Follow us:
DR. BICKMORE'S YA WEDNESDAY
  • Weekly Posts
  • WEEKEND PICKS 2023
  • Monday Motivators 2023
  • Weekend Picks 2021
  • Contributors
  • Bickmore's Posts
  • Lesley Roessing's Posts
  • Weekend Picks 2020
  • Weekend Picks 2019
  • Weekend Picks old
  • 2021 UNLV online Summit
  • UNLV online Summit 2020
  • 2019 Summit on Teaching YA
  • 2018 Summit
  • Contact
  • About
  • WEEKEND PICKS 2023

Dr. Bickmore's YA Wednesday has a new Feature-- A YouTube Channel

Don't worry, it is easy to find.  Just go to YouTube and search for Dr. Bickmore's YA Wednesday.

Check Out the YouTube Channel

Defending Freedom of Speech: Organizations Dedicated to Protecting the First Amendment of the US Constitution by Jeffrey Kaplan

1/17/2018

1 Comment

 
It is that time of year when we are preparing the final curriculum choices for the rest of the year. What are we selecting for our students? Will it meet their needs? Will it engage them? What if a parent objects? Is there a difference between what we put on our shelves and what we teach to the whole class?  I believe that teachers need to make choices that are considerate of the maturity and adolescent development of the individual and of the class. At the same time, I am in favor of helping students self-select books that will meet their needs, challenge them, and nurture them in to more difficult and sensitive topics. As Matt de la Peña and Kate DiCamillo suggest in their recent exchange, their is probably a fine line between censorship (both self censorship and institutional) and being honest with kids. Artists, at every level, struggle to achieve and maintain their respective visions. in this week's post Jeff Kaplan address censorship once again. He is an expert in this area and has great insight about the history of how Young Adult literature has weathered the storms of censorship. He also has advice on how to fight off arbitrary objections from those who wish to control your choices as a professional. Do get me wrong, I think parents can and should be engaged in what their children are and should not be reading. On the other hand, I don't think they should make their choices for their children the mandate for others. Thanks for helping Jeff.

Jeff takes over.

“It's not just the books under fire now that worry me. It is the books that will never be written. The books that will never be read. And all due to the fear of censorship. As always, young readers will be the real losers.”    Judy Blume  source
Picture
In Judy Blume’s Censorship blog, she speaks openly and plainly about her initial fear that when she began writing her now world-renown and cherished classic young adult books – Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, Iggie’s House, Deenie, Forever, - she was afraid that because they spoke uncomfortable truths – about divorce, religion, race, sex and sexuality, - that no one would publish them. As she writes..

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
“When I began to write, thirty years ago, I didn't know if anyone would publish my books, but I wasn't afraid to write them. I was lucky. I found an editor and publisher who were willing to take a chance. They encouraged me. I was never told what I couldn't write. I felt only that I had to write the most honest books I could. It never occurred to me, at the time, that what I was writing was controversial. Much of it grew out of my own feelings and concerns when I was young.” http://www.judyblume.com/censorship.php

Today, we hardly recognize those fears – because we, as young adult enthusiasts have seen an explosion of books for adolescents that are filled with controversial topics – on possibly every conceivable topic. Indeed, adolescents and teachers can probably find a young adult book to address nearly every concern that teenagers (and adults) have when confronting the dilemma of the human condition.

Yet, young adult literature – controversial and non-controversial – does not exist in a vacuum. As you know, parents, educators, and concerned citizens alike are aware of the vast array of interest groups that are aligned and poised to ‘warn and prevent’ teenagers – and sometimes, adults – from reading material that they deem unsuitable for adolescent minds. And we, as educators – and just plain ‘book lovers’ must always confront such parties – wisely, carefully, and constructively – on how important it is, that in a free society, no matter how much we might disagree with the content of a book (or a play, or a movie, or a work of art), we – old and young alike – should enjoy the freedom to make our own choices about what we read and see.

That is the price of living in a democracy.

As the recent Chair (2015-17) of the National Council Teachers of English Standing Committee Against Censorship, I had the distinct pleasure of working with a group of dedicated individuals who were committed to making sure that adolescents were able to read books and materials – in school – of their own choosing. source

I also learned of the vast array of support groups that are dedicated to helping others with issues of censorship - no matter how small and obscure they might appear to be – for these special groups know, that it is often, the little concerns – concerns that often go unnoticed or overlooked – are the ones that matter in the fight to preserve and defend intellectual freedom.

