Happy Thanksgiving!!

As I put in two pumpkin pies and one pan of brownies into the oven this morning ( I am a believer on cooking.baking the day of, when I am going to serve to others!), I listened to this specific broadcast about Toni Morrison, on 1A.

I remembered a few years ago, reading in the newspaper, a Delaware politician writing an editorial on the “filth” that was considered Toni Morrison’s Bluest Eye. This politician went on to say how this should be banned from AP lists and all access to required reading for teens.

I will not mention the specific politician’s name, as in an era where it is easy to drop names to attack others, I think we need to learn how to critique ideas without attacking each other. I will be quick, I need to be on my way to Thanksgiving Day family in D.C., but this is pertinent enough to jot down before the ideas fade from my aging memory 🙂

If adults are to stick to the premise that students need to utilize research effectively and learn how to utilize news and discern using research properly to know what is true, what is false, etc., in this example I would expect that the very people critiquing, calling what they do not like or understand trash, jumping to remove or ban something they deem unworthy, BEFORE that stage and doing so publicly it seems the logical thing to do is research the subject of disdain, research a bit the context of this writing, and actually read the WHOLE subject before publicly jumping on the trash bandwagon. This seems logical but I think today it is equivalent to someone seeing a clip of something, be it facebook, Instagram, or anywhere and running with their first opinion and sense of judgement. This goes against everything we expect of students when they are to truly obtain an education. This is why the Freedom to Read Act in Delaware came to be, to give us time to examine, contemplate, and discuss/analyze what at first might hit us in a certain way.

I LOVED the comment in this podcast from Toni Morrison, her take on banning specific topics, books, authors, etc. was of interest. Interest in that there must be something this book, author, topic, etc was DOING to cause it to be banned, and THAT is DEFINITELY worthy of closer examination. I agree so so much – instead of trying to hide and shield people from controversial topics, I would like to think there is an educated public willing to examine and analyze the issue at hand rather than bury their head in the sand about it.

Also, the statement that some people/authors are not confident or strong enough to weather some topics that are brought/dredged up; authors that are worried about that, are depriving individuals of the topics that need to be addressed, that need to be seen or read about but know the status quo will try to cover those topics up are not allowing readers to truly see the world as it is. I definitely have to agree with that in some degree- as there are many different scenarios but the fact that Toni Morrison should ALSO be known. as an editor, that encouraged many authors to indeed write their stories when no one else was a majority doing so- her power as an editor was not just in editing lies of writing. It meant insuring stories were being published in a time when minorities were often told no one want to hear those stories.

Lies and false truths will only exist for periods- some long periods, others shorter. Yet the most important lessons that can be passed on to readers and listeners of all ages, keeping an open mind even when a topic hits you head on and discourages you, angers you, or doesn’t align with a philosophy you might hold- the willingness to take time to investigate/contemplate/consider? Priceless. In a world that WANTS everyone to make split decisions without thinking, the individuals that do push back and consider all aspects of a topic- again priceless.

I think it is amazing how the human mind is capable of making connections from thoughts, memories, and topics that might occur years ago, and how a certain recent topic, etc triggers that memory and new contemplations about it, potentially even changing you view or enhancing it. I think much can come from public and school librarians having the training that many underestimate in receiving, as well as educating the general public of the many roles a librarian today plays, if truly considered, given a chance, and explored by individuals themselves.

It has been said that one man’s trash is another’s treasure, but it is quite another thing to consider anything trash you might not full understand, consider, or contemplate. There is a difference, and this type of literacy is a huge step towards opening one’s mind to all possibilities regarding any topic, subject or issue in front of us. A lesson we can all understand and hold close as we should be thankful for living in a country that was based on having an opportunity to hear, understand, and act on all potential sides of an argument. Not acting on something by fear, narrow mindedness, or having limited resources to receive the whole length of information of any one topic.

“…to get to a place where you could love anything you chose – not to need permission for desire – well now, that was freedom.”

From Morrison’s novel Beloved.

Time to go, the over just buzzed and that means brownies and pumpkin pie are ready for my two hour trek on Thanksgiving. Much to be thankful for in light of so many stating there is much to be sorry about. Let’s do our best to convince others what can be versus what is – Happy Thanksgiving!