50 Shades of Grey or Common Core reading list?
The Common Core Standards (CCS) contain a suggested list of reading examples for teachers to use to determine the type of texts they should include in their class. These lists normally contain the appropriate genres of novels, poetry and drama. The CCS have added a new genre to the list, adult. Not young adult reading selections, but the X-rated, adult type that many would consider pornography. Think I’m joking?
Macey France published an article which explores a CCS suggested reading text called The Bluest Eyes. She includes all the excerpts that are of an inappropriate sexual nature for children to read. I’m not in the habits of posting soft porn on this site, so you’ll have to go here to read it http://politichicks.tv/column/warning-graphic-common-core-approved-child-pornography/#7Q1T6JZChaKJLHW2.99 .
She quotes the author’s intent in choosing her writing style.
“In fact, the author of the book, Morrison, says that she wanted the reader to feel as though they are a “co-conspirator” with the rapist. She took pains to make sure she never portrayed the actions as wrong in order to show how everyone has their own problems. She even goes as far as to describe the pedophilia, rape and incest “friendly,” “innocent,” and “tender.”
That’s all we need for children who struggle in society to distinguish right from wrong. Rape and pedophilia made to seem “friendly,” just what American students didn’t need. This is what happens when states relinquish their right to form educational standards. Keeping it local is one step to avoid conflicting messages in our students education.
I read The Bluest Eye in a public school in Indiana for an American literature class 20 years ago. It’s a Nobel Prize winning novel for a reason, and I believe it is still required reading at that school today.
I believe the criteria of being a Nobel Prize winning novel should be considered in choosing texts for students. However, it doesn’t stand alone. If the material is inappropriate for children, no award should outweigh the consequences of exposing them to novels which contain this material, nobel award or not.
The beauty of state standards is that a state or community can strip the list of inappropriate texts. Under Common Core this decision is out of our hands and harder to get rid of. Keeping it local makes it easier to fix problems.
How sick
How sad that our children are being taught that pornography, pedophilia, and rape are acceptable and celebrated. Toni Morrison wants the reader to IDENTIFY with the perp, and see the abuse as FRIENDLY?!?!?! What about children who are victims of these indecent acts, and they read it’s OK? How low can we go in our society in the name of “literature”? I am absolutely disgusted and outraged. I don’t know why our precious God puts up with us.
no comment
This is what we get by letting the Liberals run the education system.
I have a simple test – if a person of common sense were to read the text and imagine it as a Hollywood Movie, using the exact imagery and vocabulary, what would the movie be rated? If it is above PG, then you have no right to assign it to a class BEFORE asking parental permission. What do schools do – they assign it first, make it part of the curriculum, and then “notify” parents at best. Often they only “apologize” afterward if they get caught. I doubt this means the teacher failed to read it first, I think it is an agenda.
Bottom line, you assign my kid pornography to read without first telling me your doing it – I’m charging you for solicitation of a minor, sexual assault. What would the school do if they found out a father was sneaking his 13 year old daughter into X rated movies or watching porn videos with her at home? They would send in CPS to take away the kid wouldn’t they? Yes they would.