The fight for intellectual freedom is not a fight that should be fought alone. When confronted with an issue of censorship – or just longing, to help this most worthwhile and noteworthy cause, - educators of all stripes should be aware of these vital advocacy groups.
National Council Teachers of English – Standing Committee Against Censorship

 As an NCTE committee, the NCTE Standing Committee Against Censorship serves as a resource for dealing with issues of censorship – and particularly, for teachers who face ‘book challenges’ in their respective schools. Not only does this committee discuss issues of censorship that arise around the country, they also promote policies for literature adoption, develop rationales for teaching controversial texts, and house the Intellectual Freedom Center, a central location dedicated to offering advice, documents, and support to teachers facing challenges in their classroom. 
National Coalition Against Censorship
         
​The National Coalition Against Censorship
has multiple purposes, but, primarily to assist students, teachers, librarians, parents and others opposing censorship in schools and libraries. One of the best websites for current information on issues of censorship and restriction of free speech – this organization is dedicated to the proposition that upholding the rights embodied in the First Amendment of the United States Constitution must be preserved and defended judiciously, fairly, and publically. Formed originally in 1973 – in response to the Supreme Court decision (Miller vs California) to narrow the First Amendment protections for sexual expression – this organization has one of the best list of resources to help advocates of free speech in every walk of life. 
International Literacy Association
             
The International Literacy Association
(formerly the International Reading Association) is a global advocacy organization of more than 300,000 literacy educators, researchers and experts across 78 countries, dedicated to empowering educators, inspire students, and encourage leaders with the resources they need to make literacy accessible to all. On their website, you can find a host of resources dealing with censorship issues – including a list of banned books; procedures to follow when books are challenged, and interviews with prominent young adult and children authors whose books have been censored.  More sources.
American Library Association

Founded on October 6, 1876 during the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, PA, the mission of the American Library Association is “to provide leadership for the development, promotion and improvement and library and information services and the professional of librarianship in order to enhance learning and to ensure access to information for all.” Housed on the ALA Office of Intellectual Freedom website are a host of informative resources on issues related to the defense of the First Amendment and censorship of children and adolescent reading. More sources.
Freedom to Read Foundation
           
The Freedom to Read Foundation (FTRF) is a non-profit legal and education organization, affiliated with the American Library Association, dedicated to protecting and defending the First Amendment to the US Constitution and supporting the right of libraries to collect – and individuals to access information. Incorporated in November, 1969, the Foundation’s work is divided into three primary areas –
  • Allocation and disbursement of grants to individuals and groups for aiding in litigation in issues involving censorship and/or access of information
  • Direct participation in litigation dealing with freedom of speech and of the press.
  • Education about the significance of libraries and the First Amendment.
The Freedom to Read Foundation website is a treasure trove of related resources to help individuals and groups involved in issues intellectual freedom and freedom of speech.
Banned Books Week

The Banned Books Week Coalition is a national alliance of diverse organizations, bound by their commitment to increase understanding and awareness of the ‘universal right to read.’ The Coalition is committed to engaging varied literacy communities and inspiring participation in the annual Banned Books Week through social advocacy programming about the problem of book censorship. Launched in 1982, the Coalition continues to sponsor a host of programs designed to highlight the First Amendment and to list the most current and controversial banned books in the United States.
The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund
​
The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund (CBLDF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting the First Amendment rights of those individuals who work in the comics medium industry. Since 1986, the CBLDF has paid for the legal defense of individuals whose Frist Amendment rights were threatened for making, selling and even reading comic books. The CBLDF also assists libraries in challenges to comics and graphic novels by securing letters of support, and access to resources to defend and promote graphic novels when they are under challenge by censors.
People for the American Way
     
People for the American Way
was founded in 1981 by legendary television and film producer Norman Lear, the late Congresswoman Barbara Jordan, and a group of business, civic, religious and civil rights leaders who were troubled by the divisive and angry rhetoric of newly minted and politicized televangelists. Dedicated to the promise of America’s freedoms – most notably, freedom of speech and freedom of religion – this organization promotes political causes dedicated to improving the lives of all. This website has an extensive collection of resources involving books that have been and/or are under current attack for troubling language, content and information.
Jeffrey Kaplan
Associate Professor Emeritus
University of Central Florida, Orlando
Jeffrey.Kaplan@ucf.edu
​
1 Comment
essayontime paper writing link
1/25/2018 09:41:26 pm

Freedom of speech is an important factor of our freedom in the country. We should have the right to practice it at any given time. Freedom of speech is our capability to express what we're thinking and feeling. If we're limited from what we can say, then we don't have any freedom of speech. We should join in the battle on fighting for our rights.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Dr. Gretchen Rumohr
    Chief Curator
    Gretchen Rumohr is a professor of English and department chair at Aquinas College, where she teaches writing and language arts methods.   She is also a Co-Director of the UNLV Summit on the Research and Teaching of Young Adult Literature. She lives with her four girls and a five-pound Yorkshire Terrier in west Michigan.

    Dr. Steve Bickmore
    ​Creator and Curator

    Dr. Bickmore is a Professor of English Education at UNLV. He is a scholar of Young Adult Literature and past editor of The ALAN Review and a past president of ALAN. He is a available for speaking engagements at schools, conferences, book festivals, and parent organizations. More information can be found on the Contact page and the About page.

    Co-Edited Books

    Archives

    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    June 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014

    Categories

    All
    Chris-lynch

    Blogs to Follow

    Ethical ELA
    nerdybookclub
    NCTE Blog
    yalsa.ala.org/blog/

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly