Parents are the legal guardians of their children so by law they have to have the right to question objectionable material.

Yes, and it is perfectly fine that they take care of [i][b]their own children.[/b][/i] But other kids that are not theirs should be off limits...right?[/i]

Before we jump to conclusions saying that a "few" parents complained, do you by chance know how many people, either exact numbers or percentagewise, that "few" people are?
I doubt that unless a majority, that is more than half, of the parents petitioned to have the book removed, the Board would have removed it.

I agree that you are in high school, but it is my (personal) experience that freshman are quite immature; do not take this as an insult, I will admit that most of my class , including myself, were quite immature as freshmen. The problem with reading a book of the same calibur as [i]I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings[/i] is that the average freshman will probably not truly take in Angelou's true message from the work, but rather focus on the more...graphic...portions of the novel, and thus will not appreciate the true value of the book as a literary work. I have to admit, when I read the book in my Freshman year, it was quite a "distraction" from the true purpose of the autobiography.

Of course, there will always be some freshman who will see past the graphic portions to see the book as the literary gem it is. Still, it is my belief that most freshmen have not matured enough to truly analyze the book.

Now, the fact that they were considering the removal of [i]Sula[/i], by Toni Morrison, (which is perhaps the most graphic novel I have read in high school) from a 12th grade AP English Literature class DOES raise some concern for me, as by that point, I feel most students have matured enough to appreciate the literature.

I completely agree with what you are saying. The fact that the material may not be fully appreciated is completely true. But, I just feel a little insulted when I read our school newspaper and in the article about [i]I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings[/i] the reason that the parents are petitioning is because the don't think that we can handle the "inappropriate" content.

Wait...they are banning a book that [i]twelth graders[/i] are reading?! That is redicuous! You guys are [i]definatly[/i] mature enough! I mean, there is a point where parents need to stop sheltering their kids...and twelth grade is [i]way[/i] past that point!

[quote="Aria"]Wait...they are banning a book that [i]twelth graders[/i] are reading?! That is redicuous! You guys are [i]definatly[/i] mature enough! I mean, there is a point where parents need to stop sheltering their kids...and twelth grade is [i]way[/i] past that point![/quote]

Some parents petitioned to have it removed, but they didn't succeed. Its here to stay, for now at least.

I attended the county wide CAC meeting where parents were complaining about this book. It was very clear that if any of them had read it, it was only the graphic sections. I could barely keep from laughing their comments were so absurd. However, I do understand where they are coming from, because some kids are immature and will act just like these parents when approaching the book. Regardless, I can never support the banning of a book, no matter what it is. The committee that put this book on the 9th grade reading list put it there after careful consideration. It fits well into the curriculum and can leave a life-long impression on students who take the time to read and understand it. I know I learned a lot reading it. Anyway, I totally agree with you, but I think there will always be some people who won't even give it a chance.

Were they seriously considering banning the book? I am going to [i]have[/i] to start a petition if they do. I mean, many kids have seen an R-rated movie at this age. A book that has [i]less[/i] graphic material than an R-rated movie should [i]not[/i] be in question!

Parent will object to anything. They tried to ban the classic Catcher In the Rye. I agree parents should have a say in their childens education but that doesn't mean locking them down. The parents who usually support bans are very outspoken and very few.