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Read ‘Em and Weep Learn
September 25, 2011
Banned Books Week (BBW) began on Saturday, September 24 and will run through the following Saturday, October 1. This is its 29th year. The event began in 1982 in response to a sudden surge in the number of challenges to books in schools, libraries, and bookstores. Unfortunately even now, the pace is still swift; more than 11,000 books have been challenged in those twenty-nine years.
Challenging a book is the first step in getting it banned but it does not guarantee a ban. It is during the challenge that protests can be and often are mounted, many of them successful. But the continual need for watchfulness is a reminder that there are people, individually and organizationally, who believe they have the right to censor what books are available to those other than their families.
With government taking more intrusive steps into our its citizens’ lives (Patriot Act, the Department of Homeland Security, etc.) and with various groups of people, for religious or other reasons, attempting to impose (and sometimes succeeding) their reading values on others, how far is it to imagine that books may find themselves subject to some kind of oversight committee?
For me, it doesn’t seem that far but then I’ve had a lingering suspicion of governmental interference in private lives ever since I was part of a commune in my early twenties that due to several members’ political activities, was spied upon. Hell, the FBI didn’t even much bother to hide themselves when they sat in a car across the street with cameras and microphones. And of course the phone would occasionally make distinctly odd noises when in use.
It didn’t change anyone’s activities or viewpoints (except perhaps to confirm the rightness of what we were doing), but what it did was leave behind an impression that a government founded on among other things the freedom of expression was in fact very much opposed to expression that opposed its views.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
The full text of Amendment I (above) is clear that the strength of this country lies in the willingness of the government to accept that its citizens will not always agree with it and that those citizens have the right to express that disagreement without fear. But I dread to think it might be coming to an end, slowly, quietly, almost reasonably covered as it seems in the colors of red, white and blue, and with any opposition drowned out by the playing of the Star Spangled Banner. I am beginning to see this country’s destination in words from an old bumper sticker, “Love it or Leave it.”
But BBW is not about government per se. It’s about those who would seek to limit our reading choices be their individuals, private groups, or those people in government seeking to use their legislative powers to impose their private views upon other citizens. It’s about taking away some people’s choices and replacing them with other people’s choices. That makes me damn mad.
I am this week finishing up a great book (more about it next week) that is a collection of stories about small town newspapers. Some of the stories are humorous, but others are full of people who made and make courageous decisions about their news that can impact not only their town but their neighbors, their families, and even their livelihoods. I am full of admiration for them, especially in a time when the pressure to conform to the popular opinion is as strong as I have ever seen it.
Fortunately, there are many who stand in opposition, who feel that despite books that make them personally uneasy they must nevertheless be allowed to be printed, sold, and read. One very recent case involves the school board in Richland, Washington, which (thankfully) reversed itself, lifting a ban on Sherman Alexie’s The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. This book has been one of the most challenged in the country for what seem like good reasons: domestic violence, drug abuse, racism, poverty, sexuality. It’s certainly understandable that many parents do not want their children exposed to books that use these as themes, yet this book has won acclaim including the National Book Award.
What made the board change its mind after initially barring the book in all grades (it had been taught in one ninth-grade English class)? Two of the five board members read the book and changed their minds and votes.
I don’t know if anything like that happened when I was in grammar school. If it did, if some books were banned or removed from the library and classrooms, I never knew about it. Of course, books back then, in the 1950s and 1960s, did not deal with such themes. Not children’s and young adult books anyway. Still, some books that were around then, classics that are still challenged today, were probably removed from reading lists. The difference is that no one spoke up.
I am glad that BBW exists. I know there are a lot of books out there I personally would not allow in my house. If I were a parent I would certainly control what my child read when but I would also, I hope, not ban anything permanently. When I was writing for the local paper, one man took umbrage at one of my BBW columns. He accused me of wanting to put Penthouse in second-grade classrooms. Now I realize that was an exaggeration coming out of anger, but it reminded me of how often hyperbole is used by some people when trying to defend a position. Of course he knew I wouldn’t suggest such a thing. But I suspect—because my editor refused to let me engage him in dialogue in the letters section or in my weekly column—that he wanted to use my stance on censorship to defend the removal of good books from school libraries.
