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I've been struggling, however, with figuring out how a float pushing a minority group's opinion about how to manage the shelves at the public library fit in a parade that is meant to celebrate patriotism and freedom. Even the parade's guidelines make clear what is expected of participants:
The Fourth of July Family Parade is a community celebration of our nation’s independence. Please keep the tone and attitude of your participation positive, upbeat, celebratory and show your patriotism!I guess the fact that the Preamble of the Constitution was recited, and that the float was red, white, and blue helps meet these expectations, but generally I remain befuddled about how pushing an agenda that is focused on forcing the removal of certain books from some of the library's shelves -- and replacing library board members who hesitate to do so -- is meant to be "positive, upbeat, celebratory" or otherwise worthy of a float in a parade.
Further, consider the books celebrated by the float and its participants:
- Treasure Island
- The Scarlet Pimpernel
- The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
- The Indian in the Cupboard
- Saffy's Angel
- Little Women
And it's no surprise that these books tend to celebrate Christian, Puritan or related themes. Sure wouldn't want anything salacious on the float (we'll ignore Louisa May Alcott's other notable book, the passionate gothic novel, A Long Fatal Love Chase).
Happy 4th!
Honestly, you are reading too much into this. You are overreacting.
ReplyDeleteI'm certain you are not opposed to freedom of speech.
Besides, freeing the library from the grip of the ALA and restoring local control is reminiscent of freeing the country from the grip of tyranny.
Taxation without representation. Inappropriate materials for children at taxpayer expense without representation. Almost the same thing.
Maria, if you are going to criticize her, make it legitimate, and even compelling.
"The interest in protecting young library users from material inappropriate for minors is legitimate, and even compelling, as all Members of the Court appear to agree."
- Supreme Court of the United States, [US v. ALA]
I just find it amusing how they tried to get their "save the children from gay porn" message into a 4th of July parade.
ReplyDeleteAnd your constant quoting of this Supreme Court ruling passage is tiresome and misplaced, which I'll explain in a future blog post....
"[T]hey tried to get their 'save the children from gay porn' message into a 4th of July parade."
ReplyDeleteExplain, please.
No, no. Not Maria. Dennis. I mean Bob. I mean Dennis. I mean...
ReplyDeleteMaria is not the author of this blog.
ReplyDeleteYeah, Dan, I don't write this blog, and in fact, I don't even know who the author is (but with each post, I like him/her more and more.) I only write about this issue, either in my blogs or others, under my real name.
ReplyDeleteBesides, freeing the library from the grip of the ALA and restoring local control is reminiscent of freeing the country from the grip of tyranny.
ReplyDeleteThe WB library is not under "the grip of the ALA."
Yes, Maria, it is, and you are one of its enforcers. What with the conference, you are one of its paid enforcers.
ReplyDeleteChrist, Dan. The ALA is a professional association that provides guidelines and advocates for libraries. Just like the National Association of Police Organizations does for police departments. Are you claiming that the West Bend police department is under the grip of the NAPO if they happen to ask them for advice when dealing with an issue.
ReplyDeleteHere's a thought: get off your a$$ in New Jersey and come out here to learn something about this community and the local issue. Otherwise, stop your complaining and meddling from a distance.
Okay, I'll be more specific.
ReplyDeleteLibrarians used to keep children from inappropriate material, and the ALA supported those efforts.
Along came an ACLU leader who, when part of the ALA, changed the playing field by changing the mission of libraries. No longer would librarians keep inappropriate material from children. Now, they are to merely provide access to anything at all to any child. Oh, not all librarians are like that, but that's the new ALA policy.
On its own, the ALA did this, with no input from outside the ALA. Then it pushed it into libraries nationwide, and like frogs in cold water under boil, nobody did anything.
Along comes this West Bend matter. Now, Ginny is the oddball for trying to keep inappropriate material from children. What used to be expected in libraries nationwide has been turned on its head by the ACLU/ALA so now the norm is all things for all children and the oddball is the one trying to restore a local library to the way things used to be.
What a coincidence that the ALA should ride to the rescue to enforce its view of all things for all ages. The ALA has not even changed its policy in light of the US Supreme Court:
"The interest in protecting young library users from material inappropriate for minors is legitimate, and even compelling, as all Members of the Court appear to agree."
That is just one example of how the community is under the ALA's grip, let alone numerous others.
Again with the singular phrase taken out of context from a Supreme Court opinion. I'll be posting the error of your ways re this soon...
ReplyDeleteI'll be looking forward to that post. But it won't matter. The Supreme Court justices themselves could point out his interpretive errors and he would probably still continue using that quote.
ReplyDelete