Long ago, I taught high school in Ogden. I was alarmed to learn that public schools in Utah have been ordered to remove certain books from school libraries, like those by respected writers Judy Blume, Margaret Atwood and others.
In our day, a great many adults spend little or no time reading books of any kind, be they fiction or nonfiction. It is an unfortunate reality and not a healthy one for our democracy. The late author Anthony Burgess once told of going through customs with his copy of James Joyce’s Ulysses. The agent observed the title of the volume and declared to Burgess, “That is a very dirty book.”
Of course the fellow had not read the book and probably never ventured to peruse Joyce’s literary masterpiece.
Prejudiced and parviscient individuals and organizations should never be the proprietors of what is suitable for anyone else to read.
In the case of young people, it is their parents and not the state who should determine what is appropriate. We should do everything to ensure that the youth of Utah and everywhere else in our country are given wide access to reading materials. Their enthusiasm and curiosity should be cultivated and encouraged if we want an informed and literate citizenry comprised of adults capable of critical thinking.
Joe Martin, Seattle, Washington