“Bird” Still Caged

‘Caged Bird’ will remain in classroom

Maya Angelou’s “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” won’t be locked out of the English curriculum at Fond du Lac High School.

This is a good thing. I am seriously opposed to book banning, especially when common sensecould do a much better job. If a parent is opposed to their child reading certain material, without a doubt, that kid will end up reading the book some day, just because his or her parent opposed it in the first place. I know I did! Parents have a right to say what they’re kids are taught, and if a parent opposes this book, then the parent is the final authority.

What I found amazing was the response from around the country, and even Canada. Just take a look at today’s letters to the editor in the Fond du Lac Reporter.

“Nice people and a great family community, but the world has literally passed them by.”

Perhaps this guy should enlighten us.

“We in Ohio have had books removed due to vulgar content (i.e. foul language, violence, and explicit sex). Don’t let unscrupulous teachers and staff get away with it!”

“The real problem is that so many high school curricula these days focus entirely on selections that will never have any merit.”

I would agree that education is lacking a lot these days….like REAL history.

“Maya Angelou is a Bill Clinton creation. … She is not relevant in Middle America. She is a Democrat partisan poet.”

So, it’s Bill Clinton’s fault?

“When will the people of the United States wake up and see what these Bible-thumping neo cons are up to. They not only want to control your government, they wish to control yourminds, your thoughts and your lives.”

No, wait…it’s Bush’s fault!

“What is wrong with you folks in Wisconsin? Have your brains been frozen? This is a book that everyone should read. I guess “burning” books has returned.”

Hey, the state re-elected Diamond Jim…of course our brains are frozen! HUMPH!

“School officials need to learn that parents are the ultimate voice for what is or is not taught in their schools. If a book can be substituted for the Angelou book (as it was in this case), then the Angelou book could be discarded altogether. This is not rocket science.”

Aaaah….a voice of sanity! From Arkansas, no less!

“There is a reason we have a separation of church and state, so truth is not suppressed by religion and vice versa.”

…..And then it’s gone! It’s the church’s fault?

Ok, you get the picture! I’m getting dizzy!