I’m rather sorry I didn’t have that opportunity. But there is probably nothing he could have said that would have changed my mind. Not because I wouldn’t listen but because I am adamant that while people can and must make reading choices for their own families not a single person, entity, organization, or government must be allowed to make them for me. I believe people often think that freedom, like justice, is pretty. I think both are fairly ugly myself. Things must be defended in the name of freedom or justice that feel so wrong, that even are wrong, but that spell out the costs of having them in our lives and in our country. Banned Book Week is the annual reminder of that. A time to remember that we can still read what we want. But will we always?
Upcoming Book Festivals and Fairs:
Lots this week. Check for ones near you.
Location: Bangor, Maine
Site: Various locations in downtown Bangor including the Bangor Opera House
Festival: Bangor Book Festival
Date: September 30 - October 1
This festival, now in its fifth year, will feature, as they say, “35 authors + 25 events + 5 locations.” It begins Friday with a workshop for self-publishing, then offers the keynote address by Colin Woodard that evening. However, Saturday is the big day with various discussions throughout the day, multiple Poetry Central events, author readings for adults, teens and children, writers’ workshops, the Great Bangor Draw-Off, a workshop on bookmaking, and more.
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico
Site: El Museo Cultural
Festival: Santa Fe Antiquarian Book Show
Date: September 30 - October 1
Nearly two dozen vendors will be with books and other literary-related items including ephemera. On Friday, it runs from 4:00-9:00 pm, and on Saturday from 9:00 am to 5:00pm. There will also be a place to buy food and drink, and door prizes will be awarded. In addition, five authors will be making appearances to sign books and chat with attendees. The website does not indicate any fee for admission, but you may want to call or e-mail to be sure.
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
Site: Various locations throughout the state
Festival: Utah Humanities Book Festival
Date: September 30 - October 21
This is a rather unusual festival in that it takes place all over Utah. Specific locations range from Tremonton and Logan in the north to St. George in the southern part of the state. If you go to their main page (linked above), you can click on the city or cities nearest to you and see what they have.
Location: Scranton, Pennsylvania
Site: Various locations around Scranton
Festival: Pages & Places Book Festival
Date: September 30 - October 1
A “Prologue Party” from 5:00-7:00 pm opens this particular festival on Friday night where attendees can meet the panelists and moderators. Drinks and light fare will be included, and the number of attendees is limited; the cost is $100. At 7:00 pm, science fans will be treated to a free lecture by Michio Kaku, the theoretical physicist, author, and television host. Admission is free with a library card. From 10:00 am to 3:00 pm on Saturday in Courthouse Square, the entire day is devoted to the Family Street Fair, this year featuring a Civil War era theme. There will be activities and events for children, a Main Stage with music, dance, and authors, and a Poetry Contest Award Ceremony. Other events include writers’ workshops, discussions, and lectures.
Location: Collingswood, New Jersey
Site: Collingswood Library and other locations
Festival: Collingswood Book Festival
Date: September 24 - October 1
A full week of activities that includes a run, book discussions, an interactive afternoon geared especially for senior book lovers will culminate on Saturday, October 1 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm with author appearances, book signings, a bookish food exhibit, free book appraisals, panel discussions, a Tweens and Teens/Philly Liars Club/KidLit Authors Club tent, children’s authors and entertainers as well as a Play & Store area, poetry events, and a Special Events tent, and more.
Location: Hollywood, California
Site: West Hollywood Library and West Hollywood Park
Festival: West Hollywood Book Fair
Date: October 1
This is one of the bigger festivals with more than 300 authors and artists and twelve stages (seven for author panels and five for various types of performances). There will also be a Writing Room for writing workshops, 125 exhibitors (booksellers of general books, children’s literature, rare & collectible books, comic books), literary organizations, art organizations, theatres, literary journals, food vendors, and more. It’s a full day (10:00 am to 5:00 pm)—and it’s all free.
