"Censorship reflects a society’s lack of confidence in itself. It is a hallmark of an authoritarian regime." Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart-1966.
Recently [story posted Thursday, February 3, 2005] a book that was being used as part of an English assignment was confiscated from freshmen at Norwood [Colorado] High School due to references of paganism and an alleged magnitude of profanity.
Here in Norwood, a small group of parents sent letters to Superintendent Bob Conder, expressing their concern over, "Bless Me, Ultima," a book being used in the classroom as a literature book. Conder said the books, about 2 dozen in total costing $6.99 each, were pulled from the classroom, and designated to be destroyed. The parents approached the superintendent and asked that they be able to burn the books instead of the school janitor destroying them.
Conder granted them their request, as he has the right to dispose of them. Conder informed the School Board in a letter after the fact. He further stated, "I can’t dictate morality, but my job is to protect the kids. The books should have never been purchased, and were not properly disclosed for approval."
The author, Rudolfo Anaya, said in a phone interview, "Freedom of democracy is learned in our school systems." Anaya, who started teaching in a one-room school house in New Mexico further stated, "Parents have the right to monitor what their children read, however they do not have the right to tell others what they can read. That is un-American, un-democratic and un-educational." Link
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