Wesley Scroggins published an opinion piece today about Laurie Halse Anderson's Speak. This is what he had to say about it.
In high school English classes, children are required to read and view material that should be classified as soft pornography.
One such book is called "Speak." They also watch the movie. This is a book about a very dysfunctional family. Schoolteachers are losers, adults are losers and the cheerleading squad scores more than the football team. They have sex on Saturday night and then are goddesses at church on Sunday morning. The cheer squad also gets their group-rate abortions at prom time. As the main character in the book is alone with a boy who is touching her female parts, she makes the statement that this is what high school is supposed to feel like. The boy then rapes her on the next page. Actually, the book and movie both contain two rape scenes.[full article]
I attend college. During orientation, we went to a session that talked about the possibility of rape. They counted us off in fours, and asked all the number ones to stand up.
Those who stood up represented those who would be raped or have an attempt to rape made on them.
I have read Speak. Yes, there are two rape scenes. There is nothing in them that is erotic or that would qualify as soft pornography. They are scenes necessary for the novel, to connect to the character and - maybe, hopefully - inspire those who have been through similar situations to stand up, SPEAK up.
It's hard to put my anger to words at hearing this - it's boiling under the surface of my skin, twisting my heart, lashing to get out, to yell at the man who put this up. Is he blind to the rest of the world? Does he live in a happy bubble where nothing goes wrong?
And to say that is must be censored? Nothing, no book, should ever be censored. First of all, takes it from a teenager - we're only going to want to read it more. And secondly, these books help people. Even if you don't like them, or think they're ridiculous, or hurtful - let them be. You don't have to read them. What if somebody you know was raped, and was afraid to SPEAK up, and this would have been the book to help them? Your sister, your best friend, your daughter, even your girlfriend. It can happen.
And if you ban the books that help them, where will they be when they're frightened and need inspiration?
They'll be hiding it.
My heart is sore, twisted, and it literally hurts to breathe because of how upset I am at this. Please, Mr. Scroggins, Springfield, don't harm your children, your friends, your neighbors. It's not worth it. All it does it harm everybody, and make my heart hurt.
Please, don't make my heart hurt.
[EDIT]
And posts like this, from The Last Word, make me even more furious. Or this one. Please, don't ban this book. It's not a matter of religion. It's a matter of heart.
And if my anger isn't enough, try these places:
Laurie Halse Anderson - This guy thinks SPEAK is pornography.
Shannon Hale - Speak Loudly
Late Bloomer Online - We Are Fighting Back
Bloggers [heart] Books - Speak Loudly
Bloggers [heart] Books - Rant: Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson and the Idiot Who Called It Porn
Harmony's Radiant Reads - SPEAK Loudly - it's time to listen.
Sarah's Random Musings - Words Can't Express This
Consumed By Books - Why I Speak Loudly And You Should Too
The Story - Listen Hard
YA Librarian Tales - Speak Loudly
Novel Thoughts - Learning To Speak Loudly
bookmarked - Today, I Am Speaking Up
Princess Reviews - Speak Loudly for Speak
Writer's Chasm - Speak Loudly
Nyxen's Adventure Through Life - Nyxen on Speaking Up, Speaking Out, Speaking Loudly
Veronica Roth - A (Christian) Take On Banning Speak
There's a whole bunch more listed at The Reclusive Bibliophile - I'm adding to this list as I find them.
No happy reading on this post, guys. That article was not a happy read.