BLOG PARTY

The controversial debate on banning books from schools has many parents enraged. Some parents believe that books containing sex, religion, racism, homosexuality, and even profanity should be ban in schools in an effort to protect children. However, other parents feel that banning books is against the first amendment and feel they, and no one else, should be the one to say what their kids can and can not read.

My inquiry question is, should books marked as inappropriate be ban from schools? Every parent has a different opinion on how to raise children. Some parents are highly involved in their children’s education while others simply do not care. However, I think most parent would agree that there needs to be some limitations. Censorship is defined as, “the removal, suppression, or restricted circulation of literary, artistic or educational materials on the grounds that these are morally or otherwise objectionable in light of the standards applied by the censor” (Reichman 141). Based off a lot of different information I have come to the current conclusion, that, censorship can be right and wrong but, is needed to some extent.

It is important that parents let their voices be heard when they feel that material being taught to their children is inappropriate. The book The Catcher and The Rye, listed as one of the books most often banned in the U.S. ( Foerstel 212), is very controversial however, most would not argue that is to advanced for elementary children. Not all books need to be completely banned but should be restricted from certain age groups. Some of the top reasons books are ban from schools are sexual content, profanity, and racism. All of these are very good reasons for censoring in elementary. Younger children need to be sheltered from some issues that they may not understand yet. If a parent does not want their 5yr-old child to read this type of material most would concur that it is not appropriate.

More so, censorship should not be used to restrict children’s imaginations and opinions. One of the most controversial books at the moment is Harry Potter. Many Christian parent are raging that author J.K. Rowling is “trying to indoctrinate our children in witchcraft and satanism” (Cockrell 24). However, it is fact that the book is simply a fiction fantasy novel. Just as religion should not be forced on people, neither should the opinions of the religious. If a parent does want their son or daughter to read a book because of their individual views then they should prohibit their children from reading it, but not every kid should be restricted for another parent’s opinion. The Constitution was written to protect freedom of press, banning books because of a group of individuals personal opinions are unconstitutional.

Therefore, I feel balance is the key to banning books in school. The censors that ban book need to consider several different things before banning a book. A book that may be inappropriate for a 3rd grader may be perfectly decent for a 7th grader to read. Due to this restrictions are need but that doesn’t mean that a book should be ban completely just because it is inappropriate for one age group it should simply be restricted or read with parents approval. A classic such as Othello by Shakespeare is often read in schools, however, one person I spoke with thought that his 7th grade daughter was not mature enough for the material but said “it is a great play, but she is just a bit too young for it. When she had to ask me to interrupt lines from it I told her that maybe she should give it try in a few years” (Morgan). Some books should not be banned but concealed at a parents own discretion.

After stating the above, I would like to discuss the views of others on a few related issues. Does banning books prevent kids from exploring the world from others views? Can censoring be dangerous, over sheltering children and in turn have children enter adulthood less prepared and naïve? What harm can “inappropriate” material really due? Where should the line, between protecting and invading, be drawn?


Work Cited

Cockerell, Amanda. "Harry Potter and the Witch Hunters:A social context for the attacks on Harry Potter." THe Journal of American Culture 29.1 (2006): 24. Web. 23 Nov 2009.

Foerstel, Herbert. Banned in the U.S.A. Expanded . Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 2002. 212. Print.

Morgan, John. Interview by Samantha Garrison. 30 10 2009. Print.

Reichman, Henry. Censorship and Selection: Issues and Answers for School. 3rd. Chicago, IL: American Library Association, 2001. 2. Print.

Free-Style (Entry 22)

So I just started "On the Occasion of My Last Afternoon" by Kaye Gibbons. It is about the life of a girl named Emma. From the start of the book it is evident that her father is very racist, he kills one of his slave but tries saying he didn't mean to do it. So far it doesn't seem like anyone really believes him. You can tell that the cook, Clarice, also a slave, knows things about Emma's dad that no one else does. She takes it into her own hands to try and repair the damage he has done so the slaves do not revolt. Emma seems very close to Clarice and skeptical of her father, however, very naive. I am interested to see how the book works out.

