South Mountain Community College
Journal # 14 - I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings - Book Banning Motivations
Bans or challenges faced by the book: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
Sited for sexually explicit content and is one of the most frequently challenged and banned books in America ranking as third on the list of the 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books of 1990-2000.
Since 1983 schools throughout the United States have tried to ban I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings even though it is celebrated for its elegant prose. Parents, schools, and related organizations have argued that the book encourages deviant behavior because of its references to lesbianism, premarital sex, cohabitation, pornography, and violence. The book's profanity has also caused its removal from school curriculum and library shelves. The Alabama State Textbook Committee accused it of encouraging "bitterness and hatred toward white people." Some schools have removed the book from their classes and libraries; however, many have decided to retain the book. Today the book is still among the most challenged books in American schools.
History of Banning
2008 - Challenged in the Manheim Township (PA) schools. The book was retained in the 9th grade English curriculum, but it will be taught later in the year after a public forum was held with parents to discuss the book and the entire literary canon of the English Department. Challenged in the Coeur d'Alene ID) School District. Some parents say the book, along with 5 others, should require parental permission for students to read them.
2007 - Retained in the Fond du Lac (WI) HS sophomore advanced English class. Parents had objected to teens reading Angelou's account of being brutally raped by her mother's boyfriend and an unwanted pregnancy later in life. Parents will receive notification and be allowed to decide whether or not they approve of its use by their children.
2006 - Removed as required reading from Annapolis (MD) freshman English curriculum because of rape scene and other mature content.
2005 - Challenged for racism, homosexuality, sexual content, offensive language and unsuited to age group.
2003 - Challenged as required reading in Hamilton (MT) freshman English class due to sexual exploration by teenagers, rape and homosexuality. Challenged in Fairfax (VA) school libraries by a group called Parents Against Bad Books in Schools for "profanity and descriptions of drug abuse, sexually explicit conduct and torture".
2002 - Banned for language and being too explicit in the book's portrayal of rape and other sexual abuse.
2001- Challenged for being on the Poolesville (MD) high school reading list for sexual content and language
Sited for sexually explicit content and is one of the most frequently challenged and banned books in America ranking as third on the list of the 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books of 1990-2000.
Since 1983 schools throughout the United States have tried to ban I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings even though it is celebrated for its elegant prose. Parents, schools, and related organizations have argued that the book encourages deviant behavior because of its references to lesbianism, premarital sex, cohabitation, pornography, and violence. The book's profanity has also caused its removal from school curriculum and library shelves. The Alabama State Textbook Committee accused it of encouraging "bitterness and hatred toward white people." Some schools have removed the book from their classes and libraries; however, many have decided to retain the book. Today the book is still among the most challenged books in American schools.
History of Banning
2008 - Challenged in the Manheim Township (PA) schools. The book was retained in the 9th grade English curriculum, but it will be taught later in the year after a public forum was held with parents to discuss the book and the entire literary canon of the English Department. Challenged in the Coeur d'Alene ID) School District. Some parents say the book, along with 5 others, should require parental permission for students to read them.
2007 - Retained in the Fond du Lac (WI) HS sophomore advanced English class. Parents had objected to teens reading Angelou's account of being brutally raped by her mother's boyfriend and an unwanted pregnancy later in life. Parents will receive notification and be allowed to decide whether or not they approve of its use by their children.
2006 - Removed as required reading from Annapolis (MD) freshman English curriculum because of rape scene and other mature content.
2005 - Challenged for racism, homosexuality, sexual content, offensive language and unsuited to age group.
2003 - Challenged as required reading in Hamilton (MT) freshman English class due to sexual exploration by teenagers, rape and homosexuality. Challenged in Fairfax (VA) school libraries by a group called Parents Against Bad Books in Schools for "profanity and descriptions of drug abuse, sexually explicit conduct and torture".
2002 - Banned for language and being too explicit in the book's portrayal of rape and other sexual abuse.
2001- Challenged for being on the Poolesville (MD) high school reading list for sexual content and language
Comment
About
© 2009 Created by Alisa Cooper on Ning. Create a Ning Network!
You need to be a member of Banned Books and Censorship to add comments!
Join this Ning Network