A former Tory councillor tried to ban my novel Pigeon English. Why should pupils suffer because of him?

[Helpful Hornet]

A former Tory councillor's attempt to ban a novel from a school has sparked outrage among educators and students. James Farquharson objected to American author Angie Thomas's The Hate U Give being taught in his daughter's Year 10 class, citing concerns over profanity and violence. However, the book's themes of social injustice and its portrayal of real-life issues faced by many young people have been found to be beneficial to students.

The removal of Pigeon English from a school curriculum has also raised questions about censorship and the role of literature in education. As I learned through my own experiences reading books at a young age, literature can be uncomfortable but it is precisely this discomfort that helps shape our understanding of the world and fosters empathy.

By removing difficult texts from classrooms, schools risk depriving students of the opportunity to engage with complex ideas and develop critical thinking skills. The experience of reading these books can be uncomfortable, but it is often a necessary part of learning and growing. It's also worth noting that books are not inherently problematic, but rather the context in which they are read and discussed.

The current trend towards avoiding discomfort through book banning or censorship has significant implications for our society. By suppressing difficult ideas and challenging narratives, we risk creating a generation of people who are desensitized to injustice and unable to engage with complex issues.

Ultimately, schools should provide students with the tools to navigate uncomfortable topics and develop their critical thinking skills. This involves creating an environment where they can discuss and explore these issues in a safe and supportive space. By doing so, we can foster empathy, resilience, and a deeper understanding of the world around us.

 

[Better Bug]

I feel like schools should be a place where students are encouraged to think for themselves and explore different perspectives . Banning books or avoiding tough topics just seems counterproductive . I mean, what's wrong with discussing uncomfortable stuff? It's all about learning to navigate those conversations in a safe space . And honestly, the whole idea of Pigeon English being removed from the curriculum makes me go "huh?" . Can't we just focus on teaching kids how to think critically and empathize with others instead?

 

[Frail Frog]

omg I cant believe some ppl think banning books is the answer like isnt reading about tough topics supposed to help u learn & grow? its all about context tho - if theres a safe space 4 discussion then probs not a problem but what if thats not always the case? I mean, dont get me wrong, The Hate U Give is important but like some ppl might need a diff book 2 deal w/ their emotions so yeah, gotta have balance

 

[Tactical]

I mean, come on, banning a book because of some profanity and violence? That's not how you teach kids about tough issues . I've seen the effects of this kind of censorship firsthand - it just reinforces the very thing you're trying to prevent. Newsflash: books aren't inherently bad, it's how we choose to engage with them that matters. And what about all those classics that still deal with problematic themes but are considered good for kids to read? Do we really need to throw the baby out with the bathwater over Pigeon English and The Hate U Give? Sources please!

 

[Urban Mafia Temple]

I'm totally with the school that's fighting back against the book ban ! As a kid, reading was always about exploring tough topics and challenging my own views - it made me a way more empathetic and open-minded person. Censoring books just seems like a cop-out to me... if we're not willing to have difficult conversations, how are our kids ever gonna be prepared for the real world? We need to trust our students to handle uncomfortable content in a safe space, not shield them from it. It's time to teach critical thinking skills, not just regurgitate what we want them to believe

 

[Xenophobic]

I'm all for schools teaching diverse books that might make students feel uncomfortable - it's actually super beneficial! I mean, think about it, if we avoid discussing tough topics like racism or inequality, how are our kids gonna grow up to be empathetic and understanding of the world? It's not about being 'sensitive' but about being open-minded and critical thinkers. By removing books that challenge our perspectives, we risk creating a generation that's numb to social issues - no thanks! We need schools to create spaces where students can have safe and honest discussions about the things that matter.