Scene-Response (Enrty 21)

All three versions, the 1952, the 1981, and the 1995, offer a different view on how the scene, in which Iago puts doubt into Othello's mind, can be interrupted.

The 1952 version is black and white and Othello is portrayed by a white male. In the scene Othello is wearing knights armor suggestive of his lifestyle as a honest admired man, or literally a knight in shining armor. Iago portrayed by a small less appealing man in dark clothing, very fitting to his dark motives. The start of the conversation is depicted as being very casual as they stroll along a catwalk that overlooks the sea. The sound of the waves and wind in the background give it a mellow feel. However, as the conversation becomes more intense they move inside to a dark eerie room that adds tension to the scene.

In the 1981 version Othello is yet again portrayed as a white man. Othello is played by a tall, handsome man dressed in white, whereas, Iago is played by a short, chunky man in black clothing. Not only their physical appearance but also the attire plays into how the are to be perceived but the audience, white and pure, black and corrupt. As the conversation goes on the space between that actors varies greatly. When the conversation is light the is a greater amount of space but as their voices raise and their tone deepens space gets closer and closer.

In the 1995 version the part of Othello, as intended by Shakespeare, is played by a black man. Again, the actors are dressed with Othello in lighter colored clothing then Iago. The start of the scene is very casual with several people around but then as conversation begins the two move inside to a dark room alone. As the conversation escalates music begins playing to the background and the voice of the men get louder and louder. However, what I noticed the most about this scene in comparison to the others is that Othello is very physical in his discussion with Iago and even points a gun at him. To me this portrays Othello as a violent pushy man which is not what I feel.

Quote-Response(Entry 20)

"Othello: Villain, be sure thou prove my love a whore!Be sure of it. Give ocular proof, or by the of mine eternal soul, thou hast been better have been born a dog than answer my waked wrath!

Iago: Is't come to this?

Othello: Make me see't, or at the least so prove it that the probation bear no hinge nor loop to hang a doubt on, or woe upon thy life!

Iago: My noble lord-

Othello: If thou dast slander her and torture me, never pray more; abandon all remorse; on horror's head horrors accumulate, do deeds to make heaven weep, all earth amazed for nothing canst thou to damnation add greater than that."
(Shakespeare 993)


In this section of the play Iago has already put doubt into Othello's mind about the fidelity of his wife. This scene shows how much Othello loves Desdemona and how much he doesn't want to believe that she would be unfaithful. Othello, his passion evident, orders Iago to prove his accusations or he will pay with his life for slandering Desdemona's name and for making him doubt her alliance to him. A few words that really caught my attention were, "on horror's head horror accumulate". This describes how horrific the punishment will be if Iago fails to prove proof, however, the way it is stated allows the mind to wonder about different venues of terror that Iago may receive. Othello reminds me of my husband in this scene. My husband doesn't like gossip so when people come over and start talking about things they are unsure of, he says "if you can't prove it don't open your mouth about it." Overall, I really liked this scene because it shows that Othello was truly in love and didn't want to believe that Desdemona was unfaithful.

Free-style (Entry 19)

When it rains it pour.....

So I have heard this statement several times but the last to weeks gave it true meaning. Here it a list of events on top of school and work that have occupied me lately.

Oct 31- My 1yr old niece falls into fireplace and gets third degree burns on right hand and arm and is then air flighted out of town(in az) to burn unit.
Nov 3- My pregnant sister( the one that has the baby in the burn unit)starts to bleed and the doctors cant stop it and don't even know what is causing it.
Nov 6-My sister has my new niece at only 32wk along, she is on 2nd floor and my 1yr old niece is in burn unit on 7th floor.
Nov 8- My 9yr old niece's b-day, calls me crying because her mom and sister are in the hospital an missed her b-day.
Nov 9- My son was running, fell, and hit his eye on the coffee table and cracks his check bone.
Nov 11-My sons 2nd b-day
Nov 13- In-laws come into town for the weekend
Nov 14-My sons b-day party
Nov 17-My son jumps off couch falls hit the coffee table again and has to get 3 staples in the back of the head. Well in the ER with him my mom calls and tell me my 16yr old cousin died.

