Parents objected to novel, writing assignment (offended some Native American parents)

okit ^

[weegee]

Actually the original word in the song was "injuns" which was replaced with "indians" (at least I've seen it both ways on the 'net). Excepting that change, these could easily be thought to be boys from India, it doesn't change the nature of the song. It's still sexist because it doesn't mention girls in the primary role (the 10 who are counted)!

[patriciaruth]

You are demonstrating contempt for the American ideals of freedom and liberty.

Because I don't think children should be taught to sing, "Eenie, meenie, minee, moe, catch a nigger by the toe?"

[patriciaruth]

You'd get rid of Mark Twain?

What part of Mark Twain is racist? I remembering him chronicling our nation as it existed, and I also remember him writing some very poignant scenes with Jim in Huck Finn that indicated to me that Twain saw the inhumanity of slavery and racism.

But I believe I was commenting on teaching racist jingles to children, not in depriving adolescents or adults of world literature.

P.S. to Scott. As much as I have enjoyed reading dozens of Agatha Christie mysteries, I don't kid myself that she can be classified as "world literature."

[R. Scott]

No, I wouldn’t put the Agatha Christie mysteries in the World Class category either – it was popular literature intended for the masses.

[savedbygrace]

No, because you want to BAN any books that contain offensive material. Nobody said anything about teaching kids the rhymes. We just don't think the American concepts of freedom and liberty match up real well with book banning.

Maybe the concept is too complex for you to understand.

[patriciaruth]

because you want to BAN any books that contain offensive material.

You have misunderstood me. Perhaps by expressing my distaste for racist jingles and teaching racist jingles to children, I have led you falsely to believe that; but you have misinterpreted my statements.

[patriciaruth]

popular literature intended for the masses

And I read and enjoyed dozens of her books. However, I can't see what would lead someone to believe they should be used as the basis of a school assignment for children, when the libraries are full of much more enlightening fare.

[Sandy]

Banned from US textbooks: owls, ketchup, dinosaurs and old ladies with cats

[savedbygrace]

Well, here's exactly what you said:

I think it would be a good thing to bury forever the jingle "One little, two little, three little Indians" and all the rest of the racist childhood lore of our past.
For those who want to preserve the our history so we can learn from it, the texts could be placed in the Smithsonian or the Iraqi Museum and children could happily grow up without it.

Explain how this isn't saying you want to ban these books. This ought to be interesting to hear.

[R. Scott]

To understand literature, we can not limit ourselves to only the highbrow tomes, but also to the literature of the masses.
Much that has been written is for entertainment – as with most of the mystery genre. To force school kids to suffer through endless assignments on the “House of Seven Gables”, “Great Expectations” etc. would be viewed as cruel punishment by many. Why not toss something relaxing and enjoyable in the mix? It just might start some kid to reading just for the fun of it.

[patriciaruth]

Why not toss something relaxing and enjoyable in the mix? It just might start some kid to reading just for the fun of it.

I am sure there are fun books for kids that don't contain racist jingles.

[patriciaruth]

As I said, you have taken my statement to extreme interpretation because I did not write a tome explaining my views.

I'm not in favor of giving pornography to children....does that mean I'm in favor of banning books? Are you in favor of giving pornography to children because you don't want to ban books?

There is nothing I can do to stop you teaching racist jingles to your children if you want. All I can do is stand up for the fact that some God-fearing conservatives do not believe it should be condoned.

[savedbygrace]

patriciaruth, you seem to have a reading comprehension problem. I posted earlier that nobody was talking about teaching racist rhymes to children. Now you tune right around and accuse me of doing exactly that.

You are confusing two issues, teaching children and banning books. And, BTW, it isn't a stretch at all to conclude from your first post that you are advocating the banning of these books you find offensive. You used the word "buried" rather than "banned", but you'll have to explain for us how your statement DOESN'T mean you want to ban them.

If you choose not to explain this, then I'm through with this thread. I'm not going to continue to chase you as you run away from your own statements.

[R. Scott]

I wasn’t aware that the book contained any racist jingles. The new name of the book was taken from a jingle – but it’s not in the book.

[patriciaruth]

their children were given an assignment requiring them to read and answer questions about the poem “Ten Little Indians”, as part of an English class. Mystery writer Agatha Christie contains the poem in the novel “And Then There Were None”.

You are probably right that the jingle was not in the book, and this report in the article is probably wrong.

News reporters don't care about accuracy in reporting.

[patriciaruth]

Oh, good, yes, let's be through with this discussion. You and I can perhaps have another discussion at a much later date when you have learned how to speak to others without ill will in heart. I am still learning that, too.

[R. Scott]

The problem I see with reporters today is that they have little experience outside of commercial reporting. They are educated in journalism and possibly acting or broadcasting.
Back when we had real reporters, they usually had real world experience and were educated – then they drifted into reporting. Now all that’s needed is a journalism degree, a pretty face and stage presence.