School pulls ‘Finn’ and ‘Mockingbird’ over slurs: ‘not right to put that in a book"

[Valeron]

Lazy teachers, parents and school board. Shameful.

I guarantee that almost all of the teachers wouldn't be in favor of this. But they have no say in it.

[Paranoid Android]

"OMG THAT BOOK HAS THE N WORD IN IT"

*puts on radio*



"Luv me sum rap"

Somehow not surprised this parent missed the message of TKAM.

First off this is not even a song. Gangsta Rap: The Glockumentary. Guess you are too ignorant to look this up.

Second. We do not require kids in school to listen to any music with profanity in it as curriculum.

[Self Inflicted Wounds]

As it stands, they've simply suspended its use in order to take time to discuss it, which I think is fine, even if perhaps unnecessary. The conclusion one will hope they come to is that they should continue covering the literature, though perhaps reevaluating the age at which it's taught (and I'm not sure what age To Kill a Mockingbird is usually taught at, as it somehow escaped my schooling) in order to teach it at a time when students are better able to really make use of the material for thoughtful discussion. It's hard to be opposed to periodically reopening discussions about things of this nature though, as perspectives and pragmatic value can change over time.

It was taught at my HS in the 11th and 12th grades.

And the OPs post states they suspended (banned, essentially) the books usage in both the library and the classroom. So its not as if they just stopped using it as part of the curriculum. Its straight up not available.

[Dequanacus]

The validity of their position does not hinge on the validity of their solution.

And I never argued as such, I argued that an understanding of their concern in this scenario only leads me to be more inclined to "judge people"

[Jakisuaki]

Atleast the other parents were reasonable. It's not fair to take action based on the accusations of one misinformed and admittedly not very bright mother.

[GennGreymane]

Shouldn't you be making an effort on getting Tennistroll's thoughts on this very serious matter?!

I have tried, but @Tennisace must be busy doing good works.

[nextormento]

As it stands, they've simply suspended its use in order to take time to discuss it, which I think is fine, even if perhaps unnecessary. The conclusion one will hope they come to is that they should continue covering the literature, though perhaps reevaluating the age at which it's taught (and I'm not sure what age To Kill a Mockingbird is usually taught at, as it somehow escaped my schooling) in order to teach it at a time when students are better able to really make use of the material for thoughtful discussion. It's hard to be opposed to periodically reopening discussions about things of this nature though, as perspectives and pragmatic value can change over time.

I imagine Mockingbird to be 12 and up or so. Along with empathy, a major theme is understanding injustice -racial injustice, no less- through the eyes of a child, so it is a bit mature. I haven't read Finn.
I'll note that discussing what ages can make use of it is entirely removed from the complaint: they'd be taking action against an issue that wasn't raised.
But I'm not entirely sure that they'll review age: they've also suspended it from library access. So it is temporary, it appears, but it's a measure for everybody.

[yetgdhfgh]

Im English and i had to read and study to kill a mockingbird in England thats how influential that book is and its a book that symbolizes the fight against racism and they wanna pull it cause it contains words like nigger?

[nextormento]

I would expect that in reviewing this material, the relevant people would likely deviate a bit from the specific claim to look at it in a more holistic manner. They aren't SCOTUS and are not compelled to be as narrow as possible in their ruling.

Right, I meant it as a conciliatory token: they're hearing a complain, but not necessarily bending to demands (which would be what OP framed it as).

[Cthulhu 2020]

This isn't a political maneuver in any sense. This is an idiot being an idiot. If you want to debate revisionist history based on political bias we can do that but I'd suggest making another thread.

Pretty much. A helicopter parent is a helicopter parent. They're on both sides. Honestly the best way to make people outraged by the use of "nigger" and other racial slurs is to show just how ugly it once was in this country, to showcase that people back then had dark and prejudiced souls, not to rewrite history so that racism never existed.

Actually last I knew, it was the conservatives who were trying to remove slavery and racism from the history books, so if there's any political agenda here, it's closer to that.

[nextormento]

A helicopter parent is a helicopter parent. They're on both sides.

To be frank, I have trouble thinking about this one as a SJW type thing. Taking issue with Mockingbird, of all things, sounds like concern trolling at best.

[Mehrunes]

It's just hard to keep up with what types of people are automatically unreasonable and horrible human beings for taking issue with anything ever.

"Anything ever". "Words in a book" (or "things similar in importance and/or impact - or lack of thereof - as words in a book" in before you get pedantic about the "types" part). Hmmm, I don't know about your eyes, but mine spot a difference.

[Rudkobing]

/facepalm

I can't facepalm enough over this.

It is ONLY a classic.

[Mehrunes]

Those sound like wonderful examples to contextualize why and how certain words hurt.
Lost learning opportunity, at best.
What is the alternative book anyway?.

Hello Kitty Island Adventure: The Novel?

[Jon]

I thought "feminist-SJWs" were dumb fucking millennial college students. Now you're telling me they're any parents who object to extremely controversial language?

Yeah, I stopped reading the op's post right after that comment, overtly conservative parents aren't exactly known for being feminist-SJWs. Some people just like to throw around words like 'feminist' and 'SWJ' around a lot because they're clueless.

[Mister Cheese]

Screw them. To Kill a Mockingbird is a very important book. It shows what a shitty time it was in the depression. And it sheds light in important subjects. Most notably to stand up for what you believe is right. Even if everyone is against you.

[Gib Lover]

Don't give even half a fuck about Finn, but Mockingbird is literally one of the most important books to read as a developing young adult.

[Saucexorzski]

This is along the same lines of stupid as Mel Brooks film Blazing Saddles being too racist.

[Mister Cheese]

This is along the same lines of stupid as Mel Brooks film Blazing Saddles being too racist.

I don't think an issue was ever brought up about Blazing Saddles ever? Has anyone gone after that film?

[yetgdhfgh]

I don't think an issue was ever brought up about Blazing Saddles ever? Has anyone gone after that film?

"Excuse me while I whip this out"