Needless to say I have not got to read much lately however, I have decided(besides need to get a new coffee table, I would like to get my son a Tag by Leapfrog for Christmas. Has anyone used one before? If so what do you think? My son loves books and I think that this might not only be educational but also help occupy him this winter since he won't be able to run off all of his energy.

Quote-Response (Entry 18)

"Desdemona: the heavens forbid but that our loves and comforts should increase even as our days do grow!
Othello: Amen to that, sweet powers! I cannot speak enough of this content.It stops me here; it is too much of joy. And this, and this, the greatest discords be [they kiss.] that e'er our hearts shall make!"(Shakespeare 966)

I like this passage where Desdemona and Othello are reunited and you can tell just by the way they speak to each other the passion and love they have for one another. I like Shakespeare's way of describing how happy he was "I cannot speak enough of this content". The word content is a simple word that's meaning is obvious but the way it was used in the sentence was interesting and added emphasis to it. I love the photo used on page 965 depicting the kiss. I think it really fit the feel of the passage, in most kissing scenes the to lovers are tight in each others embrace. although those kinds of kissing scene show passion good I think this picture captured how much Othello treasured Desdemona, using a light kiss well holding hands. The passage and picture perfectly fit my image of childhood sweet hearts and the honesty of their love.

Quote-Response(Entry 17)

"Mrs. Peters: It's the bird.
Mrs. Hale:[jumping up.] But, Mrs.Peters-look at it! Its neck! Look at its neck! It's all- other side too.
Mrs. Peters: Somebody-wrung-its-neck.......
County Attorney: Well, ladies, have you decided whether she was going to quilt it or knot it?
Mrs Peters: We think she was going to--knot it."(Glaspell 845)

This passage interested me because it was humorous. Throughout, the play the men are down talking the women and making sarcastic comments at there worries and interest however, in this passage the tables are turned. I thought it was funny that the men had no clue about the pun or the women hiding stuff from them. It is an important part because this is where it is clear that the women are not going to reveal to the men the dead bird, which could be used as evidence. This passage was defining point and a laughing point in the play.

Scene-Response(Entry 16)

Well I love this movie so I could comment on several different parts but for times sake won't. I think that the scene in which Hugo convinces Emily to sneak the scarf that Odin gave Desi is the key point in the story. After sneaking getting Emily to sneak the scarf and then giving it to Micheal for his girlfriend Hugo uses this as the bases for his plot to make Odin jealous and suspicious. From this point forward the action in movie climbs to its peak. Although, there is no doubt that Hugo is a slim-ball that is off his rocker but, he was also quite clever. His whole plan was based off very accurate assumptions of how the other characters would act and re-act. His manipulation of everyone was ingenious. This tragedy(based of Othello) was an astounding piece of work that really puts the power of love and jealousy into prospective.

Free-Style (Entry 15)

So I finished Persepolis. I really liked it, the book catch my attention from the beginning, I like reading about peoples lives( no tabloids). I would like to read the second book. It was very interesting to see how different our cultures are in some aspects but also how similar they are to, like how she wanted to follow trends and listen to rock music, the same as most teens in the 80's. This book has also give me a greater appreciation for graphic novels. When I first bought the book and glanced at it I did not think that I would like it much because I don't care for comics, however, I thought that the illustrations added so much to the story and help us see things through Marjane's eyes. It was a great book!!

Quote Response(Entry 14)

In one series it describes "torture sessions"in which the citizens had to beat on their selves.

"Hitting yourself is one of the country's rituals. During certain religious ceremonies, some people flagellated themselves brutally"(Satrapi 96).

"After a little while , no one took the torture sessions seriously anymore. As for me, I immediately started making fun of them"(Satrapi 97).

