“[I]t's not just the books under fire now that worry me. It is the books that will never be written. The books that will never be read. And all due to the fear of censorship. As always, young readers will be the real losers.” — Judy Blume
You can measure the greatness of an author of children’s fiction by how frequently her/his books are banned. Heaven forbid we challenge young readers! I just finished reading one of my favorite books from when I was, like, 13: Then Again, Maybe I Won’t. This book demystified wet dreams for me when no one would. Apparently, it’s openness about body changes during puberty is one of the reasons it is a frequently-banned book:
“Some parents fear their children reading about the things young adults think about--sex, mastrubation, periods, etc.”
Oh, the horror!!! It’s not the hormones that make them think about these things…It’s the Judy Blume books.
Infact, Judy Blume was the #2 most challenged author in the United States between 1990 and 2004. Yes, the author of such children’s classics as Super Fudge and Blubber is being banned where the freedom to have access to such books should be embraced. Blubber was one of my 5th Grade favorites. Not sure why it makes the list of The 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books; however, we loved it because the kids in the book use the work bitch. Five of Judy Blume’s books are on the list of The 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books: Forever (8), Blubber (32), Deenie (46), Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret (62), and Tiger Eyes (78).
What was Judy thinking when she wrote a book where teenagers have sex, and nothing bad happens to them?
Delaying washing the uncircumcised penis for at least 10 minutes after sex significantly lowers the risk of HIV infection.
“Finished!”
“I’ll set the time.”
10 minutes.
“Ready.
Set.
Go!”
On the verge of absurd...
[W]hat Pastor Martin Ssempa described as "a well-orchestrated effort by homosexuals to intimidate the government"
Define intimidation.
I must say that I find it ironic, that the group so hatefully and vehemently persecuting homosexuals in Uganda includes the term rainbow in its name. Do they know what the rainbow symbolizes to the gay community?
Maybe Pastor Ssempa should find Dorothy on the yellow-brick road, accompany her to the Emerald City and ask the wizard for a brain, a heart and some courage.
4 comments:
I also laughed when I read the name of the anti-gay org that had rainbow in the title!
I saw some pics of the protest so I am posting them on my blog today!
Every word this man Ssempa utters is absurd.
Ahh, a little counter intolerance? niiice. Martin Ssempa isn't perfect, but he's a good man who has a passion for the people of his country. I know it can be hard to do, seriously - no sarcasm intended, but if you dig through the stuff you don't like about what he says, there would probably be a lot that you are in agreement.
On a side note, as someone who loves Jesus, i get all intolerant of people who spew hate against anyone. forgive us for representing Him so poorly at times. it breaks my heart that people have been damaged by the pious, not loving, rhetoric that political/legasistic religion has produced. It's not the heart of Christ.
Ps. I know Martin,and Jesus, so I feel I can say this.
Post a Comment