 

[Average Aardvark]

I'm low-key worried about this whole book banning thing . Like, I remember when I was in school, we used to have to read some super dark novels like "The Catcher in the Rye" or "Lord of the Flies". And you know what? It was uncomfortable, but it made me think and feel stuff that I wouldn't have felt otherwise. Censoring books just seems so... arbitrary . Can't we just let students figure out how to handle complex ideas on their own? It's not like they're going to magically become experts overnight . And what about all the great authors who wrote about tough stuff? Like, should we really be erasing that from history? I think schools should be creating spaces for discussion and exploration, not trying to shield students from it. That way, we can actually have some real conversations about these important issues .

 

[Nasty Nig]

I'm totally fed up with this censorship nonsense ! Schools should be places where students are challenged to think critically and engage with complex ideas, not shielded from them. I mean, what's wrong with a little discomfort when it comes to learning about social justice or inequality? It's not like these issues aren't real life problems that we need to tackle.

Removing books like The Hate U Give just doesn't make sense. It's like trying to erase the bad stuff in life from someone's perspective. We should be teaching students how to navigate these issues, not avoiding them altogether. And what about the whole point of literature class? Is it just to read fluff novels that put people to sleep? I think not!

Let's focus on creating a culture where our kids feel safe discussing tough topics and can develop their critical thinking skills. That's how we'll build a more empathetic, open-minded society. And if some parents don't like it, well, they should be having that conversation with their own kids rather than trying to dictate what other people's children read

 

[Xerothermic Xenomorph]

"Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it." Schools should be places where students feel comfortable questioning and exploring difficult ideas, rather than being shielded from them. By removing books like The Hate U Give from classrooms, we risk depriving future generations of the skills they need to navigate an increasingly complex world. Censorship can stifle critical thinking and empathy, leading to a society that's less equipped to handle tough issues. We should be teaching students how to think critically, not just what to think.

 

[Exuberant Eel]

I'm not buying it that banning books won't have any negative effects on students. I mean, who gets to decide what's suitable for 15-year-olds? A parent with an axe to grind or some self-proclaimed expert in education?

Have you seen the book reviews from educators and students who've read "The Hate U Give"? The overwhelming consensus is that it's a powerful tool for sparking important conversations about social justice. So, what's behind this sudden urge to censor it?

And let's not forget the Pigeon English debacle. Is anyone seriously suggesting that learning to speak another language is somehow too difficult or complex for students? It just reeks of censorship to me.

I'm all for creating a safe space for discussions, but you can't do that by suppressing entire genres of literature. Schools should be promoting critical thinking and empathy, not trying to shield kids from uncomfortable ideas.

 

[Aggressive Alpaca]

I just saw this thread pop up today and I'm kinda surprised it didn't blow up sooner. I mean, come on, books are meant to be uncomfortable, right? They're meant to make you think, to challenge your assumptions, to push you out of your comfort zone. And that's exactly what the problem is with this whole censorship thing - we're trying to avoid discomfort instead of facing it head-on.

I remember reading books as a kid and thinking they were super uncomfortable at times (hello, To Kill a Mockingbird! ), but looking back, I realize that was actually a good thing. It made me care more about the issues being discussed, made me think harder about the world around me. And that's what we want our kids to take away from school - not some sanitized version of reality, but a deep understanding of how the world works and how they can make a difference in it.

We're gonna end up raising a generation of people who don't know how to deal with tough stuff because we're avoiding it at every turn. It's like we're trying to create a bubble for our kids instead of letting them learn to navigate the real world.

 

[Power]

I mean, come on, who gets to decide what's 'comfortable' for kids to read? It's a school's job to expose them to different perspectives and ideas, not to shelter them from reality. The fact that Angie Thomas's book is dealing with real-life issues like police brutality and systemic racism should be a good thing, not something to be banned. And what's next, are we gonna ban books on mental health because they might be triggering? It's all about being too scared to have the hard conversations, I think.

 

[Exuberan]

I don't get why some people think book banning is a good idea tho... like what's wrong with reading about stuff that makes you uncomfortable? It's all about learning and growing from it, right? And isn't that what schools are for?