I think this passage ,along with several others, shows how rebellious Marjane was. She was constantly causing mischief when she was told or forced to do things that she did not agree with. She had a very stubborn personality and although sometimes it got her in trouble I think it is one feature that make her so impressionable. By the illustration in this series you can tell the none of the kids looked forward to beating themselves on the chest. I like how the emotion on the faces of the people in the story are to the point. The word flagellated reminded me of the book "The Di Vinci Code" when the albino man has the spike belt around his leg to punish himself.

Quote Response(Entry 13)

The symbolism in Robert Frost's "The Road Not Taken" is very obvious from the title. A fork in the road representing a moral dilemma is not uncommon but I really liked the poem.

"Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both"(line 1&2)

I thought this quote not only explained what was to come but it also summed up the poem, like a thesis. The word yellow as a description really stood out to me because to me the color yellow is mellow which is not how you feel when having to pick between to equally as appealing decisions. The 2nd line kind of made me laugh, who doesn't wish they could travel both, to bad that's usually not an option. However, like the poem stated, it is usually better to take the road less traveled even though it is normally harder it makes "all the difference"(line 20).

Poem Paraphrase (Entry 12)

The poem "First Poem for You"(Addonizio 601) really reminded me of my husband and I when we first got together so I decide to paraphrase it!

In the poem the girl is talking about how she is like to touch the tattoos of her boyfriend in the dark, she knows where they all are by heart. After they make love and are laying in be see likes to kiss his tattoos. she goes on to explain the reason that she likes them so much. She say that the tattoos will always be there weather or not they remain happy or split up. She says that the tattoo scare her because they represent commitment and so she only touches them in the dark, trying to commit to the relationship. Over all the poem talks of a girl that is scared to commit to her relationship and she finds confront in her boyfriends tattoos because they show he can commit to things.

Quote-Response (Entry 11)

I choose the quote from the very first pager of the chapter after reading the chapter I thought it fit perfectly to my idea of sound.

"The sound must seem an echo to the sense"(Pope 558)

I connected the statement in several different ways. Sound to be heard must echo out and reach the audience. The sound must portray the sense or feelings of the singer or music. To me when I read this it made me think how a good piece of music will linger on you so the word echo really popped to me, fitting that idea. If a sound is good or bad it echos in your head reminding of you of if even after it is gone. For example, if I see a picture of a hurt or crying child I was reminded of a pitiful whining sound. I think that if a sound "echos" it will be impressionable. If you hear the beat of a song it can instantly amp you up or bring you down before you ever here the words, you can truly feel the sense of a sound.

Song Quote-Reponse (Entry 10)

This is from one of my favorite songs, Headstrong

"Contemplating everything you ever said
Now I see the truth I got a doubt
A different motive in your eyes
And now I'm out, see you later....
...Back off I'll you on
Headstrong to take on anyone"(Trapt)

This is the starting of the song and I think that it is so important because it sets the mood for the rest of the song. The word contemplating stood out to me because it shows that there was serious thought put into what is being said. The line "A different motive in your eyes" drew may attention. I think that you can tell a lot about a persons mood or feeling by their eyes. The reason I love this song so much is because it saying not to give-up. I have had a lot of people doubt me achieving my goals because my childhood was so rocky but I and very headstrong!

Poem or Haiku (Entry 9)

So I can't write poems that good at all but I figured I would give it a try. It was unbelievably hard trying to peice stuff together to make a poem that actually made sense and meant something. Here is what I came up with.

" My Jewel"

He laughed joy
at the sight of his boy
She cried a tear
as her held him near

He opened one eye
it was bluer then the sky
He had one peek
then he let of a shriek

He smiled glad
now he was a dad
She boosted loud
a mother so proud

Our precious treasure
A priceless jewel

Poem Paraphrase (Entry 8)

I choose to paraphrase "The Victory" by Anne Stevenson on pg 506. I this is how I interupt the poem.

