Little Dorritt" party my girls are going to tonight and to prepare our home for the visit of one of our former priests who is dropping by for a visit today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest inoubliable Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 Why? Seemed to me they could loosen up a bit. I've heard that book is good for that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caroline Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 Possibly to say that they don't think it's a good choice of reading material for kids that age? How is that different than wanting the book removed from the school's reading list? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dragons in the flower bed Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 Especially since every other kid will read the books and then really not get what her/their point was. I'm against censorship, but I read these books and I was horrified too. Still kind of am. I wish the universal reaction to teenagers killing each other was, "I can't stand to hear any details about that! How awful!" I don't think you should assume that everyone who reads them will not get why the protesters were doing that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrothead Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 I think it is a little over the top. They did have the choice to not read the book. I'm glad to see parents involved, even if they are getting carried away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stansclan89 Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 The interview said that the school sent home a letter telling them that they were reading the book and why and that there was an alternative book to read if parents didn't want their child to read it. Her parents did not read the letter and were not aware that she was reading it until she had read half of it. That is her parents own fault. She is learning a lot though about standing up for what you believe and freedom of speech. That could be a very good lesson to learn. I read the Hunger Games and thought they were extremely dark. If I had realized that they would be so sad, I wouldn't have read them. I kept thinking there would be a happy ending eventually and there never was. That is the nature of these types of novels though. But at the same time, I can see some great discussions coming from them and it wouldn't hurt for them to start in middle school, especially in public school. It would help them think about the results of violence and hopefully see that there are no good results on any side. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stansclan89 Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 DP--(Why did this happen?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stansclan89 Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 I would have let my 4th grader read it understanding that they would not comprehend everything in it. I would also make them read it when they were older so we could discuss it again. None of my kids has wanted to read them. Something about hsing and not wanting to do what everyone else is doing...if everyone else their age had not been reading it, they probably would have ;) . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Word Nerd Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 Ridiculous. I've read far racier books than that when I was in school. Heck, history books are racier than that. They are protesting it because of the violence. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susan in TN Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 A new and exciting way to incorporate Phys. Ed. into your school day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommaduck Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 They are protesting it because of the violence. To be honest, I found it less disturbing than being made to watch The Lottery in lit class. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigMamaBird Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 Hmm. The whole point of the book is about how violence is not entertainment and the sacrifices we make for those we love are what should be admired. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SproutMamaK Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 gave her a sign that says "I don't want to kill" (WTH???) Ironic since that would pretty much be the point the books are making.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PachiSusan Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 I agree that she should be able to make her voice heard, but it does seem weird that she was given an "opt out" choice and she is still protesting. That tells me that there is more than what we see going on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FaithManor Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 :blink: My reason for saying this is that they had recourse. Their was a policy that allowed them to opt out. So, their constitutional rights weren't being violated. At this point, it then becomes nothing more than disruptive of school for all of the other children which is a violation of their rights. See, no ones rights extend past the rights of another. It has to be balanced. The school had a fair and balanced policy that allowed them to choose something else. No violation occured. They have a constitutional right to protest though there are some legal restrictions. I shouldn't have stated it the way I did. I'm sorry about that. However, the fact of the matter is that their rights weren't violated which makes the March a moot point, which means that all they are doing is being disruptive. While that might be constitutionally protected (though it could also be argued and unfortunately has been successfully argued in a number of cases that if you enroll your child is school A, then you are voluntarily making yourself subject to the policies of school A), the march is not warranted. That is the way I should have stated it. The march is unwarranted. Sorry for the stronger language. Yes, I agree they have a right to it. I just have to question the validity of their reasoning because their rights weren't actually violated and they had perfectly acceptable redress through the school policy. Thanks for reminding me that my wording was very poor. Faith Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest inoubliable Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 I agree that she should be able to make her voice heard, but it does seem weird that she was given an "opt out" choice and she is still protesting. That tells me that there is more than what we see going on. *shrug* People aren't required to get abortions. They can "opt out" and continue their pregnancy. But they'll still protest clinics. I don't think there's anything more to the story. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corraleno Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 I think it's rather ironic that these parents — who didn't read the letter the school sent out a month before the book was assigned, and who didn't pay attention to what their daughter was reading until she was halfway through the book — are carrying signs urging other parents to "step up" and get involved in their kids' educations. :rolleyes: Since they are the only ones protesting this, I presume that the vast majority of the parents who got the letter either approved the reading assignment or requested the alternative assignment that the school offered to provide. Removing the book from the school reading list, as they demand, would in fact take away the other parents' rights to choose what their kids read. Of course they do have the right to protest; they also have the right to look stupid. Doesn't mean it's a good idea. Jackie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirty ethel rackham Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 Here's a link if anyone is interested. I don't think the girl is being forced because she seems to believe just as her parents do. She even states once that she feels one of the students may read this book now and then grow up to kill someone. Bwaahh! Now that is stupid. Completely missing the point of the book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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