Happy Banned Books Week Emma!
Hey Emma Willard freshmen, did you know that the book that you are discussing in English class today is one of the most challenged books in America? What do I mean by challenged? The American Library Association (ALA) defines it as:
“A challenge is an attempt to remove or restrict materials, based upon the objections of a person or group. A banning is the removal of those materials. Challenges do not simply involve a person expressing a point of view; rather, they are an attempt to remove material from the curriculum or library, thereby restricting the access of others.”
I keep asking freshmen why they think so many people take offense with Alexie’s book. A few girls have mentioned racist stereotypes, others have mentioned some sexual content that some might find offensive. Here’s an explanation of why some parents have asked for it to be removed from their school’s shelves.
So yesterday I attended a combined English/History department meeting and learned about a very cool pilot program they are trying where a freshman English and History class are taught in tandem. Lines overlap. According to Mr. Mossop and Mr. Hatala, students aren’t really discussing HISTORY or ENGLISH in this class, they’re discussing life. Mesopotamian culture is studied and Hammurabi’s Code is compared and contrasted with the culture and unwritten rules present on the Res in Alexie’s book. All of these unwritten rules that go into building these two societies are then applied to life at Emma. This is so interesting to me. Not only does it engage students in a whole new way, encouraging them to look at world (and their own) cultures and to identify commonalities throughout history, but it does something more. According to Ms. McNamara, Alexie’s book “forces readers to confront their prejudices, to recognize their assumptions about issues.” Yes, there might be some strong language and yes, it might include some scenes that make the more conservative among us squirm. But if it makes us think, if it sheds light on things like feeling like an outsider, issues of race, self-identity, alcoholism, things that we as people can relate to and that can be applied in a larger world-context; this, in my opinion, makes it a title that we should stand up and fight for.
If a book offends you, don’t read it. If you have a problem with your child being exposed to content, the first step is to move to a deserted island and/or cancel your cable subscription, avoid the evening news, and try to keep your eyes averted when passing magazine racks, billboards, or subway stations. Sorry, in all seriousness, ask for an alternative assignment. Please do not ask that entire populations bury their collective heads in the sand and miss what could possibly be a powerful learning experience.
I encourage us all to take a moment, to pick up a good book, and to celebrate our freedom to read. Daily. Not just during banned books week.
I step off my soapbox and exit stage left. Thank you. Happy Banned Books Week y’all.
Mrs. A
emmalibrary 
Thank you for keeping bold conversations alive at Emma and for ensuring that social justice issues remain intertwined in course content. Alexie’s book has been on my son’s book shelf since it came out. I am determined to make it my Thanksgiving read!