Our Black Holes and Revelations

Let's face it. The world is a sensitive place filled with sensitive people. It may not be you, it may not be me, but some people just take everything the wrong way. This includes some of the greatest art, theories, literature, and sexual positions that have been banned over the course of history. Even though we've grown very quickly as a society, the ittiest, bittiest comment or insult still gets blown out of proportion by those people. Well, lighten up and get over it. These are the 6 Most Disputed Books of 2007 and Why They Shouldn't Be.

6. The Color Purple (1983) by Alice Walker
Reasons for Dispute: Physical, sexual, mental abuse of a child, offensive language, graphic violence, and homosexuality.
What Disputers Don't Get: The book, set in the early 1900s, shows what African Americans had to struggle through in the sunrise of their independent years. The language and violence put the reader in a place to not only imagine, but become part of these struggles that black Americans had to go through. The disputers claim all these reasons for dispute make the novel inappropriate for high school students. Well, high school students, before they move on to college or the working environment, need to know that the world isn't all peaches and cream. Bad shit happens, and in this case, and it happens for no reason. It's offensive to think that people don't understand that these controversial themes are to show the reader that the plight of the African American in our history should be offensive to all those who even have an ancestor who took part in it.
Banned Anywhere? Despite all the controversy, it's not banned anywhere since its historical fiction and is really only heavily disputed in America.

5. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1884) by Mark Twain
Reasons for Dispute: Racial Prejudice, Segregation, Lynching, and Language.
What Disputers Don't Get: Again, these people just can't read between the lines. Twain's book is a satire on American society at the time he wrote it. Throughout the story, Huck and "n*gg*r" Jim run into lynchers, drunkards, thieves, murderers and all sorts of delinquents that are all white. Jim's character is ironic as he's really the only moral character, yet looked down upon by society. It's a story where ideas and perceptions of blacks are so ingrained in Huck's mind, that it's hard for him to see Jim as an equal person. But, in the end, heart wins out over perception. However, since the "n" word is used in the novel, people immediately jump all over it like Michael Jackson on a 8-year old at Disney World.
Banned Anywhere? It was initially banned by some libraries in America upon it's publishing but due to its cultural importance, its only a subject of stupid parents at PTA meetings.

4. The Golden Compass also known as Northern Lights (1995) by Phillip Pullman
Reasons for Dispute: Rejection of Religion, abuse of power in Catholicism.
What Disputers Don't Get: Unlike the last two which I've read, I have yet to read this book. Although, I do know that the underlying themes of the books are not actually rejections of religion and criticism of the Catholic Church (although they are a part of it), but to stand up to authority and make your own choices. Don't be confined to something that you don't think is right just because that's what you've been born with. As Christian figures have condemned and called for the book to be censored, they are actually proving Pullman's point: that religious views are one-sided and often dismiss or condemn any views that aren't their own. God knows I've been critical of religion for this exact point (we won't get into that) and Pullman's book shows, without even reading it, that religion won't except any criticism, even though its far from perfect (or true for that matter).
Banned Anywhere? Banned in many schools and some libraries due to the anti-catholic and anti-religious views of the author. God forbid Christians think for themselves or get a different viewpoint.

3. Olive's Ocean (2003) by Kevin Henkes
Reasons for Dispute: Offensive Language and Sexual situations
What Disputers Don't Get: I don't get this one at all, since its a young adult novel that I haven't read. From what I understand, is that the book is being disputed because junior high schools are assigning it and there is some naughty language. Oh, no! Alert the presses! It's not like your kids haven't ever heard a rap song or seen TV after 7:30 pm. The story is about a 14-year old girl who is writing a book about a girl who just died who wants to be friends with her. The "sexual situation" resides in a boy filming them kissing and using that for a scene in his movie. Whatever, this is just dumb. The book, which is about growing up, is given to kids growing up. Don't parents have anything better to worry about than a book like this? Absolutely pathetic.
Banned Anywhere? Christ no! That would be almost as shocking as if the Devil Rays were in first place at the end of May in the AL East. Wait....What's that you say? They are in first? And they are the Rays now? Well, fuck me and tell me I've got gonorrhea.

2. The Chocolate War(1974) by Robert Cormier
Reasons for Dispute: Language, sexual situation, coercions and violence by a secret high school society
What Disputers Don't Get: A common young adult novel, people don't get that under the violence, sexuality, and language the book is about being true to yourself. The characters defiance of a societal group's demands is to say to not be a conformist just to fit in. The fact that his defiance is celebrated and makes him a hero says to young adults to just be yourself and unique, it's what makes you you. The violence at the end shows that not everyone's gonna like it. I don't understand why such a influential book on young adults would be as disputed as this, since its message is a really important one to give to youngsters at this age. Maybe because it encourages fat kids to buy chocolate or something.
Banned Anywhere? No, sir, the novel has been deemed as very important piece of literature for young adults (and rightfully so), except for the few crazy moms complaining to the school board.

1. And Tango Makes Three(2005) by Peter Parnell
Reasons for Dispute: Religious viewpoints, homosexuality, anti-family, sexism, anti-ethnicity, and unsuitable for age group.
What Disputers Don't Get: The book follows the true story of two male penguins who raised a younger penguin in a New York City zoo as a "couple". (The two penguins never had sex). The books message isn't that homosexual couples are better, mixed marriages are worse, or anything to do with religious views, but rather to be understanding of differences of our families or people we know. A lesson that is very important to learn, especially at a young age. It has nothing to do with being gay or straight, but to accept people for who they are, especially since non-traditional families are more common nowadays. What's ironic about the controversy is that adults, who are trying to get the book banned for these themes, are probably the ones who should be actually reading it.
Banned Anywhere? Banned in Shiloh, Illinois; Charlotte, North Carolina; Loudon County, Virginia. In non-fiction section in all of Missouri.


Hoped you enjoyed my list about controversial books. And silly you thought this country was above censorship. If you learn anything in life, learn this: nothing is free, not even freedom. It just proves once again that America is a country full of prudes. Can't we just learn to swear, fuck, drink, and relax a bit? It makes me extremely jealous of Europe to see how laid back it is there and how uptight it is here. Oh well, what are you gonna do. (Move to Ireland!) Anyway, to close out my latest blog, here is a good bit from Jimmy Kimmel about ridiculous censorship. Enjoy and au revoir.