[CALIBK12] Brown Angels by Walter Dean Myers

[Blanche Woolls]

Judy Krug, the formidable head of the American Library Association's 
Intellectual Freedom office who speaks on censorship, how to combat, etc.
tells her audiences not to argue with the higher authority. That can get 
you fired or jailed or .... If you are brave and do that and, indeed, are 
fired, the next person to take the job will be much less inclined to fight 
censorship.

However, she did say that you should have those same administrators 
present when you removed the book from the shelf and you should have a 
lengthy, written statement -- no three minute spot -- parts of the ALA 
Intellectual Freedom statement, how this is depriving students of their 
right to information, and you read it as you are removing the book from 
the shelf. She guarantees that after the second time those same 
administrators have to stand while you read the statement, it is very 
unlikely there will not be a third.

She also says that if you are caught with a censor in front of you, go to 
your desk and collect your collection development policy and the form to 
complete, go to your principal's office to report the possibility and 
suggest the principal should inform the superintendent's secretary.

And, she offers a little hand holding if you feel all alone and can't 
think of anyone else to call. ALA has a toll free line and that number is 
1-800-545-2433. The Intellectual Freedom office extension is 4222. We do 
have a two-hour time difference, but if your challenge occurs at 4:00 p.m. 
(which is 6:00 p.m. there, I'd still try. Someone may be in the office.

Blanche