Posts
First, a cento:
Now what led to the poem as well as the sources with reasons why the poem was challenged or banned in US schools at some point in time.
It is not an easy time for those who cherish the First Amendment to the US Constitution. Organized efforts to remove published books from public and school libraries are at an all time high despite the fact that the attacks come from a relatively small number of people.
As a school librarian in a public school I am mindful of political polarization as I see my students with professional tenderness that allows them freedom to learn and grow while practicing staying healthy, safe and strong within our community of middle schoolers.
I sincerely and seriously think about what books are available and should be available for students given the constraints of budget, developmental ages and stages amid an ever-growing resistance to read for pleasure in society.
This past week Banned Book Week has been recognized by The American Library Association and PEN America. Even though these organizations count book challenges and banned books differently, there is no question that the number continues to increase in addition to disregard for professionally trained and certified librarians who are dedicated to the constant work of balancing wants, needs and opinions.
I asked AI to list the most challenged or banned poetry in US Schools. Copilot generated this list. The font color for each poet's name is the key to lines in the cento above.
1. Amanda Gorman – The Hill We Climb
Reason: One Florida school restricted access after a parent claimed it contained “hate messages” and was not age-appropriate.
Context: This poem was read at President Biden’s inauguration and intended to inspire unity and hope. [www.pbs.org]
2. Shel Silverstein – A Light in the Attic
Reason: Challenged for promoting disobedience and “morbid” themes.
3. Gwendolyn Brooks – We Real Cool
Reason: Banned in some schools due to perceived sexual content in the line “Jazz June.”
Context: A powerful poem about youth and rebellion, often misunderstood. [sppl.bibli...ommons.com]
4. Allen Ginsberg – Howl and Other Poems
Reason: Obscenity trial due to explicit language and sexual content.
Context: Though ultimately protected by the First Amendment, it was banned in schools for decades. [sppl.bibli...ommons.com]
5. Luis Valdez – In Lak’ech: You Are My Other Me
Reason: Banned in Arizona under laws targeting ethnic studies.
Context: A poem promoting cultural identity and solidarity. [sppl.bibli...ommons.com]
6. Charles Baudelaire – Les Fleurs du Mal (The Flowers of Evil)
Reason: Banned for sexual content and themes of homosexuality.
Context: Though French, this collection has been challenged in U.S. schools and libraries. [sppl.bibli...ommons.com]
7. Walt Whitman – Leaves of Grass
Reason: Banned for homoerotic themes and “shocking” language.
I so appreciate your post, Linda, and the after notes about some that have been challenged and banned, for reasons that feel nonsensical to me, but clearly others are looking, and creating, for their own needs. Bless you for taking on the work with beautiful heart! This, "that even as we grieved, we grew", feels truer than ever!
ReplyDeleteThanks for this, Linda. I'm always stunned by the reasons some people give for wanting to have a poem or book banned. Why is it so hard to simply discuss what one finds objectionable, or (gasp!) simply say, "That's not for me," and move on? Reasonable discussion is highly underrated with such people. And now I'm off to read every banned poem I can.
ReplyDeleteLinda, as a librarian you always are right on with books that bring joy and pleasure to young students. Thanks for writing this post with all its notes so that I could be truly amazed and disappointed by what people think should be banned. When I was the Districtwide Director I asked the teachers to scan books for each grade level and provide those that would spark their summer reading. I worked with the public librarian also and we did not have any parents who were against what we did. This is an important message that you sent out. I am sharing a quick peek into the Summering Mini-Gallery that I am creating. I cannot find the email with your work that you sent me. Can you please send it again? Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your cento and strong advocacy of the First Amendment. Appreciated your list of all the poems and reasons why they were banned -- only knew about some of them. I sense that in many cases, those who would ban certain poems or books are huge hypocrites.
ReplyDeleteLinda, hooray for you and other librarians around our country, keeping the faith and keeping up the fight to protect our first amendment. Wow! Thank you for your cento, and especially all the reasons and contexts given for each poem you chose. I'm not sure why I can't open your links on my computer, but the last one worked for me, and I'm off now to read some banned poems. Thanks again! Keep up the good work, hero!
ReplyDeleteWe are facing our own wave of book challenges and bans here in Canada, sadly emboldened by the successes of our neighbours to the south. The blatant bigotry is astounding. :( I think of Sean Connery's perfect line in The Last Crusade: "It tells me that goose stepping morons like yourself should try reading books instead of burning them." Nobody who bans books has ever been on the right side of history.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all this research, Linda! It is wild that people think reading something will mess their children up, but they don't think the books they like their kids to read will stop them from being messed up. Which is it? Are books all powerful or not? I think fundamentally, they think their own reasoning is less convincing so they can't count on it to work.
ReplyDeleteI'm off today to write postcards to representatives about banned books and our First Amendment rights. Thanks for this encouragement, Linda!
ReplyDeleteI'm on a mission to fill the gaps in my reading with banned books!
ReplyDelete😩 Ug!!! Banning these books is a crime! Can’t believe “Leaves of Grass” is on there and Gorman’s poem—big sigh 😔 Thanks for sharing all, and for carrying the book 📕 torch!
ReplyDeleteThank you Linda for the clever poem featuring the banned books. I was shaking my head at each explanation. It really is unbelievable. I am intrigued about the form- Cento. Will look that up. Nice to see you at Georgia's webinar.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this, Linda, and your efforts to fight back. I'm committed to reading more banned books and poetry - a personal act of resistance. I'm always reminded of the novel Fahrenheit 451 when I hear about banned books. I probably couldn't commit a whole novel to memory, but maybe a few lines or a poem.
ReplyDelete