A Mini-Rant on Censorship

So they’re out there again. Or, more specifically, one of them is out there again. (Oh, but we know that, on any given day, it’s never just one.) I’m not going into details, but read Laurie Halse Anderson’s post about the labeling of her beautiful book Speak, as pornography.

Heads up: There is nothing profound in this post. There is nothing new. There is just me, not feeling particularly tolerant today, and wanting say a few things YET AGAIN to anyone who would censor or judge a book in such a way that creates a barrier between that book and even one child. I know I’m preaching to the converted here, but here’s what I WANT to say to people who take it upon themselves to makes rules for books and readers.

• Get over it.
• Grow up.
• Mind your own business.
• Feel free to not read the book yourself.
• Put your hate back in your own head, and keep your mouth shut so it doesn’t fall out again.
• Give some credit to every thinking child, parent, and librarian who picks up a book, to read or share, for HAVING A BRAIN OF THEIR OWN.
• Go away.