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Originally Posted by Ustwo
Read 'Native Son' and then imagine your typical teacher trying to discuss it with a class.
Black boy's abusive father leaves home, grows up poor, becomes a thief, gets a job as a driver for a rich white family, sexually assaults drunk daughter and accidentally strangles her so her parents don't find him fondling her, murders his girlfriend, and is then defended in court by the American communist party.
Its been a long time since I read the book but it might be a bit out of order.
What age should this book be read?
What type of teacher could lead a discussion?
Could you see where parents might be concerned?
Most of the time I think removing a book from the curriculum is pointless, but I think its perhaps the most minor issue we have to deal with in our education system.
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I have and I will (imagine that is).
Here's what I think though. I think you're making a sweeping generalization, grouping every child of every upbringing together to label them unfit. And that is exactly what banning materials does; it assumes that every person is unprepared to deal with the complexities of a certain piece of work. Which is only furthering their underdeveloped opinions. Human beings, not just adults, have the right of free will, within the bounds of safety when it comes to children. There is nothing unsafe about Native Son. It is provocative, but that is the point. It provokes you to think. You are completely underestimating all young adults and children. For no reason?!
I directed a play in high school called "Bang, Bang, You're Dead" about a school shooting. Parents had shit fits and they didn't read it, or think about it. "School shootings should not be endorsed in schools!". Too bad the play is about the human condition, emotion, and loss. And the kid realizes why he was wrong! Wow, the opposite of what they assumed.
There are messages within Native Son that you are dismissing because of the subject matter. Unfair.
EDIT: Also, by dismissing art because of their subject matter you are creating a child who carries on your beliefs. You sound pretty homophobic. Keep it to yourself.