I still thought you were my prize possession even though having you and bring to into this world was so painful. You looked nasty covered in blood and still blue. You were out of me but I was still bleeding from the remnants of you. You stare at me with empty bug looking eye. You make the air tense as you cry loud shrieks. You don't do anything for your self you need and want so much. You grunt wanting food. You are my son. You are all of this chaos but I still love you. Are you really my prize or am I your?

Free-Style (Entry 7)

I just started reading this book called I Killed A Bunch Of folks by T.L.Miller. It is about this kid that is a little, well a lot of in the head and kills a whole bunch of people. I am not that far into it but it has been really disturbing. I not really into this kind of books normally but it after the first page I just had to keep going. the story is told in first person by the boy. He is in jail and the cops are trying to get him to talk but he is refusing to talk except into a tape recorder. Here is the part that puled me in.
"The first sentence(he is talking about a book) was "success comes to those who are wiling to do what others aren't willing to do.".....I seen a newspaper or two where they talked about what I done, and the word "success" ain't yet come up. But you got to admit, I'm a pretty successful killer."(T.L. Miller 1)
I have to say though the author had a very twisted mind to go come up with some of the stuff I have read. I am about half way through and the boy has already killed five people including his mother. I am wandering how it is going to end.

Quote-Response (Entry 6)

"Jim stopped inside the door, as immovable as a setter at the scent of quail. His eyes were fixed upon Della, and there was an expression in them that she could not read, and it terrified her."(Henry 167)

I picked this passage because I thought that it added to the irony of the story. It showed how well the two knew each other. She knew all his expression but could not read this one. (I can picture what was going through his head..."I just sold my fathers watch my most valuable possession for hair combos for my wife...and she is hairless?") Yet, even though they knew each other so well they could not have ever guessed that the other one would have sold their most valuable item to buy them a gift. Each one tried to make the "ultimate" sacrifice and it back fired.

Freestyle (Entry 5)

I read the story in our text book Where you are going, Where have you been? by Joyce carol Oates. It was a very interestingly scaring story. The start of it has a very relaxing and happy feeling however, as you read through the pages it was very effective in rising my heart beat as the plot thickened. One thing I noticed as I read was that the story was wrote in past tense "Her name was Connie." (Oates 378)starting off using the word "was" implied that Connie "is" no longer living. What freaked me out the most though was the guy in this story was truly twisted. Everything about him made me think "stranger danger". The cocky way he talked as if he knew how everything would play out irked me. Reflecting on this story as a whole I was very disturbed at how easily something like this can/does happen. I can easily put my self in her shoes at that age and I see the story ending the same way, very alarming.

Quote-Response(Entry 4)

" "They do say," Mr. Adams said to Old Man Warner, who stood next to him, "that over in the north village they're talking of giving up the lottery." Old Man Warner snorted. "Pack of crazy fools."(Jackson, 219)

"Lottery in June, corn be heavy soon"(Jackson, 219)

In the beginning the of the story the words lottery and village in the same sentence clashed with my picture of the lottery. So I started my reading picturing an old town filled with pilgrims riding around on horses and initially thought that the lottery was simply a drawing in which they won something. As I read on I realized that the lottery was something they were being forced to partake in so most likely not a prize. When I got to the parts I quoted it struck me a little odd that the old man was so upset at the idea of not doing the lottery. I was even more bewildered when he stated that the crops would be heavy due to the lottery being done. Was the lottery done as some sort of religious sacrifice? There was not mention of anyone or thing they were try to please by doing the lottery simply that is was a tradition. Over all I think that the writer achieved her goal of demonstrating "pointless violence" It real made me think of some of the pointless traditions in my life. Like Easter, I am religious so there are the ideals behind that but egg hunting and presents and a jumbo bunny seem pretty pointless. My favorite type of story is one like this, it leaves you thinking.

