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12/13/2010
Profanity, sexuality should not be condoned in Appleton schools
Grand Chute resident John Krueger says fighting AASD’s use of profane books in its curriculum is not a censorship issue, but rather one of proper selection. The concerned parent will state his case at tonight’s School Board meeting and would appreciate members of the community being there to support him. Krueger says community attendees need not address the subject if they’d prefer not to, but just being in attendance will indicate support for keeping blatant profanity and sexuality out of 9th grade classrooms.
The school board meeting is at 7:00 pm tonight (Monday, Dec. 13) at 122 E. Washington St., Appleton. You can park on the street or in the East Ramp. Attendees should have to stay no longer than 7:30 to support Krueger’s comments.
Below are selected paragraphs from the comments Krueger will share with Appleton’s School Board tonight on 9th grade required reading, The Body of Christopher Creed.
The book uses profanity that is unacceptable when otherwise used by students in school and, if used by a student in school, could be grounds for disciplinary action. If this language is deemed to be inappropriate for use in the schools then that standard should apply for assigned reading materials as well. The use of this book as assigned reading means the school is, in essence, violating its own standards of appropriate language and this should not be allowed.
…. By assigning it for ‘educational’ purposes the school is, in fact, condoning sexual behavior contrary to stated School Board philosophy. In this case, the argument is being advanced that the language and sexual content can be overlooked because some other goal is being met, which is the definition of condoning: to regard or treat something bad or inappropriate as acceptable, understandable, or harmless.
The sexual references in the book depict a casual attitude toward teen-age sex, without being balanced by any depiction of the damage such casual sex may cause (unwanted pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and the potential for sexual exploitation of or by another).
In addition, girls are at times portrayed by characters in a degrading way which would not otherwise be allowable in school. These portrayals are also contrary to Section 361 which states that “materials…will be chosen to foster respect for women…”
…. Roll that phrase over in your mind - its intended educational use. In this specific case, its intended educational use is to promote ‘compassion for others’. It will be argued that the profanity and sexual references are not part of its intended educational use, but are merely there for ‘character development’ and to ‘make the story relevant’. Therefore, proponents argue that the profanity and sexual references should not even be considered when judging the ‘merits’ of the book. Now we see why the NCAC promotes this specific review process: parental concerns can be dismissed as being irrelevant to the intent of this book - or any other book. Parents are reduced to debating the intent of the author rather than the content of the book. At the end of the day, this ‘review’ process has the advantage of appearing to be fair and impartial when it is actually a sham.
Make a difference; attend tonight’s school board meeting.
Jo Egelhoff, FoxPolitics.net
COMMENTS
The book is supposedly being used for multiple purposes including the compassion you mentioned. I would rather see books used for English.
I just finished the book. Trite at best. It makes teachers "cool" as they can allow students to be inappropriate with their language etc.
There are MANY classics out there that can be used that will teach the desired skills in a better manner.
Call Superintendent Allinger and ask him if he really wants his own children reading profanity.
David (Mon Dec 13 08:10:21 2010)
This matter should not be up for discussion. I am disappointed that the Board has let it go this far.
Parents often have the right to remove their child from class if they find the material offensive.
I think in this case the parents should have to "opt" their child into the class using this book. They should have to sign a waiver to have their child read such offensive language etc as will be discussed tonight.
Imagine Christmas dinner with the extended family. Do you want your child using that language at the dinner table? Of course not!
School Board. Get this %#^]*] ˆ<% book out of the curriculum. By the way I find what I wrote above offensive because of what it represents.
David (Mon Dec 13 09:19:06 2010)
I have never read the aforementioned book and from the review above I won't. I don't listen to or read "garbage". I agree with the blogger who stated that it is too bad that the AASD Board has allowed it to go this far. This appears to be just another step down the slippery slope. If the language is inappropriate to use in the school building or at school events, then it is DEFINITELY inappropriate to be used as a teach tool in the school. It was stated that one of the goals was to teach compassion. I do believe that there is much better literature out there that would do that. I hope that there is an overflow crowd tonight that will send a clear message to the School Board that parents have standards and values and we demand those to be upheld. I don't have any children or grandchildren in the system anymore, but I would be there if I wasn't 2200 miles away!!
bhm (Mon Dec 13 12:46:09 2010)
Thanks Jo and David. What lame excuses to explain why this book should be read. And pray tell, what exactly is wrong with teaching our children morality and Christian concern for each other. Oh, I forgot, Christianity seems to be banned from assigned reading. Does anyone see a problem with that? I would not use or read this book, much less assign if for reading. And if some one said my child had to read it, NO WAY!! I'd also question any teacher that tried to assign it. What exactly are they trying to teach? I don't know if you'll even print the examples listed, but people really need to know how bad it is. Examples: “like s_ _t” p.7, (the word ‘s_ _t’ is used in a number of areas, you can read the book) “oh-so-f'ing normal” p.8, “boffing one of our friends”, p.57, “a_ _hole”, “get the f_ _k out”, “banging off the walls” p.76 “pissing ourselves” p.79 “hanging by his balls” p.84, “hooking up in the woods” p.86, “she’s just the girl I’m f'ing right now” p.87, “kiss my ass”, p.96 “you can go f_ _k yourself” p.103 A truly great book would teach our children that those words and actions are not to be used! School Board and parents, wake up and do your duty!
