Controversial Books

Consider the number of available books to choose from, consider the amount of money available to buy with. Is there a need to be deliberately offensive to a group...any group? Is it not necessary to know our population, those who would be using our books and in the process of that, to spend the money wisely on books that are well-written, broaden perspectives and will be chosen to be read? There are so many choices, I just don't see a need to choose something that is likely to be too hard on any community. For example, a man on the radio this morning was discussing the issues of bi-lingualism. I didn't agree with his points and don't want to review all of that here, but he did say one interesting thing. He talked about the number of Spanish-Americans in Vermont, saying there were 7 in the whole state. Then he questioned the need for bi-lingual signs and announcements. There wasn't there, and he found it insulting. So, moving back to students, there are many places and ways to get books. If one is needed that another one just can't stand, then they can request it. If a child chooses a book to read that I think his parent might find offensive, I give them a call and ask them to read and talk to their child about it so they are not taken by surprise. Parents want their opinions to be considered and I find this step helps them all. One parent told her student one year that she could not dress up as the person she was reading about because he was personally offensive to them as a family. So, she didn't. It's OK to have opinions and to be able to express them. I can handle it. "If we all agree on something, one of us isn't necessary." a quote from my mom.