You are currently browsing the monthly archive for January 2009.
My blogroll has remained pretty constant (aka stagnant) since I begin this blog. I have my favorites and keep finding new favorites that I should add.
So over the next few weeks I’ll be updating, adding, and perhaps removing links.
Here’s one I’ve known about since I began blogging and kept meaning to add in: The Concertina Award site. Every year I post a notice about their awards…this will (I hope) save me time.
Check it out.
The 2009 Concertina Awards for outstanding videojournalism.
By the way…which of the following is the CORRECT way to spell the damn word?
Video Journalism video journalism
Video-Journalism video-journalism
VideoJournalism videojournalism
We really should come up with a standard cause some days it wrecks havoc with web searches.
An editorial in the Modesto Bee reveals more on the continuing saga of a struggle to ban the book “Bless Me, Ultima” from required reading at a high school in Newman, California.
Come on guys…play by the rules. I can understand community standards and allowing parental input. But it appears that the administrators and board in the district are ignoring their own protocol.
While I thoroughly disagree with books banning, it shouldn’t be this difficult. By the way, the main reason this came to my attention was not complaints about the banning – but about how the process was ignored.
Oh – and does this same parent (singular) who wants to act as a censor for every other child in the district carefully monitor all TV shows, video games, movies, songs, and every friend her child makes? Because there’s a whole lotta stuff out there that is far worse than “Bless Me, Ultima.” And without the life lessons that child could learn from this book.
On a happier note, “Bless Me” is one hot book at the school, where more students are checking it out (due to the contraversy) than ever.
Check out this cartoon from Baby Blues, which might help you make the connection with how censorship can motivate people to seek the truth.
(copyright Baby Blues 1/8/09)
“Bless Me, Ultima” may gain an even wider audience after last night’s special meeting by the Newman-Crows Landing School Board. I’ve been following this story with interest because it is relatively close (unfortunately more than an hour drive or I would have gone to the meeting) and the issue is one that touches us all: book bannings. So I’ve had to rely on the local press down there as well as TV reports and some input from folks who attended the meeting.
Let me state that I understand the right of communities to draw the line and define who they are within reason. I do not agree with the rights of many being purged a complaint by one or two. Especially if there are alternatives – and in this case there were.
Apparently this entire process began with one parent’s complaint. Supporters of the book, including English teachers at Orestima High School who teach using the book, were the majority in the crowd at the meeting (according to media reporters) and only one person spoke out against the book.
This past weekend I stepped out of my role as a journalist and sent an email to Dr. Richard Fauss, superintendent of the Newman-Crows Landing School District, in support of the book and explaining why I thought it should not be banned. Dr. Fauss replied, but has asked that his response not go in the blog. I honestly wish he would allow this because even though I may disagree with him, we need to hear from all sides without deriding them. Some of his comments were eye-openers and well worth considering.
If you want to learn more, go to the Modesto Bee or Fox 40 news.
Newman, California
In previous posts such as this one and this one I’ve discussed a potential book banning in the small rural town of Newman, here in the great central valley of California.
The book, “Bless Me, Ultima,” contains some language and concepts that ONE PERSON found offensive, so now school superintendent Richard Fauss is pushing to ban the book from the list of approved district reading materials.
Here’s your opportunity to attend an actual book banning meeting!
In a comment left on the blog a few days ago, a very concerned citizen wrote the following:
If only the dust had settled, unfortanely, the school board is just now getting into the mix. There will be a “special meeting” (on January 5 @ 6:30 @ the McConnell Education Center next to Von Renner Elem. School) for the public to comment on this issue.
We need all the help we can get to prevent this lovely novel from being pulled from the curriculum at the high school. PLEASE help us spread the word…sign the guestbook at http://www.bookbansarebad.com and/or send an email to the superintendent at RFauss@nclusd.k12.ca.us
Thanks for your help!!
So if you have the time and inclination, go down and get a front row seat.
Oh – and take a copy of “Bless Me, Ultima” AND “Fahrenheit 451″ with ya to pass the time.
Note added 2/3/09 @ 4:40pm: Dr. Fauss responded to an email I sent to him, explaining his job thus far has been to listen to what others have to say, then make recommendations based on what is best for students.
Three cheers for Uncle Jay!
And his year end review of the news.
News doesn’t have to be somber to be relevant….
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