Of Mice And Men- Banned from KCK Curriculum

So I am sure most people know about banned books. Apparently Of Mice and Men is next on the chopping block for the KCK school district.

A Concerned parent told the school that she and her son were uncomfortable reading the book Of Mice And Men By Jon Steinbeck. Dana Washington says that the book,"uses the N word more times than a rap song" and is very offensive. But why? isn't historical fiction a big part of literature and understanding how people lived in the past?

When a student at Washington high school rejected the use of the N word in the story an unnamed teacher stated in effect that he did not see any reason to be upset about it because the students use it in the hallway all of the time.

I personally have read books and seen movies that have used the N word more times then in Steinbeck's book. And I see my African American classmates seemingly glorifying the use of the N word. Not to completely defend the English Teacher but I have heard students use the N word many times and they regard it as a term of endearment. When we read a 'Of Mice And Men' type of book they complain about how it is offensive and how we are reading it because the teachers are racists.

The book is currently on review by the school board as to whether it should stay in the curriculum or not.

Dana Washington mother of the offended student has said, "Why is it that only [racial terms are]the ones used for African Americans that are used as a teaching tool?" I somewhat remember students reading books in class talking about Jews and how they're are oppressed which include terms that are use to degrade them.

My Answer?  Do not talk unless all the facts are presented to you and learn that this is a part of our history that is going to be around forever. You might as well live with the fact that this is part of the curriculum and they only have to read this one time. Also if your child goes to college then they might have to read the book again. If they choose not to then they have the choice of an alternative. If that choice is not presented to them then they have the choice to leave the class.

Sanctuary Gets Hype

SCI FI laid out its biggest show for the fall. Sanctuary, a series about protecting the things that go bump in the night. Stargate SG-1's Amanda Tapping stars as Dr. Helen Magnus. a Doctor within the Sanctuary. She hires a man named Dr. Will Zimmerman (Dunne) to help her protect the various creatures that walk the Earth.

Sanctuary used to be a Web Series that premiered Spring of 2007. it gained popularity very quickly and people asked for it to be put on television. i guess that SCI FI heard the call and answered it because May of 2008 the SCI FI channel played its first teaser trailer for the show.

Do not forget to Tune into the SCI FI channel Friday October 3rd for the Premiere starting at 9:00 CST

More Palin V McCain

Palin announced today that She did not believe that the media coverage in the past has not been sexist or gender motivated. this is in exact contradiction to the statements that have been coming out of the McCain Campaign calling things like SNL and even the regular news has been sexist.

She states that the coverage is fact in that she is not "part of the Washington crowd"

Public Displays Of Affection

Public Displays of Affection (PDA) is a common act among people in love. Especially in their teenage years. Many people scorn this calling it inappropriate. But why? How? How can it be inappropriate? How can you deny the most basic show of love as something that is wrong?

PDA is usually harmless. Holding hands, a short kiss, carrying the other person’s book bags. How could this be seen as an act of a malicious nature?

Some of the most reoccurring arguments for PDA are that it disturbs the workplace. It creates an adult like environment, or that it will grow into more inappropriate behavior. I guess, not really, are you kidding me?

I can see a little bit of truth in the argument that it will disturb the workplace. The main place that PDA is seen is in high school. I guess that if I am really to think about it I don’t want to see an entire hallway full of couples kissing. I have seen Public Displays of Affection in school but I have to say that I am not disturbed and I am sure that the kids that have also witnessed this will agree that they have not been disturbed or mentally scarred for life.

The second argument of it creates an adult like environment. I have to somewhat disagree. If you think about it then you could see that we are pretty much adults, especially when we are 17. Being that age creates a grey area as to whether you are an adult or not.

The third and last common argument, I have to say is downright BS. There is no better way to put it. PDA will not lead to more inappropriate behavior. We will not all of a sudden have public displays of sexual relations. There is no way to possibly water down this rant. This is probably the most overused, incomplete and worthless argument ever known to combat this topic.

In my opinion PDA is something that is going to happen and should happen with minimal to no moderation. Let us be the judges of what is proper to do. There is no other way to put this. Kids will be kids and we will do kid things.