From Jo: Call me a prude, but I decided this morning not to print the offending language. I've modified Mary's piece slightly. Surely, you get the idea. It's pretty blatant profanity.
Mary Hoffman (Mon Dec 13 12:54:17 2010)
Given the massive amount of sex and violence on TV and in the movies, it's hard to imagine that The Body of Christopher Creed portrays anything that today's kids haven't witnessed hundreds if not thousands of times.
What's different in the case of novel, regardless of how vulgar it may or may not be, is that it is being presented under the supervision of responsible adults. If students are troubled by the language and actions portrayed in the book, they can discuss their concerns with a teacher. In so doing, they might discover what the author intended and why the novel includes language and actions normally considered objectionable. Conversely, they might discover that The Body of Christopher Creed isn't much of a novel; that its use of crude language and actions serves no purpose beyond titillation.
Either way, this much is clear: Appleton students' critical thinking and reading skills won't be served by the kind of approach John Krueger favors. To demand, as Mr. Krueger does, that any novel taught to Appleton freshmen confine its depictions to behavioral guidelines set forth in a school handbook is to demand a steady diet of unreadable mush.
If The Body of Christopher Creed fails on literary grounds or is not age appropriate, fine. Replace it. But don't replace it with something that conforms to the bland recipe set forth by Mr. Krueger.
Unlike Mr. Krueger, I'm willing to give our kids some credit for intelligence. Most of them surely realize by ninth grade that the words and actions portrayed by characters in a novel are not necessarily meant to be emulated. If Mr. Krueger does not understand this, maybe he should have paid more attention back in school.
Jim Meyer (Mon Dec 13 12:57:18 2010)
Given the massive amount of sex and violence on TV and in the movies, it's hard to imagine that The Body of Christopher Creed portrays anything that today's kids haven't witnessed hundreds if not thousands of times.
What's different in the case of novel, regardless of how vulgar it may or may not be,is that it is being presented under the supervision of responsible adults. If students are troubled by the language and actions portrayed in the book, they can discuss their concerns with a teacher. In so doing, they might discover what the author intended and why the novel includes language and actions normally considered objectionable. Conversely, they might discover that The Body of Christopher Creed isn't much of a novel; that its use of crude language and actions serves no purpose beyond titillation.
Either way, this much is clear: Appleton students' critical thinking and reading skills won't be served by the kind of approach John Krueger favors. To demand, as Mr. Krueger does, that any novel taught to Appleton freshmen confine its depictions to behavioral guidelines set forth in a school handbook is to demand a steady diet of unreadable mush.
If The Body of Christopher Creed fails on literary grounds or is not age appropriate, fine. Replace it. But don't replace it with something that conforms to the bland recipe set forth by Mr. Krueger.
Unlike Mr. Krueger, I'm willing to give our kids some credit for intelligence. Most of them surely realize by ninth grade that the words and actions portrayed by characters in a novel are not necessarily meant to be emulated. If Mr. Krueger does not understand this, maybe he should have paid more attention back in school.
Jim Meyer (Mon Dec 13 14:41:59 2010)
Mr Meyer. I'm sorry if you think the book about Christopher Reed "portrays what today's kids have witnessed hundreds if not thousands of times". That indeed would be a sad commentary! Are you aware there are still some decent programs out there, if you just practice discernment?
You go on to say that being a novel, "it is being presented under the supervision of responsible adults". Yikes if these are responsible adults/teachers and expect this to be "required" reading then lets find a different type of adult! If that's considered "responsible" then we are all in a great deal of trouble.
I strongly disagree with your statement "Appleton students' critical thinking and reading skills won't be served by the kind of approach John Krueger favors". You also state "don't replace it with something that conforms to the bland recipe set forth by Mr. Krueger".
I'm sorry, but as a "responsible" parent that's exactly what I want it replaced with. Yes, I would prefer children and adults to have " a steady diet of unreadable mush" as you state it. Guess it all depends on what unreadable is, doesn't it? And I guess that goes back to what a person's values or lack of values are! I'm glad my children lean towards the "mush" side and they don't have to rely on the "responsible" adults to prescribe what they will read.
Mary Hoffman (Mon Dec 13 15:31:15 2010)
"And pray tell, what exactly is wrong with teaching our children morality and Christian concern for each other. Oh, I forgot, Christianity seems to be banned from assigned reading. Does anyone see a problem with that?"
Exactly what is wrong is that it's against the law. Just as it would be to teach Islamic concern for each other. And that's what I have a problem with. If you want to teach Christian ideals, send your kids to a private school, or home school them. Some of us actually believe in the Constitution -- all of it.
jimspice (Mon Dec 13 15:43:08 2010)
Somehow I find a culture that teaches its children filthy language and balks at the Bible (The Greatest Story Ever Told") is on its way back to barbarism.
There is nothing about separation of state and religion in my copy of the Constitution.
This reminds me of an article that was written in the Post Crescent quite a few years ago. A Chinese classical musician was appearing locally and while interviewing him the reporter was astonished to discover the musician had never heard of Bach. Further questioning elicited the reason. When told about Bach's work the musician said the reason was probably because Bach wrote religious music. All religion was banned in Communist China.
Is that the way we're headed in this country?
It seems those that protest most against censorship are the first to practice it.
The "ideals" of the Christian and Jewish religions are based on "The Ten Commandments"as is most law.
C. R. Stevenson (Mon Dec 13 23:03:46 2010)
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