(no subject)

[felis_ultharus]

A parent has launched a challenge with Toronto's school board to take A Handmaid's Tale off the school reading list. He's naturally playing the religious persecution card.

Of course, I can't imagine an age where it's more vital to read this book. After all, the number of extreme fundamentalist Christians in our government has been growing -- there were 70 there before last election just in Prime Minister Stephen Harper's 124-member caucus, and it's no accident that Harper removed the word "equality" from the Status of Women's mandate, or that his party tried to sneak in the idea of a fetus-as-a-person in through the back door.

It's also no accident that Harper led the fight against same-sex marriage, and that he tried to re-open the debate. It's no accident that he tried to cut funding to all films he doesn't personally agree with.

I think this novel needs to be taught in every school. I think it needs to be read by every adult. The fact that there's once again a push to have it banned shows how necessary the book is. Everyone should set aside the time to re-read this book this year.

Comments

[em-fish.livejournal.com]

The father is also playing the "zero-tolerance" card by arguing that the characters use language that would not be appropriate if students said it on school grounds, so why is it ok for them to read it?

Imbecile.

[felis-ultharus.livejournal.com]

Yep. Though mostly I think he just feels it's threatening to him as a Christian.

But I bet he'd be the first to go ballistic if someone suggested taking down the Christmas decorations.

[bronnyelsp.livejournal.com]

He said if the book was anti-Islam, it wouldn't be allowed.

What piffle. If, eg, The Kite Runner was an assigned text, that would be perfectly valid.

[felis-ultharus.livejournal.com]

Agreed.

The Handmaid's Tale often appears on banned lists, but for the last few years it hasn't been a problem. But fundamentalist Christians in this country are becoming more militant.