- What are your reactions to this decision and the subsequent reaction by students, faculty, and the media?
Also, just like any situation, media and extreme opinions seem to blow it out of proportion. The question of democracy near the middle of the article shows the media's attraction to the story. I also wondered who might have wanted the book out of schools. The way extreme opinions effect the students and public worried me most.
It reminded me of the kind of decisions I'd have to make in my own classroom, or just in life, to set an example of how to react to that sort of violence or harsh experiences.
The young students responses to Satrapi exemplify how much students know and how faculty and media should not underestimate their capacity to understand.
- Why do you think this book has been targeted? Why now?
I believe the book has been targeted partly because it is on material that is (even loosely) connected with 9/11 and the always feared "threat" to democracy. I also believe that graphic novels get a bad rap in the educational world as non-valid sources of education. These novels are becoming really popular and students will see them more often, but they have't been as accepted by educators.
- What are your thoughts about book censorship? Is it ever appropriate? What is lost/gained with such decisions?
I believe at a certain point book censorship is appropriate. I only believe this because in a public place, like a school, everyone will say their opinion about books, etc. that is appropriate for the public. Although the public gains some type of peace (or at least someones opinion was satisfied), the public also misses out on a learning experience.
- For the future educators in the class, who should ultimately make decisions about curriculum? The teacher? The principal? Does it matter that this is for 7th-graders? Should there be a procedure put in place? In other words, it could be argued that the "questionable content" is not entirely "questionable", but this decision might be best explored through dialogue. How would that work? Would that work?
I think the fact that it regards 7th graders is the real conflict I have with this "ban". I feel as though the amount of experiences a student has lived through in this day and age is different from the curriculum they are learning. Denying them a book that might relate to them while teaching a new method (such as reading a graphic novel, or dealing with these life experiences, etc.) denies to them a more meaningful/valuable education. It takes a higher level of cognitive learning (such as creativity, analysis, evaluation) out of their education and only leaves basic memorization and comprehension. (which is a real problem with education today)
As for who should decide curriculum, I believe the students deserve more input. Of course they will want something "cool" or new like a graphic novel, but if that method works for them as well as teaches them a NEW valid method of learning then it deserves to be in the curriculum. Questionable dialogue comes up in most schools by students (on accident or on purpose) anyway. I feel the best idea is to have dialogue on how to handle it. How can education make that questionable content a teachable moment? Ignoring the content only enables the student to speak without thinking in the future.
Going through the process of becoming a teacher has taught me to think with both my student brain and my teacher brain. This is a subject they both agree on.
