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.
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.
3 comments:
I think that more than the content of the book should be considered when selecting books for any curriculum. A component not being addressed (recognized) is the teacher.
The teacher is responsible for showing proper context, historical value, and relevance to current events and values. It could also be demonstrated as a cautionary tale.
For example, of Mice and Men's use of the n word. it was common at the point the book was written. It was also accepted. What a great way to show how we learned and grew as a society in terms of civil rights. It also affords an opportunity to show how the definition and accepted use of the word has changed over time.
If the teacher is committed to teaching the book in the appropriate context any book and its contents can be a valuable tool.
are you freaking kidding me??? that's shitty as hell! i mean sure the book does have some objectionable content in it but still. not everything needs to be banned. i personally thought the book was okay aside from it's use of the N word and even that was no gratuitous
I think you're an idiot.
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