this post was submitted on 02 Mar 2024
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[–] [email protected] 25 points 8 months ago (3 children)

Fucking idiots

The whole point of to kill a mocking bird is to teach us that racism and stereotypes are bad.

Theyre removing it for containing stereotypes and being insensitive.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 8 months ago (1 children)

How the hell is Of Mice and Men sexual?

[–] [email protected] 6 points 8 months ago

The Vaseline filled glove to keep his hand soft for the guy's wife is the only thing I remember even hinting at something sexual, but it has been a few decades.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 8 months ago

Full circle moment

[–] [email protected] 13 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Just to provide some perspective for anyone who doesn't read the article:

  • The books are not in any sense banned
  • Teachers are still allowed to teach them
  • The significance of the "recommended reading list" is that it acts as a "pre-approved" set of titles for teachers to use in the classroom
  • If a teacher wants to teach a non-list book, they can, after getting approval from the principal
  • AFAICT, the books will all still be available in the library like normal

That's not to make a claim about whether it's a good idea or not-- It will probably make it less likely that teachers will choose these books, which might be bad. The reasoning (outdated handling of racial topics; discomfort for students) is dubious and under-explained, IMO. But unless I'm missing something, it's not even close to a book ban.

Just keep that in mind in advance of the "SOON IT WILL BE THOUGHT CRIME!" angle.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 8 months ago (1 children)

The decision to remove the four books from the list was made by a panel of 12 teachers, led by a group of researchers and experts on racial equity and inclusive education. The teachers did independent reviews of the recommended resources, ultimately determining that the four should no longer be recommended, Matthew said.

This decision comes from a group of teachers. From the article and local reporting it also seems unpopular with both sides of the provincial political fence.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago

Correct, which is interesting-- I was surprised that Premier Eby a) criticized the decision, and b) referred to it as a ban.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 8 months ago

As a survivor of the Surrey school district, it's always been fucking awful