A week ago I participated in an online book club. We all read I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou. I absolutely loved the book. This one is going on my Lifetime List of Best Books Read. As it turns out I was in the minority in my glowing report. Although it would have been nice to know there were people who saw the book the way I did, that’s not why I’m writing this today.
The book was so beautifully written that parts literally moved me to tears. Some of the book club participants agreed that it was well written, but most felt the content of this autobiography was reprehensible. One person called it trashy! Most participants wished they hadn’t read the book. One person said it should never be allowed to be read by high school students. That’s what has bothered me all week and why I am writing this post.
When my oldest child was in sixth grade he discovered science fiction/fantasy books and began devouring them. He took them to school to read when he had finished his other work. His teacher went crazy, said these books were absolutely unfit for children and shouldn’t be read by adults either. This was my first personal experience with banning books. I was horrified then and it horrifies me today. For someone else to tell me (or my child) what I can or can’t read is just plain wrong. In my opinion, all books should be available for everyone who wishes to read them. Let each individual make his/her own choices.
I’ve since learned that Maya Angelou’s books have been banned in the past. How sad that people have missed reading this beautifully written book because someone else thought they couldn’t handle it. It hurts when book banning gets too close.
3 comments
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February 10, 2009 at 7:21 am
Cerrin
I am glad I was raised by parents that believed in freedom. And the belief that every individual should be allowed to make up their own mind regarding choices for themselfs. I remember how I felt reading books in school. The school I went to was one that chose books for there written and hystoric value. I may not have always ‘liked’ all the books we were assigned to read. But I got something from each one.
My love of reading came from this. I was encouraged to try different types of books to find which ones I liked to read. I remember trying the spy novles, the science fiction, girly romance, and biographys. Reading was a pastime that the whole family enjoyed. I remember reading 1984 for the first time. I hated it. I thought how stupid. Nothing could ever be like this. Then I was encouraged to talk about it and read it again…slower. Then I understood what the meaning behind it was.
To say that books should be banned just makes me angry. Who should decide what gets banned…If it is something that makes others uncomfortable or is in a controversial nature or has too much violence…Then the Bible should be banned. It contains all of those things.
Just my 2 cents
February 10, 2009 at 2:49 pm
J. Kaye
I have so wanted to read this book and I totally agree with your opinion about banning books.
February 15, 2009 at 5:33 am
gordon jones
What a lovely adventure it was, to discover and then nose through your site. We , too, are retired. We have a touring caravan (UK) and take several trips each year. Mainly our own country, but occasional trips to France. In Australia, folks like you are known as “grey nomads”. We mixed with a few on a recent rip down under. They are really spunky, some in their 80′s. Decided to sell the family jewels,and have the freedom of RV travel. Having reared their families. Quite a few chose to travel alone, but find excellent stopover facilities in remote areas. They seem to live largely on fressh caught sea food (abundant) and rabbit.
Recycling. Granddaughters (8 of emxxx) advise me that First I must re use, where possible. Then re cycle. I do try. The reason I found your site is my interest incooking, and baking my own bread. I found the slow cooker idea interesting, and will give it a try. I did try a bread maker, but founf my normally lovely home made bread became erratic, in the breadmaker. Travel safle, stay well. Regards Gordon and Gilly Jones. Devon. UK