I found this article related to a recent controversy about Speak with a professor suggesting it is “soft pornography.” I thought it was especially fitting since some of our class is currently assigned to it. First, here’s the article:
What do we do with an argument like this? Are there any grounds for what the Missouri State Professor is saying? How does this make you feel? How do we handle sexual content?
Danielle Maxwell
Watch how the news filters through the blogosphere.
ReplyDeletehttp://readroger.hbook.com/2010/09/porn-really.html
- Jason McCoy
In some ways I agree with Missouri State Professor Wesley Scroggins position that parents should get involved in the material that their children are reading, however, the characterization of these novels is very one-sided. The YA novels that we have currently read reflect issues that appear in young adults' lives. This is important to allow students to read novels that are socially relevant. There was a case in my high school where a freshman girl was attacked on her way home from school and was raped. Laurie Halse Anderson summed it up wonderfully in the article saying that seeing rape as sexually exciting is horrific.
ReplyDeleteI have read Wintergirls, also written by Laurie Halse Anderson and have found that her novel was relatable and relevant. I had a hard time reading the novel since it was written in such a way that brought you into the novel.
To respond to Danielle's question about how do we handle sexual content, I would have to say there should be lots of discussion. Often times there isn't any discussion when it comes to sensitive subjects. People often times just say no. If I were a teacher in a high school literature class and I was picking out novels to assign, I would definitely make sure that I have read all of the titles or at least know enough of each of the titles to allow my students to make informed decision of whether or not to read a very "graphic" and sensitive novel. For awhile after Wintergirls I was really depressed, so it makes me think that students may need help to read these novels, but it is not right to mislabel them and their purpose.
Rachel Ball
I think the speaks directly to the first amendment. It is important that we allow books like this with a powerful message told through powerful imagery to be allowed on our book shelves and in our classrooms. From what I have heard people say about this book it doesn't contain senseless vulgarity but instead a powerful message that is a little hard to deal with.
ReplyDeleteDanny