[CALIBK12] Brown Angels by Walter Dean Myers

Mon Feb 16 20:46:44 PST 2009

Censorship is always a difficult issue.  Of all the things to object to in the grand scheme of things, "ain't" seems a stretch.  That is a new one for me and would have really bugged me, and I might have pulled out a dictionary right then and there, but perhaps with elementary school that may not be the best approach.  Yet, using the argument that "ain't" is not considered slang anymore should provide some substance when you go to your principal.  Take a photocopy of the dictionary definition and do a quick right up on context, usage, etc.  

As for the color of the heart, did this parent not read the title, "Brown Angels?"  He did not seem to object to that.  It seemed that picked and chose his objections.  I would recommend explaining the term(s) in context of what Walter Dean Myers is doing with this work.  His themes and situations are often very poignant and highlight aspects of African-American culture.  You might have a brief explanation of the work in context available with the book as a stop-gap measure and compromise.  No one has to choose to take it, mind you, but they can take it.  That should cover any further issues.  This work should not be pulled, and I think it was a good choice for this month.

As for the censorship itself, no one has the right to censor someone else.  A person only has the right to censor him/herself.  Cite the ALA's "Code of Ethics,"  "Freedom to Read Statement," and anything else that you can find to defend your position of non-censorship and non-bias approaches to acquisition and availability.  Do you have a policy in place for challenges?  If not, you might write one and have it approved by administration and your local school board.  That way you have everything in writing and are more likely to be backed up if a similar situation arises.  

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From: calibk12-bounces at lists.sjsu.edu on behalf of Koneff, Carole
Sent: Sun 2/15/2009 6:49 AM
To: calibk12 at lists.sjsu.edu
Subject: [CALIBK12] Brown Angels by Walter Dean Myers

Good morning one and all:

I work as a library aide in an elementary school for the Los Angeles Unified School District.  I have been doing it for five years and like all of you, love my job.  This is my first time using the list to guage opinions about something.

This relates more to elementary school folk as far as the book goes, but I will be interested to hear opinions from everyone who would like to comment.

How many of you are familiar with the book Brown Angels by Walter Dean Myers?  I like this book very much and have been using it on a reading challenge open to grades 2 to 5.  They all read the same books as this challenge is not based on reading levels and 2nd graders may have as much help from a parent as required.  Last Thursday, a parent of a 2nd grader came into the library to tell me that he thought this book completely inappropriate for a 2nd grader and could not understand why I had chosen to use it.  I asked him to explain what he found inappropriate because I told him that I personally did not see anything to send any warning flags when I first read and decided to use the book.  He specifically objected to the use of the word "ain't" in the poem called They.  He actually called it slang, I chose not to correct him.  He thought it wrong to encourage our children to speak incorrectly.  He then went on to say that he objected to the phrase "black heart" in the poem ca!

 lled Pride.  He did not want his son to think that we all had different colored hearts but that we are all the same.  On this one, I begged to differ with him (I am white and it is a white parent just for the record), but explained that I felt the author was using the phrase to emphasize how proud all the people who have come before and paved the way have felt.  He didn't like this answer much.  He even threw the word "racial" at me at one point.  He did not raise his voice or insult me other than the fact that he was questioning my judgment!

I advised him that it had been a while since I had read it so I would take another look at it and also seek another opinion which I did.  I spoke to the teacher of the student who supported my findings as did the assistant principal.  We are all of different ethnic origins.  Not that that should make any difference, but he started it!  The teacher spoke to him but as he was unhappy that she didn't agree he went to the assistant principal.  Unhappy that she didn't agree he went to the Principal.  Let me make it clear, he did not request that the book be removed from the library, just from my reading challenge.  I gave the principal a summary of events, printed out all the reviews for the book and waited.   I also told her that if he was specifically upset about the use of the word "ain't" as far as 2nd graders go then perhaps I should be removing half the books in the library!   She called me in to say that she thought I should remove it from the challenge and she would tell !

 the parent that but that it would remain available for general circulation.  I advised her that while I knew she had a difficult job to do and dealing with parents can be quite interesting, I did not concur with her decision and felt that she should have told the parent that while we appreciate everyone's right to their opinion, it is not up to us to censor it for someone else.  I even said that I would substitute the book for that student but that was not good enough. 

Sorry that this is getting a bit long, but I wanted to explain it fully.  I feel unable to let the parent win and let the matter rest and so have reserved my right to appeal her decision once I have gathered more information and opinions, so this is where you all come in.  I would like to hear positive and negative views on both the book, my choice to use it, and what has happened here.   I have been so preoccupied with this this weekend that I have written a poem about the book being challenged.  I would be happy to share that with anyone who is interested.

Thank you for your time.

Carole Koneff

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