Free-Style (Entry 3)

I think that reading incentive programs are very useful in schools and help not only improve reading skills but also motivate children to read. I am not sure if this program/one like it is in Oregon but in Arizona there is program for younger elementary children that pushes reading on your own time for recreation. How the one I went through as a child worked was for every book I read and passed a comprehension test on I got a sticker from the teacher. Once I collected 20 sticker I could take my little card(like a coffee card) to Pizza Hut and get a free personal sized pizza. Then for the class(1st-5th)that read the most books by the end of the year there was a pizza party! The part that I like is that the kids get to pick their own books(with-in their reading level) and read them on their own time. It is not a requirement so reading is not forced on the kids, the program is completely voluntary. I think that more programs like this could really help promote reading.

Quote Response(Entry 2)

This text really kept me reading to find out more. Not something I would have normally choose to read but I liked it.

"The man himself lay in the bed. For a long while we just stood there, looking down at the profound and fleshless grin".(Faulkner,34)

When I read this my heart stopped. I was very shocked. The passage before set up for it but I was still not prepared. The word FLESHLESS jumped out at me while I was reading it and really made the mental image of this scene come alive. The passage reminded me of the movie "Stir of Echos" when the main character found a dead body in the wall. This passage really ties the whole story together. I was wondering where the text was going with the part about the bad smell and the arsenic part. It mentioned them then changed subjects so the passage really brings it together. At the end I was left asking Why would she kill him? Was it because she feared being alone, but if so wasn't she still left alone. Or did she have issues letting go, like separation anxiety?

About Me!!

My name is Samantha Jolene Garrison. I get called Sam, Sami, Sami Jo, and Samantha all pretty regularly by different people. I honestly do not have a preference to which one I am called but most people just call me Sam. I currently live in La Grande but was born and raised in Southern Arizona. I moved to La Grande with my husband (then fiancé) in February of 2007, a month later we found out I was pregnant. Our son, Lakoda James, was born on November 11th, 2007. I am going to school to get a degree in nursing. I work full time in a nursing home as a CNA; however, I hope to work as an OB Nurse when I graduate. My family is my world. I love playing with my son, goofing off with my hubby, and when I have the money visiting my family in Arizona. I also enjoy running and scrap booking but I do not have the time to do either very often. I have very high standard for myself, my mom has always said that I am my worst critic. I think that to often people make excuses to fail instead of making reason to succeed. Overall, I am a very optimistic person. I really like the motto “Life is what it is, if you don’t like it change it. If you can’t change it, learn to live with it.”

I really enjoy reading. I am not sure I have a favorite genre because my favorite books are all very different (In the time of the Butterflies, Black Creek Crossing, and the Twilight series are some recent one I have liked). As a kid I can remember reading my childhood favorite the Velveteen Rabbit to just about anyone who would listen. I continued to like to read through the years but don’t reading aloud in front of a lot of people, it makes me nervous. I have always had good reading comprehension but stumble when I read aloud too fast. Although I have always liked to read most of my spare time as a kid I used playing sports. These days reading is sometimes relaxing whether it’s a book of my choice or my son choice. I like to read before bed to wind down and help take my mind off stressful things in my life.

My husbands reading likes are very different then mine. He for the most part likes non-fiction reading only. He likes to read the magazine Bikes (a motorcycle one) and the National Geographic. He said he has “Never been a big fan of reading but never really disliked it ever either.” His furthest memory of reading was getting sticker at church for finding and reading the weekly Bible verse. As for my mother, she loves to read. I can remember finding novels around the house all my life. Like me she doesn’t favor a particular genre. Some of her favorites include The Clan of the Cave Bear series, Sacagawea, You’ve Been There Before, and several by Patricia Cornwell. She says she likes to read because, “The more you read the more you learn.” (What a motherly type of response.) Reading is one of my mom’s favorite things to do; she even reads on the toilet if she is really into a book. My niece Josephine is 8yrs and takes after my mom a lot in the reading aspect. Her favorite types of books are, “Long, funny, chapter books.” She loves the Goose Bump books particularly, How I Got My Shrunken Head. She said she likes to read because, “It’s interesting and I learn new stuff.” Her furthest memory of books was me reading her princess books before bed. (I read to her almost every night until I moved; she was five.)