Anti-Christian Charges Prompt Review of Part-Time Indian
PrintThe Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian was yanked from the library shelves and required reading list of the Dade County (Ga.) High School because of complaints from parents about what they deemed vulgarity, racism, and anti-Christian content.
Students had been required to read Sherman Alexie’s young adult novel about a teen growing up on an Indian reservation, but the numerous complaints prompted Superintendent Shawn Tobin to remove the book until it could be reviewed by a media center committee, the Chattanooga (Tenn.) Times Free Press reported November 13.
“Some people thought it was the greatest book ever, and some people thought it was the most perverted book ever,” noted Tobin. He said most of the complaints centered on profanity, as well as a depiction of Jesus Christ breaking wind.
“It was just disgusting,” Trenton resident Mechele Berry said in the November 9 Dade County Sentinel about the book’s content. “You know, perversion.” Berry told the Sentinel she immediately called high-school principal Josh Ingle to voice her concern, but “apparently I wasn’t the only parent, because by the time that I had gotten to Mr. Ingle, they had already pulled it.”
The National Book Award–winning novel ranked second on the American Library Association’s list of the 10 most frequently challenged books of 2010.
When the book was banned in Stockton, Missouri, in 2010, Pat Scales, chair of ALA’s Intellectual Freedom Committee, told the Cedar County (Mo.) Republican the book was “fabulous” because it offers a window into the tough life on the reservation.
“Yes, it’s raw in places, but it’s raw because the life was. We have our heads in the sand if we don’t realize there are people who have to live this way,” Scales said. “Every book we read is not going to reflect our own value systems.”
In a November 20 editorial, the Rome (Ga.) News-Tribune observed that, “largely cut off from the rest of Georgia by Lookout Mountain, Dade has always been something of a land apart, which can be both one of its charms … and handicaps.”
“Yet on this side of Lookout Mountain,” the editorial continued, “some might recall, about three years ago the very same Alexie book was the community selection for the One Book Many Voices reading initiative in Greater Rome. Youngsters were encouraged to read it, write essays about it, discuss it; the award-winning author visited and signed copies plus spoke at Pepperell High. That’s both evidence of progress, especially in somewhat cosmopolitan Rome, and the continuing need for more progress in some insular locations cut off from reality.”
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Comments
I can definitely understand
I can definitely understand why some people want this book to be banned, but I don’t think it deserves to be banned. Some parents are way too protective of their children and don’t want to admit to the fact that their high school children probably know what masturbation is. Children also need to grow up at some point and learn all of the sad, depressing truths of reality. Another great point in this book though is that it teaches life lessons to young readers, one example is the consumption of alcohol in the book. After reading this book and realizing the sad truth of what alcohol can do young readers will be more likely to think before performing actions that could hurt others.
The Absolutely True Diary of
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian was probably one of the best books I’ve read. This book should not be censored or banned. If that was the case then why not ban our history books? People tend to shelter themselves and ignore reality as much as they could. Before reading this book, I did not know about Indian reservations. Living in the east coast, I don’t really come across Native Americans. This book definitely opened my eyes to the harsh realities of Native Americans living in “Indian Reservations”. This book does not sugar coat anything and that is what scared people the most. A lot of us are afraid of reality. I have learned a lot of thing I would have never learned if it wasn’t for this book.
I think that this book should
I think that this book should not be banned. The reality is that if teens and young adults aren’t exposed to the content that is in this book then they will never know what actually happens in the real world. If they don’t learn about the problems that alcoholism can lead too then how will they know not to drink a lot and become an alcoholic. This book is a story but it teaches lessons at the same time.
Challenge to Part-Time Indian
All the challenges to this book only serve to bring even more attention to it. Hopefully, more and more teens and adults read it as a result. This one of the of the best books I read last year. Then it made its way through my extended family. Thank you Mr. Alexie for a powerful yet funny read.
N Harty
http://bookmenus.blogspot.com/2011/03/absolutely-true-diary-of-part-time…
Insulting to readers to pull
I know I could not handle reading cuss words and farts at age 16 between saying cuss words and passing gas. It is much more appropriate to leave that kind of reading material till one turns 18 and they are magically able to handle such themes.
Although I cannot find the selection policy for this particular library online, I would find it hard to believe it would not contain the policy to select materials for recreational/educational reading and presenting a broad range of viewpoints and characters. In addition, this book has numerous positive reviews and critical praise both in and out of the library world. It is written for the age group being discussed.
If all these reasons do not constitute reason to have it in a high school library I really do not know what does. But even if we were to say it somehow deserves to be pulled from shelves, what book would be recommended to replace it and show life on a reservation in such an engaging, honest manner? Pull books such as this is an insult to the very readers pulling such materials is meant to protect.
To make sure I cite some sources:
NYT Review: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/11/books/review/Barcott3-t.html
National Book Award: http://www.nationalbook.org/nba2007.html
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
What planet are these people living on that they don’t get the reality of circumstance others live—moment by moment—imposed mainly and merely by these very same preciously—and perhaps, clueless, ones? How dare a writer—a non-white male, at that— impose a different and challenging reality upon their collective psyche or that of their child? Jesus H. Christ, get a life; or better still, read, learn, and grow.
