A Conservative councillor has sparked outrage after he tried to ban a novel from his local school's reading list. The book in question is Angie Thomas's bestseller "The Hate U Give", which deals with themes of racism and police brutality. However, it seems that the issue at hand is not the content of the book itself, but rather the councillor's own discomfort with its portrayal of difficult social issues.
James Farquharson, a former councillor who has objected to having his novel "Pigeon English" by Stephen Kelman on the school's reading list, appears to be trying to censor literature that could help students engage with complex topics and empathise with different perspectives. His objections are based on concerns about profane language and depictions of violence, but they seem to ignore the fact that these elements serve a purpose in the story - namely, to illustrate the harsh realities faced by some individuals.
The author of "Pigeon English", Stephen Kelman, argues that his novel provides students with an opportunity to engage with difficult content and develop critical thinking skills. He points out that many students have told him that the book has helped them feel seen and understood, and that it has sparked important discussions about social justice and empathy.
Kelman also draws a parallel between the reactions of some readers who are offended by his work and those who reacted to Caravaggio's painting "Madonna di Loreto", which depicted the feet of peasants worshiping Christ. He argues that both cases highlight the tension between artistic expression and prudish sensitivities, and suggests that we should be more open to exploring difficult subjects in literature.
Ultimately, Kelman believes that reading books that challenge our assumptions and make us uncomfortable is essential for personal growth and empathy. By exposing students to diverse perspectives and ideas, teachers can help them develop a deeper understanding of the world and its complexities.
The incident highlights a broader issue - the tendency to avoid discomfort and difficult conversations in an effort to maintain social cohesion or avoid controversy. However, as Kelman notes, this approach can have the opposite effect, leading to desensitisation to the suffering of others and a lack of empathy.
Schools play a critical role in fostering empathy and critical thinking skills, particularly among young people. By providing students with access to literature that challenges their assumptions and encourages them to think critically about social issues, teachers can help shape a more informed and compassionate generation.
James Farquharson, a former councillor who has objected to having his novel "Pigeon English" by Stephen Kelman on the school's reading list, appears to be trying to censor literature that could help students engage with complex topics and empathise with different perspectives. His objections are based on concerns about profane language and depictions of violence, but they seem to ignore the fact that these elements serve a purpose in the story - namely, to illustrate the harsh realities faced by some individuals.
The author of "Pigeon English", Stephen Kelman, argues that his novel provides students with an opportunity to engage with difficult content and develop critical thinking skills. He points out that many students have told him that the book has helped them feel seen and understood, and that it has sparked important discussions about social justice and empathy.
Kelman also draws a parallel between the reactions of some readers who are offended by his work and those who reacted to Caravaggio's painting "Madonna di Loreto", which depicted the feet of peasants worshiping Christ. He argues that both cases highlight the tension between artistic expression and prudish sensitivities, and suggests that we should be more open to exploring difficult subjects in literature.
Ultimately, Kelman believes that reading books that challenge our assumptions and make us uncomfortable is essential for personal growth and empathy. By exposing students to diverse perspectives and ideas, teachers can help them develop a deeper understanding of the world and its complexities.
The incident highlights a broader issue - the tendency to avoid discomfort and difficult conversations in an effort to maintain social cohesion or avoid controversy. However, as Kelman notes, this approach can have the opposite effect, leading to desensitisation to the suffering of others and a lack of empathy.
Schools play a critical role in fostering empathy and critical thinking skills, particularly among young people. By providing students with access to literature that challenges their assumptions and encourages them to think critically about social issues, teachers can help shape a more informed and compassionate generation.
. Like, what's the point of even having a library if you're not gonna challenge people's perspectives? 
This book is about real-life struggles and injustices that need to be talked about. By censoring it, he's basically telling kids that their voices don't matter or that they can't handle uncomfortable truths 
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If he's okay with kids reading a novel that's similar in tone to "The Hate U Give", then why is he trying to ban it? It just feels like he's more concerned with being popular and not rocking the boat, rather than doing what's best for his community 
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. We should be encouraging them to think for themselves, not shielding them from uncomfortable truths 
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what's up with this councillor man?! trying to ban books from schools because they make him uncomfortable is so not cool 
. like, if we're really gonna tackle racism and police brutality, we gotta be willing to have some tough conversations 
. I mean, "The Hate U Give" isn't just about a black girl's story, it's about the system that's broken 
. Schools are supposed to be places where kids are challenged to think critically and empathize with others, not sheltered from the harsh realities of life 
. we need more people like him advocating for our rights to read and learn 
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. Like what's wrong with exploring tough topics? It's not gonna hurt anyone, it'll actually help ppl understand each other better 
. I think the author is spot on in saying we should be more open to discussing difficult subjects in literature. It's all about personal growth and empathy, right? 
We can't just ignore or downplay issues like racism and police brutality, we need to face them head-on and have real conversations about 'em 
. Censoring books is just a cop-out and it's unfair to students who need that kind of education 
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come on guy what's next gonna be banning books by Toni Morrison or Gabriel Garcia Marquez? like seriously who gets offended by some profane language and violence in "The Hate U Give"? the kid wrote about her own experiences with racism and police brutality, you can't just erase that. schools should be teaching kids how to think critically not sugarcoat everything for their feelings. 
. Newsflash: the only way we'll ever create real change is by facing our differences head-on, not running away from them 
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. I mean, who doesn't want their kids to grow up thinking critically about social justice and empathy? It's like we're afraid of being too open-minded and inclusive 
. But, have you guys ever noticed how some books just get banned or challenged without anyone really thinking about the impact? I mean, what if we were reading more books like "Pigeon English" instead of avoiding them altogether? Just food for thought 
it's like he wants students to be oblivious to the struggles of others 
they need to be exposed to different perspectives and ideas 
schools should be a safe space for discussions and debates about social justice 
"The Hate U Give" by Angie Thomas is an important book that helps students understand different experiences and empathize with others 
it's not just a story, it's a way to spark conversations and raise awareness about social issues 
teachers are the ones who can help shape a generation of compassionate and informed young people 
they should be supporting students in exploring complex topics, not trying to silence them 
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. We need books like "Pigeon English" to help kids develop critical thinking skills and see the world from different perspectives 
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I think schools should definitely be exploring difficult topics with students, but in a way that's not just about censoring certain books. It's all about sparking conversations and encouraging critical thinking.
. Newsflash, councillor dude: it's called growing up and learning to navigate the complexities of life. We need books that challenge our assumptions and make us uncomfortable - it's how we become empathetic and informed humans 
. We need to be talking about these issues, not avoiding them or censoring literature 
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