Don't make me smack you
All right, it's time for some indignation. I read this story this morning and was immediately annoyed and nearly insensed. Here's the long and short. Someone writes a children's book called King and King about a boy who meets his perfect prince. That's right, it's a story about a gay couple. It teaches tolerance and that people can be different. It's purchased by many PUBLIC libraries, including one in Lousiana. A kid brings the book home and guess what? Of course, the parents are outraged. This sort of thing shouldn't be in a library. Not SCHOOL library mind you, but PUBLIC library.
Now, a state representative in Louisiana wrote a resolution urging librarians to keep books with gay content away from kids. Due to the same controversy, in Oklahoma, they've introduces a bill to quote, "confine homosexually themed books and other age-inappropriate material to areas exclusively for adult access and distribution." Further, quoting from ABC News, "Last month, the U.S. Congress got involved. Rep. Walter Jones, R-N.C., proposed legislation that would require states to form local parental advisory boards to weigh in on all new library books and non-textbook school books or risk losing federal funding."
OK, what the fuck people? Are we so closed minded and afraid of homosexuality that we need to start censoring our libraries? Yes, let's put children's books in the adult section. It makes so much sense. And let's let parent's groups decide what libraries should carry. Because before you know it, they'll be banning Harry Potter because it's Satanic and Catcher in the Rye because a character says fuck. Or banning Robert Heinlein because his characters are too sexy. Or Othello because a black character is evil and causes a white guy pain just for fun.
Where does it end? Are people so afraid to tell their kids other people are different? If my 9 year old brought up the subject, I'd explain it to him gently without getting into the sex thing. You know, there are different kinds of families. Some with a mom and dad, some with two moms or two dads. You can get into the morality if it later if it's an issue. Or at least read the book first and decide whether the story is appropriate. What's the problem, you can't answer your kids questions? Are these people so insecure in their sexuality that having their kids learn about it scares them?
I just don't get it. And censorship in general really pisses me off. Call me a pinko commie liberal or something, but we have freedom of speach in this country. If your concerned about the books your kid gets from the library - GO THERE WITH HIM. You know, approve the books ahead of time. In other words, BE A PARENT, not just the person who knows where your kid is.
Ok, I'm done for now. You may resume with your regular programming.
Now, a state representative in Louisiana wrote a resolution urging librarians to keep books with gay content away from kids. Due to the same controversy, in Oklahoma, they've introduces a bill to quote, "confine homosexually themed books and other age-inappropriate material to areas exclusively for adult access and distribution." Further, quoting from ABC News, "Last month, the U.S. Congress got involved. Rep. Walter Jones, R-N.C., proposed legislation that would require states to form local parental advisory boards to weigh in on all new library books and non-textbook school books or risk losing federal funding."
OK, what the fuck people? Are we so closed minded and afraid of homosexuality that we need to start censoring our libraries? Yes, let's put children's books in the adult section. It makes so much sense. And let's let parent's groups decide what libraries should carry. Because before you know it, they'll be banning Harry Potter because it's Satanic and Catcher in the Rye because a character says fuck. Or banning Robert Heinlein because his characters are too sexy. Or Othello because a black character is evil and causes a white guy pain just for fun.
Where does it end? Are people so afraid to tell their kids other people are different? If my 9 year old brought up the subject, I'd explain it to him gently without getting into the sex thing. You know, there are different kinds of families. Some with a mom and dad, some with two moms or two dads. You can get into the morality if it later if it's an issue. Or at least read the book first and decide whether the story is appropriate. What's the problem, you can't answer your kids questions? Are these people so insecure in their sexuality that having their kids learn about it scares them?
I just don't get it. And censorship in general really pisses me off. Call me a pinko commie liberal or something, but we have freedom of speach in this country. If your concerned about the books your kid gets from the library - GO THERE WITH HIM. You know, approve the books ahead of time. In other words, BE A PARENT, not just the person who knows where your kid is.
Ok, I'm done for now. You may resume with your regular programming.
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