Look at the School's Materials Selection Policy and Pico Case
Simply look at the schools’ materials selection policy. If the book meets or exceeds the policy, the book stays. If it does not meet it, “get it out of there,” as long-time ALA leader Judith Krug has said. http://safelibraries.blogspot.com/2011/09/marking-25-years-of-banned-boo…
The question of reviewing the material selection policy is a valid one, but use should be made of the policy in place when the challenge was brought. Perhaps schools may wish to reconsider their own policies before a challenge occurs. The one in Republic, MO, that matches selection policy to the school’s behavioral policy may be of interest
Also relevant would be Board of Education v. Pico. If the book is pervasively vulgar and/or educational unsuitable, the book may be removed forthwith, likely no matter what the material selection policy says. http://laws.findlaw.com/us/457/853.html
Safelibraries
Safelibraries, hmm? Please keep my libraries safe from the likes of you, Dan.
Free libraries, where each individual decides for him or herself what to read, is what democracy demands. Let a parent decide for his/her own children, not for everyone else’s please. My teen children, my husband, and I have all read ATDOAPTI. Brilliant, thought-provoking, hysterical, and heart-breaking stuff. We’re all better people for the experience which, I believe, is the hallmark of great literature. It changes you. It opens your mind and your heart to another’s experience. Couldn’t care less about cuss words and fart jokes.
Judith Krug: "Get It Out of There"
Is there anything I said objectionable or incorrect in any way? Specify.
“Free libraries, where each individual decides for him or herself what to read, is what democracy demands.” Mostly correct, for public libraries. But this case is about a school library. In schools libraries, it is not “everyone decides for himself.” Even the ALA leader who created so-called “Banned Books Week” recognized there are times when a school can eject a book, as I already linked in my first comment. And I am 100% certain that “everyone decides for himself” does not mean Board of Education v. Pico has no effect because instead people get to decide for themselves.
So, instead of using invective about me, try to stick to the issues. The issue here is that a school is legally allowed to review a book for policy compliance, and even the ALA suggests book removal in the right circumstances. Certainly that school community in question is entitled to be aware of what I just said and to act thereunder. I made no statements otherwise, but your “anything goes” attitude goes against the weight of the law and the ALA statement that if a book violates policy, “get it out of there.”
And let me add that most people oppose explicit books in public schools: http://tinyurl.com/MostOpposeExplicitBooks Yes, you “[c]ouldn’t care less about cuss words and fart jokes,” but you do not get to make that decision for that school district, fortunately.
Your “anything goes” statement has the effect of misleading that school community to think the book may not be removed for any reason. So I provide information and reliable sources and you provide bullying. “Please keep my libraries safe from the likes of you, Dan” looks like psychological projection in light of what I just said. Don’t people like you ever get concerned about being so mean spirited so publicly? I have reason to believe you are related to the director of major university library system. That makes your comments even worse.
Reply to comment by Dan Kleinman in re "Get it out of there"
I am somewhat confused by your repeated use of the phrase “anything goes” in quotation marks. There was nothing in the post you are responding to that would imply the poster thinks “anything goes,” and certainly the poster never used that phrase. So what are you quoting? I certainly saw no bullying there, either.
I’m further confused about your comment about a relationship with the director of a major university library system. What would that have to do with anything? Are relatives of library directors not allowed to voice opinions?
For the record, it’s a fabulous book that thousands of teens and their parents have already enjoyed and benefited from. Hopefully the students at this particular school will be able to get a copy at their public library. Are school libraries different from the rest of US society in the matter of freedom to choose reading material? It does seem to me that some parents here are trying to decide for ALL parents at the school.
Wonderful Book
Thank you, Martha. This is one of my all-time favorite books and I look forward to reading it with my son when he’s older (16 mo. now). It’s offensive to me that books that show less-than-ideal-but-real living situations are withheld from children who will never experience such a life. How do we inspire compassion in our children without opening their eyes to the ugly truths of life? By all means, review it to make sure it meets the school’s curriculum policy (I would have hoped that would have been done when it was originally selected), but don’t fudge the policy if it doesn’t go your way.
I don’t exactly remember that part in the book, but as Christians we believe Jesus was 100% devine and 100% human. Anyone who is 100% human passes gas.
oops
Please read that “divine”
Mary B. Thank you for that
Mary B.
Thank you for that comment—an issue that also occurred to me. For a Christian to be offended by the comment that Christ “broke wind” is essentially blasphemy, since it denies His humanity.
What gets lost in the focus on tiny details is that Part-time Indian is a wonderful book—one that I would have loved to have read when I was in high school.
For a happier outcome, read how the Richland, WA school board reversed their decision to remove Alexie’s book after the board members ACTUALLY READ THE BOOK.
http://tinyurl.com/6447yc7
In the article, the Board president, a Mr. Rick Donahoe, admits he only read the book two days after the original board meeting and found it to be “outstanding”
“In the future, he will read every book he will vote on, Donahoe said.”
From the same article, a 10th grade teacher whose class included mostly “kids from tough backgrounds,” asked a Native American youth in her class to review the book before she gave it to the whole class.
“He read it five times,” Maldonado said. “It changed his life. It made him understand his heritage and his issues with his father.”
“The book taught the children in her class that they can get out of the tough situations they were in, she said.”
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What the above comments prove to me as that it is usually the books of greatest potential value to youth that are challenged.