The Absolutely True Diary of Real-Time Book Censorship
Another day, another attempted book banning.
In February 2014, a grandparent in Meridian, Idaho filed a formal complaint with the school district against including Sherman Alexie’s multiple-award winning YA novel The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian in curriculum being taught to sophomores in a public high school. (The grandparent apparently took issue with the “cursing and sexual references” in Alexie’s highly acclaimed story about the life of a modern Native American teen.)
The complaint led to a public meeting of the school board on April 1st to discuss the issue and ultimately vote on whether or not to keep the book, which has been on “hold” since February, as part of the school’s supplemental curriculum.
This is not the first time Alexie’s work has been on the chopping block (you can read just a couple of examples here and here), and I’m sure it won’t be the last, but it IS the first time I saw with my very own eyes this kind of book censorship unfold in real time – thanks to a librarian on Twitter who believes in the power of public discourse.
Gretchen Caserotti, a public library director in Meridian, attended the meeting and tweeted the proceedings as they occurred. The result is (in my opinion) a fascinating and chilling snapshot of the decisions that go into the attempted banning of a book and an important exhibition of the kinds of problems that librarians, teachers, and others face when fighting censorship.
My thanks to Gretchen for allowing me to compile and post her tweets about the meeting. Here they are in order (I also suggest that you view her timeline from that night for yourself for the most complete picture possible):
School Board hearing on requiring parent signature to read Ab Tru Diary (Alexie) #newdirector #censorship https://t.co/hUasGW0LjG
— gretchen caserotti (@gcaserotti) April 1, 2014
Roughly half the room raised hands have actually read the book.
— gretchen caserotti (@gcaserotti) April 2, 2014
Public comments closed. Superintendent explaining how book is bing used (supplemental, not required). Mult books chosen so parent can optout
— gretchen caserotti (@gcaserotti) April 2, 2014
If parental opt out, school wld give them reviews/sources freely avail on internet.
— gretchen caserotti (@gcaserotti) April 2, 2014
Can the school come up w a strategy to meet both parties – crowd starting to shout at the Board.
— gretchen caserotti (@gcaserotti) April 2, 2014
Superintendent believes they can craft a compromise. Book can remain supplemental not discussion book.
— gretchen caserotti (@gcaserotti) April 2, 2014
The unit is on Cultures & subcultures & this is only book on Native Americans. Very few requests to add new titles to the list each year
— gretchen caserotti (@gcaserotti) April 2, 2014
Trustee: Lexile range is 600 so below 6th gr reading level wish another book at higher level avail 4 HS
— gretchen caserotti (@gcaserotti) April 2, 2014
Superintendent: many books on list on list before Lexiles. Trustee: if on list, assumed safe for class use so prefers not 2 b on list at all
— gretchen caserotti (@gcaserotti) April 2, 2014
One trustee is former librarian speaking to value of a book boys might read & love. But vacillating on decision.
— gretchen caserotti (@gcaserotti) April 2, 2014
Grandmother *almost* removed for speaking out of order.
— gretchen caserotti (@gcaserotti) April 2, 2014
Call for motion. Motion to remove from list but so far no second. Does for lack of 2nd. Call for new motion.
— gretchen caserotti (@gcaserotti) April 2, 2014
Motion to uphold recommendation to keep on list but permission slip from parent & provide more info on book. Then explore new book in place
— gretchen caserotti (@gcaserotti) April 2, 2014
Question: can we leave on hold & let teachers look for a new book & come back for next school year plans to give time
— gretchen caserotti (@gcaserotti) April 2, 2014
One trustee doesn't want to remove the book but wants another title option. Request for clarity in motion.
— gretchen caserotti (@gcaserotti) April 2, 2014
Motion to leave book on list with no permission required. No second. Motion dies.
— gretchen caserotti (@gcaserotti) April 2, 2014
New motion to keep hold on it 4 this yr & look 4 replacement w higher Lexile & reeval whole list pic.twitter.com/zwyxdF6Btt
— gretchen caserotti (@gcaserotti) April 2, 2014
Currently a hold prohibiting any teacher from using the book pending reconsideration process.
— gretchen caserotti (@gcaserotti) April 2, 2014
Second on motion. Call for vote. Only one opposed & motion carries.
— gretchen caserotti (@gcaserotti) April 2, 2014
So that's it. The book will not be taught in class.
— gretchen caserotti (@gcaserotti) April 2, 2014
Well, there you have it. While a motion to ban the novel outright did not pass, it’s still being held in a sort of censorship “limbo,” according to the Idaho Education News. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian might in fact get reinstated if district teachers are able to find an “appropriate substitute” (however that is actually defined). But until then, sorry, Mr. Alexie. Sorry, librarians and teachers. And most of all…sorry, teens of Meridian.
