In the latest student edition of American Libraries Direct (May 2009, vol. 2, issue 5) the leadoff story was The Top Ten Challenged Books of 2008. They are as follows:
1. "And Tango Makes Three," by Justin Richardson/Peter Parnell. Reasons: Anti-Ethnic, Anti-Family, Homosexuality, Religious Viewpoint, Unsuited to Age Group
2. "His Dark Materials Trilogy" (Series), Philip Pullman. Reasons: Political Viewpoint, Religious Viewpoint, Violence
3. "TTYL"; "TTFN"; "L8R, G8R" (Series), Lauren Myracle. Reasons: Offensive Language, Sexually Explicit, Unsuited to Age Group
4. "Scary Stories" (Series), Alvin Schwartz. Reasons: Occult/Satanism, Religious Viewpoint, Violence
5. "Bless Me, Ultima," by Rudolfo Anaya. Reasons: Occult/Satanism, Offensive Language, Religious Viewpoint, Sexually Explicit, Violence
6. "The Perks of Being A Wallflower," by Stephen Chbosky. Reasons: Drugs, Homosexuality, Nudity, Offensive Language, Sexually Explicit, Suicide, Unsuited to Age Group
7. "Gossip Girl" (Series), by Cecily von Ziegesar. Reasons: Offensive Language, Sexually Explicit, Unsuited to Age Group
8. "Uncle Bobby's Wedding," by Sarah S. Brannen. Reasons: Homosexuality, Unsuited to Age Group
9. "The Kite Runner," by Khaled Hosseini. Reasons: Offensive Language, Sexually Explicit, Unsuited to Age Group
10. "Flashcards of My Life," by Charise Mericle Harper. Reasons: Sexually Explicit, Unsuited to Age Group
While it perplexes me as to why anyone would want to see ANY book proscribed, I am particularly astounded that "And Tango Makes Three" has been at the top of the list for the last three years running! After all, the book is based on the true story of two male Chinstrap Penguins (Roy and Silo) who couple and, after being given an egg by the zookeepers at the Central Park Zoo, successfully hatch the egg and raise the chick (Tango) together.
Unfortunately, it does not look like the controversy surrounding the book will end anytime soon. In the online article Gay Curriculum Proposal Riles Elementary School Parents, Fox News reporter Katie Landan relates that A group of parents from the Unified School District in Alameda, California are being "forced" to accept a new curriculum that utilizes “And Tango Makes Three” and “includes compulsory lessons about the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community that will be taught to children as young as 5 years old.”
I guess I just don't understand why people cannot accept the tale for what it is, an endearing, lovely story concerning natural animal behavior!
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7 comments:
Yes, the arguments against this book baffle me too. There is no mention of sexuality in this book, only that two male penguins, who did not have female mates, took turns sitting on an abandoned egg that then hatches.
There were four or five groups that considered this book in the "Request for Reconsideration" project. You might want to check out a few, they are all a bit different (examining several different cases) and very well done (both sides, not just the sides supporting retaining the book in the collection).
I'm in agreement that its ridiculous for this book to be on the list. At no point do they ever discuss anything sexually related. I think that some people tend to take offense at anything that doesn't fit with their view of life. While the book is based on a true story and is in my opinion very positive and worth reading, many people see it as affirming a lifestyle they don't agree with. You'll notice that all of the books on the list cite almost the same reasons fro their inclusion.
The general public likes to misconstrue everything. There is no way to predict how someone with interpret something. As IF ambassadors we must remember that everything is subject to interpretation. My biggest concern is when religious groups try to censor public libraries…
In one of my classes awhile back someone brought this book in and read it to us. I had never heard of this book and new nothing of the controversay. At the end of the reading, I couldn't figure out what the problem was. Not one time while I was listening to the story did anything homosexual pop into my head. Some people are just looking for things to complain about. This book would probably have gone unnoticed (or at least the fact that is two males) if it wasn't for people trying to stop anything they can.
Well... to normal, open minded people, this seems very crazy. Sadly, there are a lot of close minded people out there. Moreover, there are a lot of people who believe that somehow their children will "turn" gay or become gay because they read a book about two male penguins. Kids do not even understand the idea that these penguins could represent a homosexual couple. It is like when adults and children watch pixar movies together. Parents get the meaning of the story and jokes on another level than the children do. Unfortunately, when parents start throwing a fit over Tango Makes Three or any other book involving homosexuality, then their children start believing that the book and its possible message are bad. This is how prejudice against people, ideas, and books is started.
I agree with Donna's comment: this is in part at least how bigotry is born. When parents--and other adults--are up in arms over a book, children are going to think there is something wrong with the book's message. And the message of "And Tango Makes Three" simply seems to be that there are all kinds of families and that love and caring are not limited to our narrow view of what they SHOULD be.
And as Michael points out, these are penguins! But people who are looking for something to which to object will find it, no matter where they look.
Tammy
Thank you all for your comments! I enjoyed reading them. I am also glad that I am not the only one who does not get the correlation between this story and homosexual human males. For me, that is a BIG STREEEEEEEEEEETCH....
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