Location: Charlotte, North Carolina
Site: Several venues around Charlotte
Festival: A Tribute to Novella
Date: October 1-2, and 9
The original festival has been hit hard by budget cuts, but one university professor has led the charge to create this tribute, which will take place over two weekends: October 1 and 2 will feature adult authors and Oct. 9 will feature young adult and children's authors. Events include the History Writers Panel on Friday evening, and an Inventory Sampling Sale (a precursor to the used book sale coming up) on Saturday along with seven other panels for a wide variety of genres. On October 9, there will be opening entertainment with storybook characters followed by junior, young adult, and children’s author panels. There will also be crafts, activities and appearances by book characters throughout the day.
Location: Allentown, Pennsylvania
Site: Agricultural Hall, Allentown Fairgrounds
Festival: Great Eastern US Fall Antique Book, Paper & Advertising Show
Date: October 1-2
One hundred and seventy rare and collectible book dealers who also offer literary ephemera and related items will be here for two days (Saturday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, and Sunday from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm).
Location: Costa Mesa, California
Site: Orange Coast College
Festival: Orange County Children’s Book Festival
Date: October 2
Devoted to children and books, this free festival, which runs from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm, will be bringing in more than 100 authors, famous children’s book illustrators, many and varied entertainments, a stage for teens and adults (as well), a Storyteller Stage, a Learn to Draw Illustrator Stage, and an Animal Stage. Exhibitors include children’s book stores, educational supply stores, newspapers and magazines, literacy organizations, and school programs. This really is one of the best children’s book fairs anywhere.
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Site: Cleveland Skating Club
Festival: Cleveland Antiquarian Book Fair
Date: October 2
More than twenty-five dealers showing and selling books, paper ephemera, autographs, prints, and maps will be available from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. In addition, attendees can take advantage of a free appraisal service, where a number of specialist dealers will examine and value single books brought by members of the public. Brunch, as well as a cash bar, will be available in the club’s President’s Suite. Admission is $5, the student rate is $3, and NOBS members are admitted free.
The Pub House:
Holy Cow! Press is one of a number of regional presses that focus on a particular location. In this case, it’s the upper Midwest. Established in 1977 and housed in Duluth, Minnesota, their “primary goal has been to publish the very best collections of Midwest writings we can find and develop an audience for those books regionally and nationally.” Their list tends to be wide and includes poetry, short fiction, memoirs, novels, plays, children’s and young adult titles, biographies and anthologies centered around important themes. Among their newest titles are Shelter Half, a novel whose story begins with the discovery of a young woman’s body in a northern Minnesota town, which brings together a local copy, doctor, and a young couple in love along with outside organizations and a retired U.S> Brigadier General. My Heart is a Mountain is a collection of eleven short stories and one memoir that use a common theme of human yearning and how it shaped by land and place. Finally, 60 Feet, 6 Inches and Other Distances from Home: The (Baseball) Life of Mose YellowHorse, a heartbreaking yet triumphal biography of a full-blooded American Indian who reached baseball’s big leagues in 1921-22, a time when non-whites were almost entirely excluded, pitching for the Pittsburgh Pirates and winning eight games.
Imaging Books & Reading:
Reading: not juz fur innterlectualls. Really.
Of Interest:
Mark Twain had wide interests, which helped when during the summer of 1883 (when he was also working on Huckleberry Finn) he was teaching his daughters the names of English monarchs and the dates they ruled. “These little people found it a bitter, hard contract,” he wrote. “It was all dates, they all looked alike, and they wouldn’t stick.” His solution was to measure out 817 feet—with each foot representing a year—and then put stakes in the ground where Kings and Queens started their reigns. “When you think of Henry III. do you see a great long stretch of straight road? I do; and just at the end where it joins on to Edward I. always I see a small pear-bush with its green fruit hanging down,” he once wrote.
His game was effective. What had been taking his daughters all summer to learn took them, with the game, two days. So he patented Memory-Builder: A Game for Acquiring and Retaining All Sorts of Facts and Dates—a game board similarly divided by year. The game card and the rules can be seen here. He had hoped to create a marketable product that would sweep the country. Alas, it was not a success. Interestingly, another board game came out around the same time. It was called “The Amusing Game of Innocence Abroad,” and marketed by George Parker of Parker Brothers, being based on Twain’s 1869 book. This one did sell well enough to be reprinted twenty-five years later under a slightly different title, “Good Old Game of Innocence Abroad. Unfortunately for Twain, he profited not a single penny off it.
Until next week, read well, read often and read on!
Lauren
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