Censorship Challenge Report - December 2006
Reflections on First Quarter (July, August, September)
Anti-Censorship Activity
Millie Davis, Division Director, Communications and Affiliate Services
 
The good news this quarter is that the number of challenges is down a bit from the same time last fiscal year.  However, there are some disturbing trends to note.  A number of challenges were against contemporary African-American classics such as I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, The Learning Tree, and The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman, and films continue to be among the texts challenged.  In addition, several individuals who asked for help were not taking the challenge through the district policy or their district didn’t have a policy or they didn’t know about the policy. 

NCTE responded to fewer challenges during Quarter 1 of FY07 than in Quarter 1 of FY2006 (16 as compared to 21).  Most of the 16 challenges were on books but two focused on films, one concerning a principal’s removing videos from the library.  Two challenges were brought to me from others than those directly involved.  One of these involved three counties and three books (Lily’s Ghost, My Brother’s Hero, and Attack of the Mutant Underwear) listed on the Sunshine State Reading Program list.

One challenge was resolved positively during the quarter when a review committee chose to keep The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman as part of the 8th grade unit which also includes Little Women and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.

During the quarter, I sent out one letter in support of a text, fulfilled one request for information, and interviewed with Kathleen Manzo of Education Week resulting in a quote in her Banned Books Week article, “Challenged,” which ran in the September 27, 2006 issue (http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2006/09/27/05banned.h26.html).  The American Library Association held its Banned Books Week September 23-30.

Quarter 1 also saw the reinstatement of Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye to a Colorado school district’s junior and senior classes and school library shelves.  The book had been removed since it was challenged in February 2005.

NCTE’s Anti-Censorship Resources

The NCTE Anti-Censorship Web site (http://www.ncte.org/about/issues/censorship) is the first resource referenced for all who contact NCTE. All who contact NCTE receive email, telephone, or fax responses, followed by other action such as rationales, policies, advice, and letters, when requested. Many have visited the website before calling or filling out a Censorship Challenge Report.

If you are experiencing a challenge to materials or methods, or if you know someone who is, visit http://www.ncte.org/about/issues/censorship and click on the "Report a Censorship Incident" option or call Millie Davis at 800-369-6283, extension 3634 (or 217-278-3634).

Also note that NCTE now has two CD’s of rationales for challenged texts.  See
http://www.ncte.org/store/books/censorship/106101.htm and http://www.ncte.org/store/books/censorship/122791.htm

Listing of the Challenges Reported from July-September, 2006
Below, listed alphabetically by work, are the cases that were reported from July 1 to September 30, 2006, with as much information as we currently have on the challenge.

All the King's Men, Robert Penn Warren (11th grade dual credit course, TX), profanity.  Sent information.

Attack of the Mutant Underwear, Tom Birdseye (4th grade Sunshine State Young Reader's Award List, FL), unsuitable for young readers.  Wrote district language arts coordinator with offer of help with challenge and support for the novel.  RETAINED ON STATE READING LIST, BUT REMOVED FROM SCHOOL'S BATTLE OF THE BOOKS LIST.

The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman, Ernest Gaines (8th grade language arts, NC), word "goddamn".  Sent rationale and information.  REVIEW COMMITTEE VOTED TO RETAIN BOOK.

Brave New World, Aldous Huxley (12th grade honors British literature summer readling list, GA), drug use and homosexuality.  Sent information and rationale. ALTERNATE BOOK PROVIDED TO STUDENT.

The Bronze Bow, Elizabeth George Speare (middle school, CA), anti-Semitism and Christian proselytizing.  Sent information. THE CURRICULUM COUNCIL VOTED TO KEEP THE BOOK ON A LIST OF AVAILABLE TEACHING RESOURCES. IT APPEARS THAT THE PARENTS WILL TAKE THEIR CHALLENGE TO THE BOARD NEXT.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime, Mark Haddon (9th grade summer reading, IN), f-word.  Sent information and rationale. As of now, the book remains.

Elmer Gantry, Sinclair Lewis (11th grade dual credit course, TX), profanity.  Sent information.

Forged by Fire and all books by Sharon Draper (6-8th grade bookshelf, IN), content matter.  Sent information and rationales.

Handmaid's Tale, Margaret Atwood (11th grade AP Language & Composition reading list, TX), objector didn't stipulate.  Sent information and rationale.  CENSORED AS A CHOICE FOR SUMMER READING.

Huck Finn, Mark Twain, (MI), seeking information for student teacher's Banned Book Week Mock Trial on Huck Finn.  Sent information and rationale.

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Maya Angelou, (9-10th grade English, CA), rape scene.  Sent information and rationale. MEETING WITH PARENTS RESULTED IN MIXED BAG OF RESPONSES.  ONE (OR MORE) IS SATISFIED WITH ALTERNATIVE BOOK ASSIGNMENT.  ANOTHER WAS JUST ELECTED TO SCHOOL BOARD PARTLY ON A PLATFORM AGAINST HAVING THE NOVEL IN THE CURRICULUM.

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Maya Angelou (9th grade reading list, PA), "parental concerns".  Sent information and rationale.

The Learning Tree, Gordon Parks (9th grade summer reading list, AL), inappropriate language.  Wrote district language arts coordinator with offer of help with challenge and support for the novel.

Lily's Ghost, Laura Ruby (4th grade, Sunshine State Young Reader's Award List, FL) unsuitable for young readers.  Wrote district language arts coordinator with offer of help with challenge and support for the novel.  RETAINED ON STATE READING LIST.  REMOVED FROM LOCAL DISTRICT'S FOURTH GRADE BATTLE OF THE BOOKS LIST AND FROM ANOTHER SCHOOL'S READING LIST.

Macbeth & Excalibur videos, (12th grade, TN), nudity.  Sent information and rationale.

My Brother's Hero, Adrian Fogelin (4th grade, Sunshine State Young Reader's Award List, FL) unsuitable for young readers.  Wrote district language arts coordinator with offer of help with challenge and support for the novel.  RETAINED ON STATE READING LIST.  REMOVED FROM LOCAL DISTRICT'S FOURTH GRADE BATTLE OF THE BOOKS LIST.

Speak, Laurie Anderson (9th grade English, TX).  Sent information and rationale.

The Things They Carried, Tim O'Brien (9-11th grade pre-AP college prep, AR), language and references to virginity in Chapter 1.  Sent information.

The Things They Carried, Tim O'Brien (11th grade AP Language & Composition reading list, TX), objector didn't stipulate.  Sent information.

Various films, (10th and 11th grades, NY), sexual content, foul language, gratuitous violence, the "promotion" of homosexuality.  Sent information and letter of support.

Challenge Carried Over from Other Quarter with Action or Result in This Quarter

The Bluest Eye,Toni Morrison (9th grade honors independent reading list, CO), sexual content, disturbing psychological situations.  Rationale, resources, and letter of support sent. REVIEW COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED TO RETAIN-LIMITED TO GRADES 11& 12 ONLY. SCHOOL BOARD REJECTED RECOMMENDATION AND PULLED BOOK FROM ALL LIBRARY SHELVES AND CLASSROOMS.  BOOK REINSTATED TO SCHOOL LIBRARY SHELVES AND TO JUNIOR/SENIOR ELECTIVES IN THREE HIGH SCHOOLS.