Banned Books Week

[Buttercup]

It is a parent's job to decide what is age-appropriate for his or her children, and then work within the parameters of that decision.

Can I get an amen?

 

[Buttercup]

How come D&D is never on these lists.

Because the book banners have bigger fish to fry these days.

I can only speak for my library system, but we stock plenty of D&D stuff, as well as Vampire and GURPS. We carry Magic: The Gathering books and computer game hint books too. And I've yet to have a single complaint about any of them.

 

[Crothian]

In seven years, that has shut every one of them up. Because it's the truth, and the truth shall set you free.

Just another reason for:


http://www.enworld.org/forums/showthread.php?t=58538

 

[jgbrowning]

But whose definition of appropriate are we going to use?

I manage a branch library in a large public library system. About half a dozen times each year, I end up with a parent in my office complaining about the 'appropriateness' of something they found on our shelf. The following is exactly what I tell them.

"I'm glad you came to talk to me. I can see that you are a concerned parent, and that's wonderful. And I fully support your right to control what your children read. I support it so much that I wouldn't dream of taking that right away from you. But here's the thing. I also support the right of every other parent who uses this library to control what *their* children read. And sometimes, not all parents agree on what is or is not appropriate. For example, we have a book on our shelf called Daddy's Roommate which is the story, told through a child's eyes, of his gay father and the father's new boyfriend. Some of our patrons don't want their children to read that book, for various reasons. But some other of our patrons want and need that book, because it reflects their lifestyle. Now, however you might feel about the choices those other parents have made, the truth is that they pay taxes just like you do, and I do, and every other adult in this county does. This library and its collection belong to *all* of us. So I have to buy books that appeal to many different sorts of people. You can find books in this building that represent every point on the political spectrum, from far right to far left. You can find books that address opposite sides of controversial issues here. Pro abortion and anti abortion. Pro homosexuality and anti homosexuality. Pro Harry Potter and anti Harry Potter. I invite you to read the books that appeal to you, and to select the books for your children that are appropriate for you family's values. Isn't it wonderful that we live in a free country where we can all make these decisions for ourselves?"

In seven years, that has shut every one of them up. Because it's the truth, and the truth shall set you free.

Beware Librarians wielding the most rightous truth!





I'd love to be a fly on the wall in your office. The facial expressions must be priceless.

joe b.

 

[Buttercup]

Oh, stop, Crothian.

 

[geezerjoe]

It is my dream to one day write a series of fantasy books

If anyone wants to burn them I will:
1) know I've "made it" and
2) I'll give them a discount case rate

To dream, and so to live ... ahhh (is that a quote?)

l8r)

Joe2Old

 

[Czhorat]

My point, which I suppose I didn't make clearly enough, is that young people are not always going to have Mommy and Daddy deciding what is or is not safe for them to read. Hiding a twelve year old from the existence of homosexuality, anti-semitism, Christianity, Paganism, or any other school of thought which a parent might not agree with is a lazy and short-sighted approach. Energy is MUCH better spent in giving young men and women a moral compass, discussing what they read, and trying to draw lessons both in favor and against the messages contained in those books. If kids don't yet know not to believe everythign they read, then use the books that you would challenge to TEACH them that lesson. Then you'll be raising critical thinkers who will be able to deal with many sorts of information.

 

[Lord Ravinous]

Once again, it all falls back to parents taking an active role in their childrens' lives. I agree with Green Knight that some things on that list shouldn't be in a K-8 School, but I see few problems in a High School atmosphere, and definatly no prob in a Public Library. I just seems that anymore people would just as soon put up a wall around a dangerous place they don't want they're children to go instead of simply talking to their kids and explaining to them what they shouldnt do.

EDIT: *tries to be less offensive*

 

[Steverooo]

Creative Book Banning

The Anarchist Cookbook by William Powell

Actually, this book (and many more) have been pretty much banned. There are many creative ways to do it...

First, the BAT&F tried to get all "Convert Your Weapon to Full Auto" books banned. This failed. Next, they tried to get a law passed which, while allowing the books to be sold and possessed, made it illegal to own both the book and a length of pipe, claiming this showed intent to violate the law (despite the fact that building & zoning laws require houses to possess water pipes, apparently). This law passed, and is currently in effect.

Next, there was the murder case where the book (IIRC entitled Hit Man, by someone styling himself "Rex Feral") was supposedly used as the blueprint. This groundbreaking case basically made the authors, publishers, and distributors of certain types of books liable for any crimes committed by third persons using their information... Thus, Hit Man (or whatever it was called) is basically unavailable, as are most explosive books, etc.

This is the same tactic being used by anti-firearms groups, who sue the gun manufacturers for crimes committed with guns. The criminals aren't responsible for their actions, the publishers, distributors, and manufacturers are...

No doubt The Anarchist Cookbook will soon be (effectively) banned, as most explosives books currently are. Then the Chemistry textbooks will have to have certain key chapters removed (especially Exothermic Reactions).

 

[Mach2.5]

Next, there was the murder case where the book (IIRC entitled Hit Man, by someone styling himself "Rex Feral") was supposedly used as the blueprint. This groundbreaking case basically made the authors, publishers, and distributors of certain types of books liable for any crimes committed by third persons using their information... Thus, Hit Man (or whatever it was called) is basically unavailable, as are most explosive books, etc

I remember hearing about this case, but I do not recall the specific title itself either. I also recall quite vividly that a novel I was pitching was turned down for just this reason. I was told flatly, "Its too detailed in regards to the methods. We [the publishing company] don't want some freak using your script as some damn Dummies Guide to offing old ladies." I was told to edit out alot of the details, which I refused to do since many of them served as alegory within the context of the story. Needless to say, I still have that script sitting at my home, collecting dust. I've not tried to pitch it since.